A DEVASTATED horse owner is offering a reward after her animals were mutilated for the third time.

Mrs Carol Pearson was horrified when she discovered that two Shetland ponies belonging to her children and another horse belonging to a friend had had their tails slashed.

The animals, Misty, a grey Shetland belonging to her eight-year-old daughter Emma, Time, a black Shetland belonging to her son Nick, 10, and Bonny, a horse belonging to a friend were being stabled at a farm in the Clitheroe area when the attack happened.

"Poor Misty was so subdued afterwards, he just stood with his face against my cheek," said Carol.

"It makes me feel sick, I can't see what pleasure someone derives from this. If they wanted the hair to stuff a sofa or something you can buy it from the knackers' yard."

The horses had varying lengths of tail lopped off by the raiders who may have used either a blade or scissors.

Mrs Pearson added: "The grey is only just recovering from another attack two years ago when its tail was hacked off.

"It takes two or three years for a tail to grow back fully and they need their tails for swotting flies in summer and keeping warm in winter.

"The whole thing defies description. I've spoken to other people in the area with horses and they are horrified by it."

She is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible and anyone who can help should ring Clitheroe Police on 01200 443344.

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