A man from Cardiff has been banned from keeping horses for seven years after he left his pony tied up to her cart in a supermarket car park while he went to the pub.

James Price admitted neglecting Coco, a two-year-old skewbald cob mare, who was found in a Co-op car park in Plympton in Devon in a poor state of health and without any food or water in August 2023.

Concerned members of the public reported the situation to the police who called a vet and the RSPCA before taking Coco to a local stables. On arrival at the stables, Coco drank 25 litres of water and then consumed another 25 litres of water overnight. She was also very hungry.

At Cardiff Magistrates Court, Price was charged with two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in a case brought by the RSPCA.

‘Nails sticking out sideways from her feet’

“She had a thin neck, her coat was dull, her nose had sunburn lesions and there was a sore on the right-hand side where the noseband part of her rope headcollar had been too tight,” said the vet who treated Coco.

“On her lower right hand chest area was an area of broken skin with a scab forming where her driving harness had rubbed.

“Her hooves were ragged and evidence was seen that she had been recently shod, but there were three nails remaining which were sticking out sideways from her hind feet.”

As well as being disqualified from keeping horses for seven years, which he cannot appeal for five years, Price also received a 24-month community order. This includes 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days for each of the two offences, to run concurrently, and he was ordered to pay a fine of £200 plus £250 costs.

“I’d like to thank the members of the public for reporting their concerns about Coco to the local police, which allowed us then to be contacted and investigate her suffering,” said RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson.

“Coco was being treated in a completely inappropriate way, did not have her basic needs such as food and water provided, and at two years old, was far too young to be driving a cart and being worked.

“She also did not have a microchip, which is now mandatory for all horses,” continued Miranda.

“Coco was signed over to our care by Price before the case concluded. I’m pleased to say she has made a good recovery and is looking for a new home.”

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