A HORSE has been savagely attacked at a remote farm near Chipping Sodbury leaving it severely wounded.

The stallion was left traumatised and its owners do not know if the animal will make a full recovery after it was mutilated at the Horton farm. The shocking attack took place overnight between July 13 and July 14 but details only emerged this week.

The Gazette spoke to the 19-year-old horse's owners, who asked not to be named. They said: "We thought we were going to lose him. He had been interfered with and when he was found, there was blood pouring down his legs.

"We feel absolutely heart-broken."

The show horse is said to have had a beautiful mane and tail before the horrific attack, during which the animal's tail was severed.

A vet treated it at the scene before taking the stricken animal to Bushy Equestrian Centre in Breadstone, Berkeley, where it spent four days recuperating.

Its owners have since had to treat its injuries twice a day with antiseptics. "He is gradually recovering but there are some nerve endings at his tail which we do not think will grow back," said the owners, who had left the horse at the farm for a grazing break while they went on holiday themselves.

"He is not too nervous with us because we have known him since he was five." The animal was among eight other larger beasts in the field. It is thought the attacker may have escaped on the nearby A46.

The owners told the Gazette: "He was grazing in a remote spot and the vet didn't think the wounds were more than 10 to 12 hours old when they were inspected.

"It is awful and we just want to warn other horse owners and stables in the area about this and make them think about protecting their animals."

The owners of the farm in Horton are said to have been devastated when they heard of the attack. They have now put up an electric fence and have stopped motorists from being able to park nearby.

Judith Haw, spokeswoman for the RSPCA in Gloucestershire, said: "It is a horrific attack. Any unprovoked attack on an animal is unacceptable but unfortunately, like so many of the really awful cases we hear about, there are no witnesses to help catch the culprit."

She added: "I do not think this is a common problem - most horses and livestock are kept out in fields unattended. Hopefully this is an isolated incident.

"This may leave other people with horses in the area worried and whilst we would not want to make them unduly concerned, they should be more aware of anyone suspicious."

Police in Chipping Sodbury are investigating the incident as one of bestiality. Sector deputy Sgt Andy McIlrath said no other such incidents had been reported in the area recently.

Anyone with any information should contact police on 0845 4567000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.