A WOMAN has been jailed for neglecting a foal which has since been rehomed by Olympic dressage star Charlotte Dujardin.

Lisa Fletcher, aged 47, of Barn Meadow Road, Winchcombe, admitted two counts of causing suffering to two horses and one count of breaching a disqualification order banning her from keeping horses when she appeared in court last month.

Fletcher - who was previously banned from keeping horses for five years - was jailed for 16 weeks, ordered to pay £2,000 costs and disqualified from keeping equines for life when she appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Monday).

RSPCA inspector Suzi Smith said: “I am pleased that the sentence in this case reflects the severity of the offences.

“Without veterinary treatment the outcome for these two horses could have been very tragic.”

Inspector Smith was called to a DIY livery yard in December last year where she found two young horses.

“The foal was very, very thin," she said. "The vet discovered he had a severe lung infection and was riddled with worms. I don’t think he would have survived the week if we hadn’t got the veterinary care he needed.

“It was touch and go. He needed antibiotic injections twice a day and a great deal of TLC. Luckily he pulled through and has gone from rags to riches as he’s been adopted by Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin who has named him Santa.

“The other horse, a yearling called Frank, was also thin but has recovered well and we hope to find him a fantastic home in the future.”

Magistrates banned Lisa Fletcher last October from keeping horses for five years after she pleaded guilty to three offences of neglecting a grey Arab stallion called Raji by failing to explore the cause of his weight loss, breathing difficulties and overgrown hooves.