A HORSE’S tail was cut off in what experts say could be a case of sabotage.

Police are investigating after the animal, which was grazing in a paddock in Tunstall, near Woodbridge, was attacked between 5am and 4.30pm on March 20.

About 24 inches of hair was shorn off in the incident.

Stables and horse groups in the area, including the Suffolk Punch Trust, have said they are warning people to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity.

Stacey Shimmons, owner of Tunstall Forest Livery, said some of her animals had been targeted in previous years, and described the incident as a concern.

She added: “It’s a bit of a worry to know there are people out there who would do this – and will it go further than tail-cutting?

“Quite a few years ago we had some horses’ tails cut here. It was some time ago. It’s one of those things that you hope is a one off, but it’s a case of keeping an eye out.”

Ms Shimmons said there were different reasons why horses are targeted.

She added: “It happens with show horses sometimes because of the competition. So it could have been a show horse or it could be due to personal reasons. There are some strange people around.”

Ms Shimmons said staff at the livery are always around their horses and, although cameras could be used to protect animals in buildings, they would not work in fields.

A spokeswoman for the Suffolk Punch Trust, based at Woodbridge Walk, Hollesley, said they had not heard about the incident but would be talking to their members to make them aware.

The theft of horse hair is uncommon in the UK but has previously been connected to its use in making fake horse hair extension. Horse hair is also used in some jewellery and upholstery.

The most famous horse hair theft was that of cowboy actor Roy Rogers’ stallion Trigger. Rogers reported that a souvenir hunter had hacked off the horse’s tail while it slept in a trailer on set in the 1950s.

Anyone with information about the Tunstall incident is asked to call Suffolk police on 101.