Tuesday, May 11-- On the face of it, it seemed a harmless throwback to quainter more rural times - children riding small ponies at the Main Street Farmers Market on Mothers Day.

But when police responded to neighbors' calls at 1:25 p.m. Sunday reporting moaning sounds emanating from a trailer parked on the 500 block of Ocean Park Blvd., they were greeted by an unexpected sight.

Several dozen animals, including goats and donkeys, were crammed into the trailer standing in feces, said Santa Monica Police Department spokesman Lt. Gary F. Gallinot. There was no food and water and many of the animals appeared emaciated.

When the investigation was completed Kathleen Marie Stone, a 43-year-old Lancanster woman who operates pony rides at the farmers market, was arrested on suspicion of animal neglect. Police found a total of 43 animals inside two parked trailers apparently living in squalor.

One goat died at the scene. The other animals were taken to the Santa Monica Humane Department, where they were listed in fair condition.

Stone posted $5,000 bail at 7:45 p.m. Sunday. A court date is set for June 9.