Mare and foal killed in ‘wicked’ and ‘sick’ attack

Police are warning horse owners in Lincolnshire to be vigilant after a heavily-pregnant mare was attacked in her field – resulting in her death and that of her foal.

The mare, a 19-year-old thoroughbred cross, was discovered by her owner, Graham Worrell at 6am last Friday morning (4 May).

Mr Worrell, 67, of Gate Burton, near Gainsborough, told H&H that at first he thought the mare, called Persian Dream, had started to foal.

“She was lying down, away from the other mares, with a lot of blood around her back end,” said Mr Worrell.

“But when the vet checked the mare, he said she had been attacked. She had been cut inside, mutilated.“

It is believed that the foal died during the attack. “Persian” was taken in to the vet’s but her foal was stillborn the following day and she died soon after.

“I can’t explain how I feel,” said Mr Worrell.

“I bred her myself. It was wicked. So sick and unnecessary. I cannot get over it,” he added.

Mr Worrell, along with his son Rupert, breeds show horses, showjumpers and hunters. They bred Purdy’s Dream, owned by Paralympic hopeful, Emma Sheardown.

Persian, who was in foal to an Irish draught, bred a striking coloured foal by John Whitaker’s coloured stallion, Zilando, last year.

Rupert Worrall told H&H that he is offering a reward of £1,000 to anyone with information.

“I am hoping that in the current financial climate, it will encourage someone to come forward,” he told H&H.

Lincolnshire Police said the attack was a “terrible crime” that had been “devastating” to the owners.

A spokesman said they would like to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area.

Please contact Lincolnshire Police by dialing 101 and quote incident number 242 of 5 May 2012

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