HORSE owners in the area are being warned to be on their guard after a horse and a pony had parts of their mane cut off.

The attack happened sometime between 30 March and 3 April while the animals were in fields belonging to Oakley Manor, near Whitchurch.

The chestnut horse, a thoroughbred cross with New Forest, has a small white patch in the middle of her forehead.

The pony is freeze marked 6A41 and has a white star, snip and two rear socks.

A police spokesman said: "The owner first noticed hair had been cut from the horse's mane on 2 April. 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."

Anyone who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the fields should contact PC Magnus Rolfe at Whitchurch police on 0845 045 45 45.