A couple from Templecombe, Somerset, were disqualified from keeping livestock for 10 years this week (5 May) after they previously admitted causing unnecessary suffering to their two horses at South Somerset Magistrates’ Court.

Colin Loader and Hayley Loader of Landseer Crescent, North Cheriton pleaded guilty in March to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to piebald gelding Shamrock and bay Exmoor gelding Smudge.

As well as being disqualified from keeping animals apart from poultry and domestic animals for 10 years, they were each ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work, given 8-week nighttime curfews and had to pay £200 in costs plus a £60 victim surcharge each.

The court heard that the RSPCA was alerted to concerns about the horses in October 2014. Upon visiting, inspector Marie Griffiths found Shamrock in a terrible state. His back legs (pictured above) had a large maggot infestation which was eating away the flesh. The flesh was so rotten on one of his feet that his hoof had started to separate from his leg. Smudge (pictured right) was suffering from severe laminitis and could not move. The pedal bone in one leg had rotated leaving him in a great deal of pain.

Vets estimated that the two horses had suffered for three months.

Inspector Griffiths said: “I could not believe the state these horses were in. Shamrock’s wounds were horrific, with his flesh being eaten away and the smell was terrible. His condition was so poor that vets decided the only thing to do to relieve his suffering was to put him to sleep.

“We tried our best with Smudge over some time, but nothing was helping and the laminitis had got to the stage that he was in so much pain he too had to be put to sleep.

“We do understand that people can find themselves unable to afford veterinary treatment, but we all need to understand that it is our responsibility as owners to make sure our animals get treatment as soon as possible and certainly before it ever gets to the stage where they are suffering.”