A HORSE was stabbed in the face in a vicious attack by thieves who broke in to stables in Llanmartin.

Mickey, a six-year-old bay gelding, was stabbed in the face by the thieves who broke in to the stables at Court Farm in Llanmartin in the early hours today, also stealing eight saddles.

The mother of Mickey’s 17-year-old owner, who both wished to remain anonymous, said the horse who stands at 15.2 hands is likely to have made a noise -  sparking the attack in an effort to silence him.

“We are really devastated,” she said.

“Lizzie Halliwell, yard manager called us around 7.10am to say there had been a robbery at the yard and Mickey had been injured.

“We came down straight away and he was quite distressed.”

Mickey was punched in the face causing swelling to his right cheek and there was a puncture wound between his nostril and cheek as well as a scratch on his right cheek.

His left ear is also swollen where it is believed to have reared his head in fright.

“He is lovely and one of the most popular horses, he is really affectionate,” his owner said.

Mickey had to be sedated as he was treated by a vet but is now said to be in a comfortable condition.

Sarah Williams, a letting agent in Newport, has kept her horse Molly at the stables for the past three months.

She said fellow horse owners were extremely concerned by the incident.

“Mickey is a little sweetheart,” she said.

“To hurt a horse deliberately like that...it’s sick.

“There are 30 horses at the stables and we are all concerned for the horse’s welfare.

“Theft is one thing but to attack an innocent horse is a different ball game.”

Thieves took eight saddles belonging to six different people and valued between £500 and £800.

It is believed that the saddles, some of which belong to young riders aged 14 and 15 years old, may be sold on for a profit. Saddles taken include one brown Lexington Saddle 17”; one brown dressage Saddle 17”; one black Sandringham Saddle 17.5” with slight white paint on back of cantle.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “We're appealing for information following a burglary at a stables belonging to a property in Llanmartin.

“The burglary occurred sometime overnight 23rd - 24th March.

“Horse tack, 8 saddles and two wheelbarrows were stolen.

“ A horse at the property was also injured during the incident and sustained facial injuries.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log 33 24/03/15.