A WOMAN with responsibility for hundreds of horses and ponies on sites across East Lancashire was unable to look after them all properly, a court heard.

Blackburn magistrates heard a catalogue of alleged neglect that led to 49 charges against Mary Louise Smith, the wife of Great Harwood scrap yard owner Tommy Smith.

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The court heard harrowing details of one foal that could not stand unaided and eventually had to be put down, as did several other animals.

An equine respiratory ailment was rife among the herds of horses kept in fields around Great Harwood, Clayton-le-Moors, Langho and Oswaldtwistle, and many of the animals had overgrown hooves, lice and worm infestation, and were in poor condition.

Ian O’Donnell, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said the charges all related to Spring 2014, when the RSPCA, Horse and Pony Protection Association and police personnel made numerous discoveries of horses that had been neglected.

Warning notices were sent to Smith, but throughout the process she was difficult to contact. Several horses were signed over to the RSPCA and others were seized by the police when Smith could not be traced.

Mr O’Donnell said officials from animal welfare organisations and the police had organised several ‘round-ups’ so vets could examine the horses. As well as strangles, malnutrition, overgrown hooves, and lice and worm infestations, they found evidence of sunburn and rain scald.

Mr O’Donnell said Smith had admitted that at the time her husband was unable to help and she had limited time to look after the horses following the departure of the employee who had spent most time with them.

She had four children, who were all home educated, to look after, ran a cafe and was in charge of the scrap yard in her husband’s absence.

He said in one interview she mentioned the horse meat trade and said people had dumped horses on her when they heard she was interested.

“She conceded she had a different attitude to what she referred to as good stock and bad stock,” said Mr O’Donnell. “The RSPCA’s case is that she has got herself into a situation where she had far too many horses to care for.

“The sheer volume of horses was simply too much for her. The situation developed despite several offers from the RSPCA to take the animals and rehome them.

“In the main she refused, despite the concerns of the RSCA, HAPPA and the Donkey Sanctuary, to take steps to improve the situation of these horses.”

Smith 38, of Meadow Street, Great Harwood, pleaded not guilty to 49 charges under the Animal Welfare Act.

The trial continues.