Distraught owner Esther Nash-Smith, whose horses are 'her life', said a substantial reward was now being offered for their return.

She discovered the three mares and two foals missing and the sickening attack on her German Shepherds at her yard at Smiths Meadow the morning after.

View images of the horses by scrolling through the picture gallery

The horse rustlers used a 6ft fencing stake to beat the dogs around their heads and used bolt-cutters to break a chain and padlock on the gate.

They then switched off the electric fencing and lured the horses out of the fields.

Her horse box used by the thieves to transport the horses was later found abandoned by police in Haxted in Surrey.

Another horse, a Shetand, was stolen from Hurst Green on Sunday (August 3).

The horse rustlers may be targeting mares in particular and a warning has been flashed to other owners with an appeal for information about the missing horses on AdHorse, the equestrian network website.

Close to tears, Esther said: "I had a life before July 30 and it has gone. Everything for 25 years I have worked for has gone.

"I would prefer to have them be shot in the field than have the life they are going to have."

The five horses were: one traditional Blagdon mare, one filly foal, one black thoroughbred mare, one coloured colt foal, one chestnut arab mare.

Esther is asking anyone with any information or anyone who has had a horse stolen in Sussex or Surrey to contact her on 07768981816.

Full story in the Mid Sussex Times

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