Two colts slashed in deliberate knife attack
Two colts are recovering from “horrific” injuries after being slashed in their field in Nottinghamshire.
The piebald youngsters, Flash and Rio, were found with large wounds on their hindquarters.
Nottinghamshire Police is appealing for information following the attack, which took place at a yard on Newlands Road, Forest Town, between the evening of 21 August and the following morning.
Danielle Hall, daughter of Flash’s owner Audra, discovered the ponies’ injuries on 22 August when she went to feed Flash.
Other horses had escaped from their fields as gates into a central paddock had been opened overnight.
“Flash had a gash down one side of him,” said Danielle. “I noticed my friend’s horse, Rio, had also been injured.
“I thought it could have been an accident, but when I saw they both had the same injuries I knew it couldn’t be that.”
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It took a vet around five hours to stitch up the large wounds of both ponies and the pair are now recovering on box rest.
“It’s a healing process and they’re doing ok,” said Danielle.
“They have been so calm despite what’s happened, but they have been jumpy on certain occasions.”
Danielle added that the help she and her mother have received since the incident has helped them cope.
Well-wishers have sent fly rugs and funds to help care for the ponies.
“We’re so grateful and we’re not taking it for granted,” added Danielle.
“It really has taken a weight off our shoulders.”
Nottinghamshire Police is appealing for anyone with information about the attack to come forward.
“This is a shocking incident, not least for the horses and their owners,” said neighbourhood policing inspector Nick Butler.
“It’s hard to imagine how anyone could be this cruel.
“The injuries caused were horrific and required the emergency treatment of a vet.
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- Second horse dies from knife attack: police appeal for information
- Partially-sighted pony seriously injured in knife attack
- Man who slashed horse in revenge attack fails to clear his name
“I’ve spoken with the owners and reassured them that we will do all we can to catch the people responsible and bring them to justice.
“It is crucial we find whoever was responsible for causing those injuries as soon as we possibly can.
“Somebody, somewhere will have heard something and I urge anyone with information about this incident to please call us with any information, no matter how insignificant it seems, as it may be the piece in the jigsaw we are missing.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 182 of 22 of August 2016, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.