Local crime - ponies/horses

Police fear pony's tail hair cut ahead of theft

'The incident, which took place at Nocton Fen Lane, Nocton, was reported to the police on December 31.'

http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/Police-fear-pony-s-tail-hair-cut-ahead-theft/story-25793048-detail/story.html

Why cutting off the tail off someone's horse used to be a huge insult

'During the Middle Ages, horses were a symbol of wealth, power — and manliness. So, if you really, really, wanted to hurt a guy, you could hit him where it hurt the most — by cutting off his horse's tail.'

http://io9.com/why-cutting-off-the-tail-off-someones-horse-used-to-be-1520017243

Neighbourhood Watch

If you see anyone acting out of character in and around the fields where horses are being grazed, please report this to Lincolnshire Police on 101.

Why cut tails nowadays

I see Bracebridge Heath Neighbourhood Policing Team fear the action could be a possible 'marker' with a view to taking the animal sometime in the future. Whilst this assumption cannot be discounted, it is important to remember that horsehair can be valuable in its own right.

Horse hair may be stolen for use in:

• Upholstery
• Soft furnishings
• Hair extensions
• Fake tails of a show horse that has a sparse tail
• Jewellery
• Fly swishers
• and many other things

Of course this could simply be a cruel prank or theft. Either way, it causes great distress for the owners of these animals and most likely for the horses/ponies too.

The Many Uses for Horse Tail Hair… Who knew?!
http://horseandman.com/handy-tips/the-many-uses-for-horsehair-who-knew/12/12/2013/

Horsehair
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsehair