Ban for owner of “thinnest” horses RSPCA inspector had ever seen

Leeds magistrates told Philip Ewen he could not own horses for seven years after the 62-year-old admitted causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

The court heard Ewen kept thoroughbred geldings Bobb and Sonnie in a field off Mill Lane in South Milford.

RSPCA inspectors were called after a member of the public raised concerns about their conditions in August last year.

But Ewen failed to take action after being told by a vet that he needed to get the animals – both in their twenties – wormed.

About five weeks later another horse owner, Joy Anderson, found the pair in a worse state.

The court heard Bobb, who lost about 40kgs in weight during that time, was barely able to stand because he was so weak.

Mrs Anderson took the horses to her own stables because of her concerns about their health.

Prosecutor Andrew Davidson told the court: “Everybody at the stables was in tears due to the condition the horses were in.”

RSPCA inspector Carol Neale said: “Bobb especially was the thinnest horse I’ve ever seen alive. I was shocked when I saw their condition – and I’ve been an inspector for 23 years, so that’s saying a lot.”

The court heard Ewen, of Middleton Terrace, Ulleskelf, near Selby, had owned horses for 40 years and had never been in trouble before. He was given a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £2,400 in legal costs.

The two horses have now made a full recovery and are in need of new homes. Call Carol Neale on 0300 1234999.