RIDING PROGRAM'S EX-OPERATOR PLEADS GUILTY OF HORSE ABUSE.

Byline: Don Holland Daily News Staff Writer

Four years after she was charged with neglecting horses under her care, the former operator of a children's riding program has pleaded guilty to animal abuse.

Just as attorneys were ready to begin jury selection, Renae L. Ferguson, 28, of Tarzana pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of abusing horses that investigators said suffered from neglect and malnutrition.

In June 1994, prosecutors filed two charges of felony animal abuse against Ferguson, then a Ventura resident who ran the Tiny Tots Riding Program through the Ventura city Parks and Recreation Department. But a steady turnover of defense attorneys and a flurry of pretrial motions slowed the case to a snail's pace.

``It's been longer than your typical felony case, and there have been a lot of continuances for several different reasons,'' said Deputy District Attorney Kathy LaSalle. ``I think the judge said there have been 18 different motions. I'm glad to see it resolved. We got a conviction, and I think that's important.''

When Ferguson sought a delay earlier this week to find yet another attorney, Judge Herbert Curtis denied the request and ordered her not to make any more pretrial motions.

Under the plea agreement, Ferguson pleaded to the one count, and a second, identical charge will be dismissed when she is sentenced March 10.

``The court is going to make it a misdemeanor,'' said defense attorney Bill Maxwell. ``So the maximum is a year. I wouldn't expect her to get a year.''

The end of the case in Ventura County doesn't put Ferguson's legal troubles to rest. She is still awaiting trial in Los Angeles County after being arrested in August on separate but similar animal cruelty charges.