A man has been banned from keeping horses for three years after they were found in clear discomfort wearing winter coats in the middle of summer, a court heard.

Robert Fisk 47, of Wendals Close, Walpole St Peter, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday 9 and was found guilty of three charges under the Animal Welfare Act.

RSPCA inspector Dean Astillberry said: “The horses were clearly overheated in these warm winter coats in the middle of summer and the vet said this was likely to cause them to suffer.

“They were very lethargic, breathing heavily and in clear discomfort. They transformed once they got to the rescue centre.

“This was a case when the owner just wouldn’t listen to any advice about how to care for his horses and as a consequence they were put in danger, with their welfare compromised.

“As well as the coats, one of the horses was left with a painful injury to his leg and the veterinary advice on how it should have been treated was ignored.

“They were also left in a field with a makeshift fence made of metal stakes - which could have been perilous for them.”

Fisk was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a light bay mare named Roxy by failing to provide veterinary care for a painful hind limb mass.

He also failed to provide a suitable environment for a light bay mare named Roxy, a dark bay gelding called Oscar and a dark bay mare called Tess.

There was a further charge of failing to provide for the needs of light bay mare named Roxy, a dark bay gelding called Oscar and a dark bay mare called Tess by covering them with inappropriate rugs for the weather conditions.

He was disqualified from keeping horses for three years, given a three year conditional discharge and made to pay £750 costs.

The RSPCA was called in July 2014 after concerns were raised about the three horses. They were found in inappropriate conditions without the care they needed.

Fisk was issued with animal welfare advice about how to improve these conditions but when this went unheeded, a vet advised that the best thing for their welfare would be for the police to seize the horses and place them into RSPCA care.