It was the first time the alleged animal cruelty offences had reached court, with the case adjourned until January.

Glenn Littlechild and Timothy Playford are facing nine charges related to property damage and animal cruelty, after it was alleged they shot about 30 horses on Killarney Station in September.

The pair did not appear in court but their legal representative, Jon Bortoli, indicated they would contest all charges.

Justice Greg Borchers adjourned the case until January 20, 2021.

Both men are on notice to appear in court.

Killarney Station management reported 30 of their horses had been shot and killed on September 19.

It has been alleged the two men were allowed onto the 541,400ha property to shoot feral animals but had also allegedly shot horses close to the homestead used by station workers.

In a statement issued by the owners of the station in September, Jumbuck Pastoral director Callum McLachlan said the death of the horses was devastating to staff.

"Some of these horses were quite simply and truly irreplaceable," he said.

"As every station and horse person knows; the value of a good horse is more than just money."

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