Thomas and Gillian McDonald failed to seek treatment when Storm, a 26-year-old horse, and Dylan, a grey pony developed a crippling hoof condition.

When RSPCA inspectors visited stables at Low Moorsley, near Hetton, they found the two animals struggling to walk and with severely overgrown hooves.

A vet diagnosed the pair as suffering from laminitis, which can cause bones in the horses's foot to separate from the hoof.

And maggots were found in one of 20-year-old Dylan's hooves.

RSPCA prosecutor Clive McCaig showed the court video footage where both animals could be seen lifting their hooves up in pain.

Dylan and Storm both had to be put down, after their condition deteriorated.

Mr McDonald, 79, of Byer Street, Hetton admitted the horses were his, and he was aware of their illness.

But he initially denied causing unnecessary suffering to the horses, saying he had been working with animals since he was 14.

Sunderland Magistrates heard he had trimmed the horses' hooves himself, and soaked their feet in water and salts.

Yet he failed to contact a vet about the problem.

Miss McDonald, 45, of Allendale Street, Hetton also denied the charge.

Defence solicitor Paul McAlindon claimed she had visited the horses less than once a week, and relied on her dad's knowledge of animals.

But the pair changed their plea to guilty halfway through yesterday's trial, after hearing evidence from equine vet Samantha Castle.

Miss Castle, who also works with other animals, told the court: "It had gone too far to be honest. It was past the point of redemption.

"They had not seen a farrier or a vet for several months and were in the chronic stages of the disease where the bone changes.

"They had been suffering for several months. You don't allow a foot to get to the point where maggots take hold."

Mr McAlindon said: "The evidence of the vet is clear, they were not doing any harm, but in this day and age the treatment of laminitis has evolved, and what Mr McDonald was doing was not good enough."

Magistrates said: "We are dealing with a harrowing case of cruelty towards two animals. In considering your sentence we have taken into account the age of Mr McDonald and the financial circumstances of both defendants.

"The fine would have been greater, but given the limited financial circumstances of the defendants we have had to reduce this, but this does not take away from the suffering of these animals."

Both were banned from keeping horses for life, fined £100 each for each of the horses, ordered to pay costs of £150 each and a £15 victim surcharge, totalling £365.

Vet fees and photography bills totalling £1,640 were ordered to be paid out of central funds.