One pony was put down by a vet and another was found dead

The suffering endured by the animals brought a magistrate to tears when she came to sentence Renee Springett, 44.

The mother-of-four from Llansilin near Welshpool admitted four charges at a hearing in Welshpool.

Two of the ponies died while the RSPCA managed to save the other two found on land in the village of Guilsfield.

One pony had to be put down by a vet and a foal was found dead. All four animals were malnourished and suffered varying levels of parasitic infection.

We have listened with horror at the cruelty endured by the horses Jean Gethin Jones, magistrate

Huw Wyn Williams, prosecuting, told magistrates that an RSPCA inspector discovered the animals in March this year.

'Nothing to eat'

Mr Williams said the ponies had no straw or hay to eat, there was very little grazing and the area where the animals stood was muddy.

"In the field he {the RSPCA inspector} found five animals. A grey mare was lying on her side and the inspector was unable to bring the animal to its feet.

"He called the vet and tried feeding the horse. In essence, there was nothing there for them to eat."

Mr Williams said the inspector returned to the field two weeks later to find a ginger and white foal had died.

During his second visit the inspector noticed that an animal feeder contained the same straw and there was no fresh food for the ponies.

Two of the ponies were rescued by the RSPCA

Mr Williams added that a David Martin, a local vet, had compiled a report about the animals' condition.

Mr Martin said all the animals were malnourished and all suffered varying levels of parasitic infection because worming tablets had not been administered.

James Mansell, defending, said Mrs Springett accepted she was negligent but had not set out to intentionally harm the ponies.

He added that the animals were feral ponies and worming tablets had been added to their feed.

Springett had visited her animals but failed to appreciate their poor state, said Mr Mansell.

'Sadly lacking'

Sentencing, chairman of the magistrates Jean Gethin Jones told Springett:"We have listened with horror at the cruelty endured by the horses. If it was not for your responsibilities we would definitely be considering a custodial sentence.

"You have clearly no knowledge of how to deal with equines. We are prohibiting you from keeping or owning equines for life.

"We would have liked to have seen some sort of remorse today but that was sadly lacking."

Springett who admitted the charges at a hearing last month was also given 240 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of more than �5,700.

Outside court, RSPCA inspector Phil Lewis, who discovered the ponies, said it was one of the worst cases of neglect he had ever seen.