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A woman from Middlesex has been banned from keeping horses after one of her horses was found in an emaciated condition.

Jennifer Balmforth, 67, of Heatherdean Mansions, Cambridge Road pleaded guilty at a previous hearing on Friday 23 September 2011 at Reigate Magistrates Court to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for causing unnecessary suffering to ‘Iggi’, a 23 year-old 16.2hh bay mare.

Earlier this week (Wednesday 12 October 2011), Balmforth received a 10 year disqualification from keeping equines, was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, and pay a total of £4,261 in costs.

The court heard how World Horse Welfare Field Officer Ted Barnes received a call from a concerned member of the public on Monday 11 April this year about the poor condition of a horse in a field along Chalk Lane in Epsom, Surrey.

The following day, Ted Barnes, accompanied by RSPCA Inspector Liz Wheeler, a vet and a local police officer, visited the site where they found ‘Iggi’ in a very thin condition with a lice infestation and suffering with hair loss.

It was agreed that ‘Iggi’ should be removed from the site and later was signed over to World Horse Welfare.

After the sentencing, Ted Barnes said: “I am extremely pleased with the sentencing of Ms Balmforth as she had a clear disregard for the welfare of her horse. The disqualification will hopefully go some way to deter her from ever owning equines again.

“Iggi was in such a poor condition and if left in the care of Ms Balmforth I am sure she would have deteriorated even further.”

Iggi is currently being rehabilitated at our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Snetterton, Norfolk.