A LEITRIM miniature horse breeder has been left devastated after four of his animals were stolen off his land in Carrick-on-Shannon on Wednesday night.

Brendan Flynn of Tonnagh Stud told The Irish Field this week how four of his home-bred miniatures were taken out of their field in the townland of Gornough in Carrick-on-Shannon, just hours after eight other of his stock in the same area had begun their journey to India.

A well-known breeder and exhibitor of miniature horses for the last 40 years, Flynn was contacted directly by a member of the Indian royal family, and the eight horses, who were all Falabella blends, left Ireland for their new home on Tuesday. He believes the thieves were targeting the sold horses.

“We have found some evidence left behind and we are waiting on Gardaí forensic results,” Flynn said. “They brought bread to lure the horses from the field and left wrappers after them, so we are waiting to see if there are any finger prints from that.

“It is likely they came to take the eight horses that were sold and because they were gone, they took the others in the nearby field.”

Despite the upset caused by the missing horses, Flynn is hopeful that, with the help of the Gardaí and the public, they will be safely returned to his stud.

“We are appealing to everyone to keep an eye out of for the horses - they are very identifiable, especially one of the mares. She is a tiny one, only 26 inches, and she has a blue eye. If anyone sees anything they can contact me on 087 770 2112,” Flynn said.

Speaking about selling eight horses to India, Flynn added: “An agent exported a small number of my purebred Fallabella’s in the last two years and a member of the royal family saw the ponies, and through the horse registration programmes, tracked us down and got in contact.

“He intends to breed from them and he bought a very special spotted stallion called Kilcummer Piccolo to help with that. He is likely to sell a few of them also.”

STOLEN HORSEBOX

Also appealing for the equestrian community’s help in locating a stolen horsebox is well known PRO of Carbury Pony Club, Susan McCarthy of Meelin Stud, Bandon, Co Cork.

The family’s Ivor Williams Horsebox 505, blue with a white top, was stolen from their home on January 26th last. Gardai followed a line of enquiry to the Gorey area but the trail now seems to have gone cold.

“We are asking everyone to please keep an eye out for our horsebox. We are devastated at its loss. The thieves struck on a very wet, stormy night, and also slashed our tyres so we could not follow them. We would love to get it back. The number on the towbar is 5-13904. If anyone sees it or knows its whereabouts, please ring me at 086 168 1675,” said McCarthy.