AN unemployed mother-of-four has been jailed and banned from keeping horses for five years after causing suffering to eight Shetland ponies.

Margaret Briggs, of Boltby, near Thirsk, admitted eight charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a Shetland pony and was sentenced to ten weeks for each offence, to run concurrently.

The RSPCA began an investigation into the 47-year-old’s animals in January last year, when they found the land on which her horses were grazing was unsuitable and there was not sufficient water.

Later visits to the farm found conditions had worsened, with one of the horses having a body-scale of zero, meaning its frame was almost skeletal.

Kevin Campbell, prosecuting at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court, said: “The horse had been attempting to stand and was very clearly distressed.

“The vet concluded that all the horses were suffering and if it were to continue they would definitely die.”

The court heard that Briggs’ difficult personal circumstances were making it hard for her to look after the horses.

In mitigation, Alan Meehan said: “She, like a lot of young girls, developed a love affair with horses from an early age.

“She has never been before the court for any crime or similar offence and has an otherwise unblemished husbandry record.

“She simply took on too much, travelling to Hull five days a week to complete an anaesthetist’s course and tending her four children, who still live at home. She is a talented lady with an otherwise good character, but she could not cope.”

Sheila Jefferson, chairwoman of the bench, said: “Due to the serious nature of these offences we have no option but to impose a custodial sentence.”