No firm suspects after horse attacked twice

File photo / APN

Police say they have no firm suspects after a showjumping horse was attacked twice in the past week and are calling on the public for any information.

The 13-year-old gelding, Squirt, suffered burns to his face at the Showjumping Series Final Show at the Egmont A and P Showgrounds in Hawera at the weekend after apparently being smeared in creosote.

Creosote is commonly used as a wood preservative and made from coal tar. Exposure to it can result in a rash or severe irritation of the skin and chemical burns.

At a show in Foxton the weekend before a chemical was rubbed near Squirt's girth area, causing the skin to blister.

Owner-rider Kathryn Corry said she believed that only a rival competitor would have had anything to gain by attacking Squirt.

Police refused to confirm that a fellow competitor had been questioned but said they wanted to hear from anyone with information.

- NZPA