Two women from Cumbria have been banned from keeping equines for eight years after failing to get urgent veterinary attention for horses in their care following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

The sisters — 67-year-old Rosie Nelson and 74-year-old Violet — pleaded guilty to four animal welfare charges in relation to 12 horses when they appeared at Carlisle Crown Court on November 28.

As well as the eight-year ban on keeping equines, the pair were also handed a ten-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days. They were ordered to pay £800 costs each.

A judge described the case as “incompetence rather than deliberate cruelty”, but added it should have been obvious the care was inadequate.

In mitigation, the court gave the sisters credit for their guilty pleas. The court heard how the defendants realised in hindsight that they should have done more and they never intended to cause harm or suffering.

‘He was in incredible pain’

The RSPCA, World Horse Welfare and officers from Cumbria Constabulary attended Low Woodbank in Carlisle in September 2023 and found 30 horses on site — 14 in a barn and the rest in an adjoining field.

A vet found a number of equines to be suffering from ill health which had not been treated, including laminitis, dental issues and untreated infections. One pony was euthanised on site.

“The spine, ribs and shoulder were very prominent and the neck was narrow due to the poor condition seen,” said the vet. “On arrival, the horse was down on the floor of its pen. When he got up off the floor, he was in incredible pain and was rocking back off the front feet and trying to hobble to move.

“The pony could only shuffle when moving and was unable to walk properly due to pain. When stood in the pen, he was weight shifting and had a very painful facial expression.

“The heart rate was severely elevated at 68 beats per minute and the respiratory rate was markedly elevated at 48 breaths per minute. This is a response to the severe pain that the horse was experiencing.”

Deformed hooves

X-rays showed the pony had severe laminitis and “should have been receiving pain relief and euthanasia long before it got to this severe stage”.

The vet concluded that the pony had been suffering for months, possibly as long as a year.

“The hooves were severely overgrown and deformed and there was severe thrush in all four feet which were packed deep with faeces,” they added.

All remaining 29 horses were taken into the possession of the police and placed into RSPCA care. They have since been nursed back to health and many are looking for new homes.

“These horses were found with various health problems, for which veterinary treatment had not been sought, and sadly one pony was so poorly he had to be put to sleep,” said RSPCA Inspector Larsson said.

“I am pleased that many of the ponies rescued are now in good health and will be rehomed. I would like to add how partnership working with other animal charities — in this case World Horse Welfare — is crucial, and we would like to thank them for their assistance as well as Cumbria police.”