A young Collie couple who starved a thoroughbred stallion to death have been fined $4000.

The couple, both 20, were sentenced in the Collie Magistrates Court on Wednesday, after a report of cruelty was received by the RSPCA in May last year.

After a call to the RSPCA Cruelty Hotline an inspector found the horse, named Rio,  in a small fenced off area, with his ribs, hips and spine clearly visible.

The horse was also observed “wind sucking” and eating faeces. There was no hay or horse feed seen on the property.