AN URGENT appeal has been shared by a horse sanctuary in Pitsea after a pony was stolen from their grounds.

The Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society (EHPPS), which is based in Pitsea Hall Lane, took to Facebook to appeal for help after a pony was snatched from their sanctuary in the middle of the night.

The thieves cut through the fence to get onto the ground and stole a pony, named Smartie, which the sanctuary took in after he had been neglected.

The appeal stated: “During the night, someone has arranged for Smartie to be snatched from the Sanctuary, cutting through our perimeter fencing.

“This little yearling was severely neglected when we took him in and had an infection which had been left untreated.

“He has now known kindness and has tasted a proper life. The police have been informed.

“He is microchipped and passported to EHPPS.”

The sanctuary began caring for Smartie back in July after receiving numerous calls of concern about his welfare. Despite leaving notes for the owner to get in touch, EHPPS heard nothing and so took Smartie in five days later as an abandoned colt.

The pony, who had been temporarily looked after by animal lovers in the area, had such overgrown feet he could barely walk.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Our farrier tended to his hooves and told us that, in his expert opinion, the pony had never had his feet attended to.

“Someone did come forward to lay claim to him but had no proof of ownership in the form of an equine passport, could not give an adequate answer as to why it was left to caring people in the area to see he had water supplies or why his feet were so bad. We also learned he was illegally flygrazed on the field.”

The appeal has been shared more than 2,000 times on social media with people from across the country spreading the word. It has even been shared as far north as Perthshire in Scotland.

Facebook user Irene Hodder said: “From an animal lover in Hullbridge - hope Smartie is found safe and well soon.”

The police did not respond to requests for comment by the time the Echo went to press.