Woman handed suspended jail sentence after starving horse was left ‘like a skeleton’ and later put to sleep
A woman from Essex has been sentenced after an Appaloosa horse was left severely underweight, suffering from skin disease and without the basic care he desperately needed.
Coral Anderson, from the Mayland area near Chelmsford, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a horse named Doodles.
The court heard Anderson failed to properly investigate or treat Doodles’ dramatic weight loss and deteriorating condition. She also failed to provide an adequate diet or an appropriate worm-control programme, while the horse was suffering from a skin condition affecting his legs and body.
Concerns had previously been raised by a British Horse Society welfare officer, who had offered Anderson advice. Contact was later lost after Doodles was moved to another yard, prompting the officer to alert the RSPCA in March 2024.
When an RSPCA animal rescue officer attended, Doodles was wearing two rugs — but his condition was so poor that his bones and withers could still be seen protruding underneath them. His body was described as looking as though the rugs had simply been draped over a skeleton.
An equine vet examined Doodles and found him to have a body condition score of zero out of five. He weighed just 212kg, and the vet believed he had been suffering for at least two to three months, possibly longer.
Doodles was taken into RSPCA care and initially made significant progress. Over the following 18 months he gained weight and his condition improved.
Tragically, the lasting effects of the neglect had already taken their toll. His health later deteriorated again and vets eventually recommended that he be put to sleep on welfare grounds.
RSPCA Inspector Emma Beynon described Doodles’ condition as among the most severe she had encountered, saying his health had declined because he had not received even basic care or veterinary attention when he began losing weight.
Gemma Stanford, director of welfare at the British Horse Society, said the case had required a major multi-agency effort and welcomed the court outcome.
Anderson was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation activity days.
She must also pay £600 in prosecution costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
She has been banned from owning horses for 10 years.
