Horse suffers severe burns in suspected arson at Newtown Common farm

£12,000 worth of saddles and bridles also stolen.

A HORSE suffered severe burns in a suspected arson at a Newtown Common farm, with £12,000 worth of saddles and bridles stolen in the incident.

According to Hampshire Constabulary, the incident happened between 2.30am and 3.30am on Wednesday, November 11, at a farm at Newton Common, Horris Hill, near Burghclere.

Burglars broke into a tack store in a stable block on the farm and stole nine saddles and some bridles. The value of the saddles was around £12,000.

They then set fire to a horse box truck. The fire spread to a nearby stable, causing significant damage.

The occupants were woken by the sound of the fire and managed to rescue horses from the stable. One of the horses suffered severe burns to its back.

Det Const Alex Hall, from Basingstoke police station, said: “This type of offence is extremely rare.

“Although it is not clear why the horse truck was set on fire it does not appear it was the offenders’ intention to cause injury to the horses.

“Nevertheless I would urge horse owners to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity in their local area.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Hall at Basingstoke police station on the non emergency number, 101, quoting 44150392524, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.