A 24-YEAR-OLD man has pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his horse.

The 20-month-old horse, which had to be put down, had collapsed when it was found after the RSPCA was alerted by a member of the public.

Abraham Rossiter, of Beechwood Drive, Meopham, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to his horse by failing to provide veterinary care as well as failing to exercise reasonable care and supervision in respect of the protection of an animal.

Maidstone Magistrates’ Court yesterday (July 16) heard how the RSPCA, police officers and a veterinary surgeon found the horse lying on dirty straw bedding on February 20 close to a farm at Teston near Maidstone.

Prosecutor Ellie Bryant said: “The horse was making groaning and crying noises but was not attempting to move.

“They found the horse very thin in condition and breathing with a rattle.

“The pulse was not audible and its mucus membranes were a toxic pink colour.

“The horse had been caused to suffer as a result of not receiving any treatment.

“The vet said the horse would have been down for at least two hours and noticeably sick for two to three days.”

The court heard that unemployed Rossiter and his family had received threats which prevented him from seeing the horse regularly.

Claire Bennett, mitigating, said: “It’s fair to say this is not a case borne out of knowing neglect of the horse.

“It’s a case borne out of ignorance of what was an appropriate level of care.”

She added: “The threats his family were facing no doubt were a factor causing him to take his eye off the ball and the level of care he would have hoped to provide, he felt unable to do so at the time.

“This is not someone who has no respect for animals, one would hope that his lesson has been truly learnt.”

Rossiter will be sentenced at the court on August 6.