Two ponies at the Epsom Riding For The Disabled (Epsom RDA) on Hook Road were brutally attacked during an overnight break-in.

The ponies Buffy and Marigold were discovered by Epsom RDA volunteers on Wednesday, August 15 morning with wounds on their jaws, legs, shoulders and necks.

Stella Milne, chair of the board of Epsom RDA, said the burglars had broken down electric fencing posts, a fundraising shed and scattered the contents of a first aid box onto the floor.

Mrs Milne said: “The most serious injury is to Marigold. She has a wound to her jaw which potentially could be fractured.

“We will be monitoring the injury over the next few days and hoping this will not be the case. “

Mrs Milne said she suspects the puncture wounds were caused by throwing or pushing in the end of electrical fence posts.

A number of caravans had gained access to adjacent Hook Road Arena on Monday (August 13) but the group has since vacated the site at 2.30 pm on Wednesday (August 15), after the police issued a section 61 order.

Mrs Milne said she suspected the attack was connected to the unauthorised encampment in Hook Road Arena. 

She added: “We have been in touch with the local council and they have taken a section 61 to remove the travellers from the Hook Road Arena.” 

A Surrey Police spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a horse was injured during the course of a burglary at the Epsom Riding School for the Disabled yesterday night.

"Investigations are ongoing at this time."

An RSPCA spokesperson said: "This is a really upsetting incident and our thoughts are with the owners of the ponies and all those who love and care for them.

"We wish the ponies a successful recovery from their ordeal.

"We urge anybody with information about this to contact the police as soon as possible, who are investigating this awful attack."