Two of the defendants charged in relation to the deaths of 16 horses aboard the Spirit of Tasmania in early 2018 have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Professional polo player Andrew Williams was charged with one count of using a method of management reasonably likely to result in unreasonable and unjustifiable pain and suffering to animals, and 16 counts of transporting a horse across Bass Strait failing to ensure that the horse was individually stalled.
Thomas Martin was charged with 12 counts of failing to ensure that the horse was individually stalled while being transported across the Bass Strait.
Spirit of Tasmania operator TT Line was also charged in relation to the deaths but that matter has been adjourned without plea, also until November 7 at 9.45am in the Devonport Magistrates Court.
The charges were brought against the three parties after an investigation undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.
The investigation was in relation to all aspects of the transport of the horses from Barnbougle, north of Launceston, to Victoria.
The horses were in Tasmania to compete as part of Barnbougle's annual polo event.
However, the horses were found dead on their arrival in Victoria after travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania.