POLICE are investigating after a miniature Shetland pony’s mane was mysteriously braided overnight while it was in a field in the Bovey Tracey area.

Officers are looking into whether it may have been marked out for thieves to return later to steal him or possibly it could be a pagan type ritual.

Owner Becky Harvey went to the field one morning to find five-year-old Herbie’s mane had been braided and he was behaving unusually.

She said: ‘There were three braids but one really stood out.

‘Apart from that, he was very dopey, which is unusual, didn’t want to come near me and didn’t want his food.

‘He also kept walking away along the side of the fence and standing with his head down on the ground.

‘It was very odd behaviour and he appeared anxious.’

She also discovered he was slightly lame.

Further evidence that someone had got into the field came when she saw a footprint of a trainer in his pen which had not been there the night before.

Another of her horses, which was kept in the same field, also appeared to have been sweating as if it had been running around.

Mrs Harvey said: ‘It was all very odd and worrying.

‘Everything that happened made me very suspicious.

‘I have never seen anything quite like it before.

‘It must have taken quite some time to do and it took me a long time to undo it.’

Several of the braids appeared to have been made to look messy but one was particularly neat and there were bows at the bottom.

Herbie, who has since been moved, is considered part of the Harvey family, accompanying them on walks and to the pub where he joins them in the garden.

Mrs Harvey was so concerned at what she discovered in the field that she told police.

PCSO Paul Wilson explained: ‘It is something of an old wives’ tale but it is sometimes believed that thieves will braid horses’ manes as a way of identifying them to steal.

‘Some natural plaiting of manes can occur but this was three rows of very, very intricate braiding which makes it appear more suspicious and more likely it was done by hand.

‘There are concerns that someone has been in and plaited the mane for the horse to be stolen.

‘It is a small pony and could easily fit in the back of a Transit van.’

PCSO Wilson is appealing to horse owners to be vigilant and is keen to hear from anyone who has information or has seen any suspicious activity.

Horse thieves are known to use plaits or braids in the manes of animals which are earmarked to be stolen.

Feeling the plait in a mane could also indicate the horse has been checked for micro-chipping.

However, it is also thought the braiding could be part of some kind of pagan ritual, particularly as this incident occurred around Halloween.

It is also the time of year when travellers hold horse fairs.

A further incident involving a horse in Holne has been reported to police.

A gate was taken off its hinges and left in the middle of a field, leaving the horses able to get out.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 or email [email protected].