TWO horses were found with their rib cages protruding through their emaciated skin after their owner did not give them enough food.

Livery yard owner Lynda Smith also ignored attempts by an RSPCA officer to contact her about the condition of her animals.

The animal welfare charity received a complaint about the condition of the two horses, who were owned by Smith and kept at stables at Lickfold Farm in Wiggonholt, Pulborough.

Inspector Tony Woodley investigated immediately and when he saw the state of the two emaciated and malnourished horses at the yard he tried to contact Smith. He phoned her and left notices at the stables but was ignored so he called a vet who confirmed the horses were suffering. The animals were rescued by police and are being cared for by the RPSCA.

Mr Woodley said: "For six months these poor horses suffered because Lynda Smith failed to get a vet out to them, even though they rapidly were losing body condition. Quite simply these horses were not provided with adequate feed and reasonable level of care. Smith ignored my attempts to contact her to offer advice on improving their welfare. Both Ava and Hamish had high worm burdens, their teeth were in desperate need of specialist equine dentistry and they were emaciated.

"Thankfully both horses have been in RSPCA for some time now and are looking fantastic. It’s sad to think they horses suffered so much but now this case had concluded they can go on to find the caring forever homes they deserve."

On Friday at Horsham Magistrates' Court she was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to horses called Hamish and Ava between between August last year and February.

The RSPCA prosecuted the 34-year-old after discovering the ill treatment earlier this year.

Smith, also known as Lynda Kennedy, of Beaumont Park, Littlehampton, was convicted of three offences of causing unnecessary suffering under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, but acquitted of an allegation of poor welfare relating to a horse’s teeth. She was fined £900, ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Factfile

THE RSPCA says there are 4,500 horses at risk in England and Wales.

In 2014 the charity received more than 82,000 calls about horses and 75,610 reports of neglect and 1,425 reported as abandoned. It secured 367 convictions on horse-related welfare offences.

At the moment it has more than 600 in its care and it takes more than 400 days to make sure a horse is cared for and ready to be rehomed.

To find out more about rehoming a rescue horse from the RSPCA please visit rspca.org.uk/findapet/rehomeahorse