A Somerset horse owner has been sentenced after pleading guilty to multiple welfare offences following an investigation by the RSPCA.
Carol Easter, 62, of Wood Lane, Stawell, appeared before Taunton Magistrates Court on 31 March, where she admitted three charges relating to the condition and care of horses on her property.
The case followed a warrant executed on 17 April 2025 by police, supported by the RSPCA. Independent veterinary surgeons assessed the horses on site and found 11 — Hullabaloo, Hendrix, Imogen, Poppy, Enchanted, Mick, Charlie, Fiesta, Shadow, Frappe and Fourlee — to be underweight.
Nine of the horses were subsequently removed, while two were euthanised with Easter’s consent due to the severity of their condition.
Further charges related to the treatment of two individual horses. A Shetland pony named Charlie had not received veterinary attention for a penile tumour which, according to the examining vet, would have been clearly visible for around six weeks.
Another horse, a gelding called Shadow, was found to have untreated dental disease, believed to have been present for approximately two months.
Experienced owner ‘should have been aware’
In a report presented to the court, the attending vet highlighted concerns over management practices at the yard.
Easter was described as running a large livery yard with significant experience, and therefore should have recognised the declining condition of the horses.
“Ms Easter was running a large livery yard with a considerable number of horses, both hers and other peoples, and hence she had considerable experience with horses and should have been aware of the poor condition in which the horses were found,” said the vet.
The report stated that a structured worming programme was either absent or not followed, contributing significantly to the horses’ poor body condition.
“It is clear from the admissions made in her prepared statement, as well as the comments made to the veterinary surgeons on the day, that Ms Easter either did not have a [worming] plan or did not follow it,” added the vet. “This was responsible for a significant element of the poor body condition of the horses on the property.”
Sentencing
The report also noted that insufficient forage access led to excessive competition within the herd, preventing some horses from meeting their nutritional needs.
The vet added that a competent owner would have identified the deterioration in condition and sought veterinary advice.
Easter, who runs a mindfulness retreat offering equine-assisted activities, was handed a 12-month community order and must complete 100 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay a total of £564 in costs.
In mitigation, Easter attributed the horses’ condition to winter weather and initially suggested the presence of lawsonia on the land. However, veterinary investigations found no evidence of the disease in any of the horses.
RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson said: “Meeting the needs of animals in your care is an essential component of animal welfare. In this instance, the needs of a number of horses were sadly not being met.”
Images © RSPCA
