A farmer who starved and neglected more than 100 horses, leaving many dead and others skeletal, weak and distressed, says he was saving feed for his more lucrative sheep.
Glen Joseph Frecklington, 52, has pleaded guilty to a string of animal suffering charges, after about 140 sick and dead horses were found in a small, dry paddock west of Orange, NSW, on May 6.
An RSPCA inspector went to the Bowan Park property after a public complaint, finding several decomposing carcasses and many other animals lying prone.
Police from the rural crime prevention team visited the property the following day and found 37 dead animals, some believed to have been decomposing for up to a year.
The dead and critically ill animals had "paddle marks" in the dust around their bodies, indicating their weakness and repeated unsuccessful attempts to stand up.
A cow in a neighbouring paddock was also found with collapsed hindquarters, an injury that likely happened long before the animal was discovered.
"These observations were indicative of prolonged suffering, pain and deterioration occurring over a period of time," said a police document tendered to Orange Local Court and released on Monday.
The RSPCA and police gave the surviving horses hay, cut fencing to allow them to graze and ordered Frecklington feed them and get vet care within 24 hours.
After he was given the order, Frecklington contacted police and admitted responsibility, the document said.
"I haven't been feeding them," he told police.
He told investigators he did not seek care for the horses for "financial reasons".
"(Frecklington) further admitted that during this period, he deliberately prevented the horses from accessing a neighbouring paddock that contained significantly better feed," the court document said.
"He stated he was saving it for sheep, as they provided a greater financial return.
"(Frecklington) stated his decisions were based on financial gain, explaining that the sheep gained income while the horses did not."
Rural crime officers returned on May 8 to find Frecklington had not obeyed the welfare order, with several horses in "serious distress", unresponsive or unable to stand.
Nine horses had to be put down that day.
Another several dozen were euthanised over the following days, after police found 75 horses and foals packed into a small paddock.
During one search, officers found a newly dead mare with a foal that would not leave its side.
Frecklington was arrested on June 25 and charged with 270 offences.
"The accused's failure to provide proper and sufficient feed, veterinary treatment and appropriate husbandry caused unreasonable, unnecessary and prolonged suffering," the document said.
Frecklington pleaded guilty to 67 charges of causing prolonged suffering to animals and four charges of failing to provide food and veterinary care in late October.
Prosecutors have indicated the remaining charges - including many counts of aggravated animal cruelty - may be withdrawn when Frecklington faces a sentencing hearing in January.
