Karen Gorrie was convicted of one offence in Dubbo Local Court on March 4 and fined $1500 with a portion of the fines ordered to RSPCA NSW. 

A statement released by the RSPCA said the five horses were found by RSPCA inspectors on January 16 on two properties 20km apart. 

"At the first property, inspectors found 24 mixed-breed horses with no pasture available, and no evidence of supplementary feeding," the statement read.

"The inspectors were concerned for two horses in poor body condition, with rib, spine, and hip bones clearly visible. No one was on the property at the time of inspection.

"At the second property, inspectors met the defendant, where there were 32 mixed-breed horses in varying condition. Inspectors were concerned for three horses in poor body condition, who all had rib, spine, and hip bones visible." 

The statement said inspectors issued written directions requiring veterinary assessment and supplementary feeding plans for the horses. 

In an interview with inspectors Ms Gorrie admitted she owned and was the person in charge of the horses. 

One of them had been in her care for nearly 30 years. 

During the interview she asserted the horses were in poor condition due to age, poor teeth or as a result of ticks, and admitted not having sough veterinary treatment for the poor body condition.

Four of the horses were euthanised after being inspected by the veterinarian.

During the sentencing proceedings Magistrate Gary Wilson said the horses were obviously suffering from “a significant degree of malnutrition and for a person to allow that deterioration to occur resulting in the horses to be euthanised is quite disturbing.”

The statement released by the RSPCA said the organisation was sensitive to the difficulties stock owners are facing as a result of the drought.