A 34-year-old Silsoe woman has been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a horse.

Michelle Smith, of Newbury Lane, was banned from owning horses and ponies for two years after a four-day trial, which ended on April 17.

Bedfordshire Magistrates also gave Smith a two-year conditional discharge and ordered her to pay £250 in costs.

Morgan, a black gelding, was found in a collapsed state in a field on Ampthill Road, Silsoe, by the RSPCA in February 2007.

He was emaciated with many of his bones visible and the examining vet found that he had been suffering for at least two weeks.

Despite treatment, Morgan's condition deteriorated overnight and he had to be put to sleep on veterinary advice.

Smith claimed that she had not realised that the horse was in pain and thought he would recover.

But in sentencing, the district judge said Smith had "turned a blind eye" to the horse's condition.

RSPCA inspector Peter Warne said: "This horse was suffering due to lack of proper nutrition and the verdict shows that owners simply cannot just ignore problems with their animals. To allow an animal to get into this condition is inexcusable as there are plenty of welfare organisations, like the RSPCA, that owners can contact for help."