Horse’s theft leaves teenager heartbroken

Fourteen year-old Morgan Kearsey was devastated when she discovered that her horse “Sweets” had been stolen. The horse was stolen from its stable at a farm in Honeydew. Kearsey has been riding the horse for almost six years and the pair have won several ribbons.

Kearsey’s father Brian said Sweets was everything to his daughter and she really loved the animal, which was rescued from an abusive environment. It has a cut tongue and broken tail to prove its previous sufferings. “Sweets had an amazing relationship with my daughter, you should have seen them together”, said Kearsey.

The horse was still in rehabilitation and still learning to trust again.

According to the farm owner, Melanie Moore, thieves cut the padlock at the back gate which is close to the horse stalls. They then took the horse out of its secured stall. “The thieves were definitely on foot as there are no trailer tracks or anything.”

Moore, together with Kearsey’s family, and other riders are searching for the horse. “The foot tracks lead up to the river in the direction of Zandspruit”, said Moore. She added they were afraid to go into Zandspruit on their own as they don’t know the area very well.

They contacted the Randburg SPCA hoping they would receive assistance, but they were told the theft was a police matter. Catherine Moperero from Randburg SPCA confirmed this. “We don’t help with searching for lost animals. If approached, we just compile a lost report and if anyone finds the lost animal we only assist with contacting the owner.”

Moore feels the police are not taking the matter seriously. “We asked them [the police] to go with us into Zandspruit to search for the horse and they said Zandspruit is too huge and they don’t have enough manpower to go in there.”

According to Moore, there has been an increase in the theft of horses and riding equipment in and around Honeydew farms. Six weeks ago there was a robbery at her farm where riders were held at gun point and valuables; including saddles; were taken. A few weeks ago another farm close to hers was robbed and criminals once again stole saddles. The farm owner went in search of them, and found them in Zandspruit. “This shows how criminals are targeting horse farms at the moment,” Moore concluded.

Moore is offering a reward to anyone with information as to the horse’s whereabouts. Details: 073-174-0147

Honeydew SAPS is yet to respond to questions sent to them regarding the matter.