Owner sentenced after horse found morbidly obese and in extreme pain

A woman who allowed her horse to become visibly overweight and struggle to move has been sentenced.

Donna Parley ignored her six-year-old horse Geordie’s deteriorating condition for at least a year, causing him extreme pain and lameness.

Concerns were raised for Geordie’s welfare through the Scottish SPCA’s helpline in September 2022.

An inspector visited Parley’s property and found the horse in a severe state, with overgrown hooves that were cracked and hot to the touch. His legs were also warm and swollen.

The inspector said: “He was dull and showed no interest on my arrival. He was visibly overweight, very lame on all four feet and struggling to move freely and breathe. It was heartbreaking to see him in such terrible pain.”

Due to the serious concerns for Geordie’s welfare, the inspector called a local vet to attend for urgent care.

Upon examination, his respiratory rate was found to be 60 breaths per minute, significantly above the normal rate of eight to 12. His heart rate was also 60 beats per minute, almost double the normal of 32 to 36.

Geordie was immediately removed from the property and taken for appropriate care and feeding at the Society’s Animal Rescue & Rehoming Centre in Aberdeen.

It was later confirmed that Geordie had chronic laminitis, a painful condition whereby the tissues inside the hoof become inflamed and lose their grip. His X-rays also showed his feet had not been properly trimmed in at least a year.

He was given a body score condition of five out of five, which meant he was morbidly obese.

Parley was handed a five-year ban on owning and keeping horses after failing to seek veterinary treatment and regular visits from the farrier to deal with her horse’s extremely poor state.

Parley was sentenced at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on September 24 after being found guilty of two animal welfare charges related to her neglect of the six-year-old horse.

Reacting to the sentencing, the inspector said: “We welcome the Sheriff’s decision. Parley showed complete disregard for Geordie’s welfare, proving she isn’t capable of properly caring for an animal.

“She ought to have known that keeping a horse in such terrible conditions would have detrimentally affected their welfare. Once Geordie developed laminitis, it would have also been obvious he was in severe pain, and she should’ve sought immediate veterinary treatment to alleviate his suffering.

“We hope this sentencing sends a clear message that animal neglect will not be tolerated in Scotland.”