A FOREST woman has been ordered to pay more than £1,400 in fines and costs after being found guilty of failing to meet the welfare needs of two horses.

Tina Hodge of Cullimore View, Ruspidge was found guilty after a two day trial at Cheltenham magistrates' court.

She was charged with failing to ensure a dark bay horse named Star received veterinary care for an injury and not providing hoof care for a piebald pony called Lucky. Magistrates found her guilty and fined her £220 and ordered her to pay £1,200 in costs.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was called in March 2013 and inspector Pippa Hodge found Star with an untreated rug sore.

Three months later, in June 2013, Lucky was found at Tina Hodge's business at Coleford Road, Bream where she has a licence for a riding establishment.

He was found with feet curled up into "Aladdin's slippers" and had not been exercised and had apparently been in his stable for seven months.

Tina Hodge had previously been advised on caring for horses from the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.

RSPCA inspector Suzi Smith, who investigated Lucky's case, said: "I am pleased that this case has now been resolved.

"The defendant said that Lucky was difficult to catch and that's why his hooves were in such an awful state, but we managed to catch and load him onto transport, as well as trim his hooves, quite easily.

"There can be no excuse for someone who keeps horses not to provide them with the most basic care to meet their needs and that includes ensuring they receive veterinary care and farriery when they need it.

"If they can't cope with this they need to seek help."

World Horse Welfare field officer Phil Jones said: "This case is sadly typical of the types of cases we deal with. "We regularly see owners who have more horses than they can cope with meaning that the animals do not get the level of care and attention they need and the situation can escalate into a welfare problem.

"World Horse Welfare would always advise that if horse owners are feeling overwhelmed or need help coping they should get in touch early, ask for help and try to follow the guidance given to ensure that the best option is taken for horse welfare."

Lucky was taken in by Blue Cross and has been found a new home. Star has also gone to a new home.