Staff at an animal sanctuary have been left sick with shock after a brutal attack on a rescue horse.
Thoroughbred mare Ameera was found at Hillside Animal Sanctuary after what appears to be a stabbing.
The 23-year-old was taken to the refuge at Frettenham, north of Norwich, just three weeks ago after her owner could no longer look after her.
The obligatory quarantine was due to end on the day of the attack, but she will now be under the watchful eye of vets for a full recovery.
Sanctuary founder Wendy Valentine, 66, said: 'It's a sadistic and horrific act. She's such a kind and gentle mare.
'There was no where she could have injured herself on, you have only got to look a the room to know she was attacked, it was a real mess.'
Staff went in to check on the horse on Thursday morning and found the horse in distress.
At first they were unaware what had happened, but after a vet inspected Ameera, it became clear she had been stabbed in the lower body.
Ms Valentine said the attacker must have climbed over five-foot gates to reach the animal in a large open air stable.
She said: 'She was in a really sad condition. It just makes me feel sick that someone had climbed over the gates and did this.
'It's pretty clear from how it all looked that some one must be covered in blood. You can see where she was speared, it's awful.'
Ameera is now being treated by the vets and looked after by staff at the sanctuary where unwanted and abused animals are given a home. Call police on 101 with information.
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