Gavan James Pratt, 59, of Girgarre, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to unreasonably failing to provide treatment for an injured animal and committing an act of cruelty on a group of 11 horses by failing to provide them with proper and sufficient food.
RSPCA prosecutor Graham Hambridge told the court the RSPCA, and a veterinarian, steward and welfare office from Racing Victoria, inspected 84 horses at Pratt’s two properties on March 4 last year.
They found about 40 horses at the first property in paddocks that did not have any natural pasture, and there was no supplementary feed such as hay or feed mix.
One of the horses, a thoroughbred mare named Demolition Diva, had a severe wound on her leg. Pratt told them it was about a month old and that she had not received vet treatment or pain management, Mr Hambridge said.
Another horse of concern — thoroughbred mare Bolsoeur — had a large mass on her lower muzzle suspected of being cancer, affecting her eating and leading to a decline in her body condition.
That horse’s colt, Ziggy, was also in poor body condition and had a wound on his fetlock that was four to six months old and was swollen and affecting his ability to walk.
Both horses also had their ribs visible.
The court heard 40 more horses were inspected at Pratt’s second property, with thoroughbred mare Sexy Diamond lame with a suspected abscess.
Mr Hambridge said other horses on both properties were significantly underweight, and lice were found on some.
When the RSPCA re-attended the properties three days later, they agreed Demolition Diva, Bolsoeur and Ziggy needed urgent medical treatment and that eight mares and a stallion were deficient in their nutritional intake.
Pratt surrendered Bolsoeur and Ziggy to the RSPCA.
The prosecutor admitted there were other horses on the properties in good condition.
Representing himself in court, Pratt said he had earmarked Bolsoeur and Ziggy to be put down, but he had not done it.
He also told the court he was a “passionate breeder” with a “real passion for genetics”.
Pratt said he had “got things wrong” on this occasion but had “better feed systems in place” now.
He also said the initial visit was in February, and “we were in a shocking dry summer”.
“We’ve had rain since, and I have three- to four-feet- (91cm to 1.3m) high feed now,” he said.
However, Magistrate Ian Watkins refuted this, asking why he did not buy feed at the time if he did not have any.
“You say when it rains, the grass grows well. Horses can’t wait for rain,” Mr Watkins said.
When arguing against any ban on owning horses, Pratt said the RSPCA matter was from 15 months ago.
“Now, all my horses are in excellent condition,” he said.
He also said he had bought hay and had practices now for working and de-licing the animals.
Mr Watkins, however, said there was no evidence before the court about any new practices that were in place on the property.
He was also scathing about how these horses had been treated, with a lack of nutrition and the untreated wounds.
“It is an appalling way to treat an animal,” Mr Watkins said.
He fined Pratt $5000 and ordered him to pay $136.70 in court costs.
Mr Watkins also ordered Pratt be disqualified from owning or being in charge of a horse for three years.
He also ruled that the RSPCA could inspect the properties at any time during the next three years.
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