AN IRISH THERAPY horse riding centre have said they are 'beside themselves' after their therapy ponies were beaten and attacked with oil.
The Fort Riding Centre in Maghera, Co. Derry is a therapeutic riding centre designed for the use of children and adults with disabilities of all ranges and has been open since 1978.
The centre caters for up to 80 riders a week, and 30-40 volunteers work in the centre with eight horses and ponies.
There have been previous attacks on the horses and ponies at the centre in previous years, with one pony being hit with a bottle.
Another therapy horse has another visible mark on its neck. (Picture: Fort Centre/Facebook)In a post on the centre's social media after the attack on Sunday, April 24, the Fort Centre said that "once again" the animals had been attacked.
"Once again our poor horses and ponies are the victims in more attacks from the youth in this area.
"Now we have the task of working with these animals, who are scared of everything.
"We are totally beside ourselves with how to cope with this," they said.
Noeleen O'Hagan, who is a volunteer instructor at the centre told The Irish Post that all the horses and ponies were rounded up into a lane and beaten.
"All were attacked as they were in adjoining fields," she said.
"They broke the padlock of the gate to round up all the horses into a small lane and put rope around their necks."
"There were visible marks on them, and they put oil on the horses also.
"One of our ponies has actually had to be taken out of the group ride, as he just is so tired and sore."
The PSNI in Maghera said officers are due to meet with the animals' owner this week to discuss the incident.
The centre, which is a not for profit, have set up a fundraiser to improve security at the centre and cover day to day running costs.
If you would like to donate to the Fort Centre, you can do so here.
