A TAUNTON man who neglected an injured and emaciated elderly horse has been banned from keeping equines for 15 years and ordered to pay £1,200 in costs.

Mark Baker, of Lyngford Place, admitted three animal welfare offences following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

Alongside the disqualification order, Baker must carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Squealy, a 25-year-old horse who was on loan to Baker, was found shut in a dirty stable with two rugs on, one of which had slipped and rubbed until it caused a large open sore.

RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “As a result of this not being noticed and addressed, the rug continued to rub and caused a large ulcerating wound.

“The degree of granulation suggested the wound wasn’t recent and either had not been treated or hadn’t even been noticed.

“Squealy also had very worn painful teeth and it was very evident from the environment that he had been dribbling his food for a considerable time as large amounts of dried food was stuck to his stable door.

“He was hungry but unable to consume the calories needed to maintain good health.”

In their report, the specialist equine vet who examined him highlighted how he would have suffered for a prolonged period.

They said: “No attempt had been made to palliate the horse or alleviate his pain, let alone investigate the cause of his poor body condition.

Somerset County Gazette:

“He was not free from pain, injury or disease. His needs were not being met as specialist dental care was not sought or provided and his diet was not adequate given his additional needs.

“He was not free from hunger since he did not have access to a diet to maintain his health and vigour.

“He was exclusively confined to his stable in the barn alone and was denied the freedom to exhibit normal behaviour since he did not have company of his own kind.

“His environment was not comfortable given the wet and soiled bedding he was found on. He was not free from discomfort.

“From my findings, it is my opinion that pain and suffering had been ongoing for many months.”

Sadly, due to the severity of his condition, a decision was taken with the support of his owner who had loaned Squealy to Baker, for a vet to euthanise him on-site.

The judge said regarding disqualification, which Baker can not appeal for five years, that he had a ‘significant period to resolve the issues’, added: "Your actions resulted in the death of the elderly horse.

“Looking after an animal is a privilege and you failed in that privilege and the court cannot allow you to fail again.”