A WOMAN has been banned from keeping horses after she left her starving horse on land with no grass and contaminated water.

Jodie Lee Gearing was handed the disqualification by magistrates in Portsmouth, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

The offence related to failing to take steps to investigate and address the cause of poor bodily condition and weight loss of a horse named Olivia

A vet discovered that Olivia was dehydrated, and that she was in a poor body condition.

It comes after she was found on land with insufficient grazing due to poor grass cover and no supplementary feed.

Olivia also had inadequate water, with the only water present in the field green and contaminated with debris.

RSPCA Inspector Maia Corbett, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Caring for horses is a huge responsibility.

"Those caring for animals also have a legal responsibility to seek veterinary treatment for animals when they require it. It is never acceptable to leave an animal to suffer.”

Gearing, of Fayre Road, Fareham, was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and 80 rehabilitation activity days.

The 43-year-old, who admitted the offence, was also fined £100 and ordered to pay £300 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.