THE theft of two much-loved horses has ruined Christmas for two Hampshire families.

Barney and Toby, a pair of traditional cobs, were reported missing from their field in Swanmore on November 19.

It has been five weeks since the pair went missing but their owners have not given up hope of finding them.

The horses are owned by Natalie Inkpin and lived on land owned by Kathryn Golightly, who looked after them along with her own eight horses and a donkey.

Kathryn said: “Whoever did this has destroyed our families right on top of Christmas.

“For all we know they could already be dead. None of us is in the Christmas spirit.

“How can you be happy when your pet could be suffering?

“The only gift we want is them back home – it would be the best present ever.

“I just can’t give up but don’t know if everything I’m trying will ever be good enough to find them.”

The mother-of-three is hoping to raise £1,000, through an online campaign, to offer as a reward to anyone who has information which results in the return of Barney and Toby.

Barney stands 15 hands high and has irregular black-and-white patches He also suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which means he’s on a strict diet to keep him well.

Toby is 14 hands high, and is black with white socks and a white blaze.

He is unbroken and is easily spooked, say his owners.

The geldings are both microchipped.

Police say an attempted theft of a horse also took place in Hill Rise, Meonstoke, a few days later and the force is linking the incidents.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Constabulary said: “When the owner returned at 7am the following morning, the horse was wearing a head collar that had been placed on it since she had last seen the animal. The collar had been stored within a shelter in the field.

“The owner believes the suspect(s) had damaged the fence with the intention of leading her horse away but were distracted and made off empty handed.”

“If you have any information about this crime, please ring 101, quoting reference 44180434698.”

Hampshire police advise landowners to ensure their livestock are identifiable and horses microchipped.

The donations page can be found at: gofundme.com/HAHAappeal.