Ararat breeder Christine Weisheit charged with 65 animal cruelty offences

Ex-racehorses were among dozens of starving, mistreated and injured horses discovered at an Ararat property of horrors, a court has heard.

A Victorian woman has been accused of mistreating more than 100 starving horses after a mass horse graveyard was discovered at her Warrak property.

Christine Weisheit, 64, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday for a contested hearing where she pleaded not guilty to 65 animal cruelty charges.

RSPCA inspectors and a vet visited Weisheit’s 270 acre Warrak Rd property near Ararat in January 2016 where they discovered several horses with “significant health and welfare” issues.

Inspectors targeted Weisheit after receiving a tip-off from a member of the public who was concerned by the state of several of the “100-150” horses at the property.

RSPCA prosecutor Amelia Beech told the court a “graveyard” with 20-30 dead horses in various “stages of decay” were located at the rear of the property.

“Ten horses were identified as in immediate risk, that’s immediate risk of their health and welfare,” Ms Beech said.

Inspectors returned days later with search warrants and discovered another 13 horses in need of “urgent treatment”, the court heard.

The court also heard two ponies suffering from “severe emancipation” and “parasite burden” were unable to be revived and had to be euthanised.

Officers also seized eight cats which required urgent care and treatment.

RSPCA inspectors had to put out feed and water for the starving horses which remained at the property.

The RSPCA mobilised the state agriculture Minister to approve a notice of intention for seizure of the animals which was served on Weisheit on February 5.

The basis for the order was the urgent need to protect the horses suffering from “widespread” starvation.

Inspectors returned and discovered the health and condition of 89 horses had declined since their last visit.

The Minister later ordered all animals at the property to be seized, the court was told.

The RSPCA seized another 92 horses – all of which were assessed by vets.

Some of the horses were “extremely unwell” and rushed to Golden Plains Equine Hospital but one was euthanised and another died, the court was told.

The prosecution presented evidence to the court including graphic photos of starving and deceased horses.

Images of decaying horses allegedly discovered in the graveyard were also tendered to the court.

RSPCA senior inspector Katherine Mountney, who gave evidence, said Weisheit’s property was “barren and dry”.

Ms Mountney said most of the horses were underweight and undernourished and housed in paddocks without sufficient shelter, food and water.

The experienced inspector also told the court some horses she had seen alive at an earlier visit were later found dead.

Ms Beech said she will call further witnesses including vets and other animal welfare experts.

Luke Howson, for Weisheit, has yet to present his client’s defence.

The scheduled four-day hearing before Magistrate Rod Crisp continues.

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