An emaciated horse had to be put to sleep after it was found in a skeletal state near a remote Perthshire farmhouse.
The horse called Destiny fell seriously ill after being left to eat deadly dry sugar beet.
SSPCA inspectors found another horse, Farrah, starving in the same field near Methven.
Owner Donna Breen appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on Tuesday and admitted causing both horses unnecessary suffering.
The 43-year-old now faces a ban on keeping animals.
Poor diets
Breen admitted that throughout most of November and December 2019 she caused Destiny and Farrah to suffer “by act or omission”.
The court heard she failed to give either animal an adequate nutritious diet and didn’t call vets when they were ill.
Court papers state Farrah suffered a period of starvation and became “severely emaciated”.
Destiny was euthanized after Breen failed to prevent her from eating dry sugar beat.
She also didn’t get veterinary assistance when she too became emaciated.
Both horses were in Breen’s care at her then home at Wester Sunnyside, near Methven.
Part of the charge that alleged Destiny also suffered starvation, as well as a condition known as Choke, was dropped by prosecutors.
Deprivation and disqualification orders
Fiscal depute Rebecca Kynaston said: “The crown is seeking a deprivation order, which would essentially sever any rights to the horse that survived.
“We would also be seeking a disqualification order that would prevent the accused from owning, keeping, providing services to or taking charge of animals for any purpose.”
Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, said: “This has been a very anxious matter for Ms Breen.
“She has no animals at the moment.”
Breen, of Nimmo Place, Perth, will be sentenced next month.
Why is dry sugar beet so dangerous?
Dry sugar beet pellets absorb moisture inside an animal and swell, which can prove fatal.
Sugar beet roots must be soaked before feeding, according to manufacturer’s directions.
