Master Lexion, a gelding from Hampshire, was found with a rusty eight-inch nail thrust through his chin and tongue. The squad has identified three types of assailant. The third and perhaps most sinister category of attacks are carried out by people obsessed by bizarre rituals. There are different theories about what lies behind their rituals. Hallmarks include chalk markings, rope burns, hobbling in a particular way, burns on the legs and blood-letting.
Some attacks have sexual overtones.
Hampshire-based Anita Jones, wife of Sixties pop star Davy Jones, had two mares attacked within days of each other in July 1992. Annie received a wound to the shoulder. It was horrific. Even now if I hear the slightest noise outside I send the dogs out thinking it might be the horse lunatic. This problem has been getting worse.