A Dunfermline equine trainer left three horses in such an emaciated state that they were in danger of dying, a court has heard.
Jackie Kemp, Balmule Farm, has gone on trial accused of causing unnecessary suffering to the animals at her horse training academy, Kingsbarn Equestrian Centre.
Ms Kemp, 48, denies mistreating a black mare, named Destiny, a grey mare, called Mabel, and a bright bay gelding, named Jasper, at the Wester Shieldhill facility, contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006
It is alleged she failed to provide adequate nutrition for the horses, failed to treat them for lice or provide necessary dental treatment and failed to wean foals from the two mares.
She also faces charges that she intentionally obstructed SSPCA inspectors by removing the horses from the centre when they were making arrangements to transfer them, then refused to state where she had taken the animals.
At Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Monday, Sheriff Craig McSherry heard evidence from two Scottish inspectors called to investigate the animals’ condition on March 28 2012.
Inspector Leanne McPake said: “We had concerns for the management and body condition of some of the horses.
“There were hay bales with plastic still wrapped around them where the horses were eating the plastic. It was a cold day and there was no shelter for the horses, who had ill-fitting and ripped rugs. There were also temporary stables that could have been dangerous to the horses.”
Both inspectors described the horses as being extremely thin and in poor condition, particularly the black mare, Destiny, who had protruding ribs and spine.
Inspector Nicola Liddell said: “Destiny had a black foal at foot, named Dandy, that she was still feeding at about 10 months. The guidelines are six to eight months.
The inspectors returned on March 30 with equine vet Peter Burton. He told the court that on a weight scale of one to five, with five being obese and 0 emaciated beyond belief, that Destiny could be ranked as low as 0.5.
When queried by depute fiscal Tracy Plant why she might be in such a condition, he replied: “Multiple reasons. She was feeding a foal that hadn’t been weaned so she was feeding the foal and not herself. She also had a foal inside her that was going into the last trimester of pregnancy.”
He added: “My conclusion was that the horses had suffered neglect and I wanted them removed to get the treatment they needed.”
Asked by Ms Plant if the condition of the horses could have been fatal, Mr Burton stated: “If it continued, then yes.”
The trial continues.UPDATE: Ms Kemp was cleared of the charges after Tuesday’s evidence. Click here for more.