Police are appealing for information after a horse suffered multiple injuries at a farm in Godstone.

Alfie, a Cremelo horse, was put into a stable at Tandridge Hill Farm, Tandridge Hill Lane, at approximately 6pm on Wednesday, 28th September. At 7am the following day Alfie was found to be bleeding and had sustained several cuts.

The 12-year-old, 14.1HH horse had a large cut measuring approximately seven-inches along his spine, a deep cut to his rump, smaller cuts on his left hind leg, a deep laceration to his right foreleg and additional cuts on his shoulder.

Police Community Support Officer Hermione Pilbrow, who visited the farm following the incident, said: "The stable where Alfie had been overnight was thoroughly searched to see if, somehow, the injuries had been accidentally inflicted. But there were no obvious signs to explain how this could have happened.

"The adult learning centre is a secure farm but witnesses reported seeing a cream or mustard coloured old-style Volvo parked in a lay-by opposite the location at around midnight on Wednesday (28 September).

"Deliberately injuring any animal is simply heinous. But as Alfie is used to assist adults with learning difficulties it makes it even harder to understand how and why someone would want to do that.

"I am appealing to members of the public to help us. Do you know who could have done this to such a friendly horse? We are liaising closely with Surrey Action For Equine and Surrey Horsewatch but I am urgently appealing to anyone with any information at all, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you, to come forward."

Paul Bradbury, Service Manager at Tandridge Hill Farm said: "Alfie has really poor eyesight, but he is such a lovely, kind and good natured horse he is perfect occupational therapy for the adults who attend our centre. They groom him, feed him and take him out to the field which really helps the way they interact.

"Since Alfie was injured he has become more skittish and does not like being approached when he is stabled. I am completely shocked by this incident and cannot understand how someone could be so malicious. How the mind works of someone who could do this is beyond me. There is no financial gain to this and I just don't understand what purpose inflicting these injuries has served."

Can you help? Do you know who was responsible for injuring Alfie? Anyone with information is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/11/4809.