Police are appealing for witnesses after a horse and a pony, kept in fields near Whitchurch, had parts of their manes cut off.

The animals were kept in fields belonging to Oakley Manor and their hair was cut some time between Sunday, March 30th and Thursday, April 3rd.

The horse is a chestnut mare, with a small blaze the size of a thumbprint in the middle of her forehead. She is a thoroughbred cross with New Forest. The pony is freeze-marked 6A41 and has a star, snip and two rear socks, all coloured white.

The owner first noticed hair had been cut from the horse's mane on April 2nd. The next day, more hair had been cut from the mane of the horse and also from her forelock. Hair had also been cut from the pony's mane.

There are three footpaths in the area and police are appealing to anyone who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the fields to contact them on 0845 045 45 45.

Other horse-owners are being warned following this incident. The officer in the case is PC Magnus Rolfe.