A WOMAN said she was “shocked and disgusted” after discovering her Shetland pony had been shot at with a BB gun.

Lucy Loder founded Nick’s Farm in Throop, an inclusive space for children with special educational needs.

On Saturday, November 2, Lucy noticed her Shetland pony, Phoenix, was not putting weight on its hooves and was behaving unusually.

Upon investigating, she noticed a deep, circular wound on its leg, which the vet identified as a BB gun injury.

Lucy said: “This pony is just a small chap and hasn’t done anything to cause anyone harm.

“Not only has the person involved seriously injured Phoenix, but they have also caused him to be in a lot of pain because his leg has swollen up from an infection.

“If we can’t get the infection under control, his life will be at risk and we may have to put him down.”

She added: “The fact is that he might lose his life because of a silly five-minute decision.”

Lucy said she has noticed a shift in Phoenix’s behaviour. She said it is a very friendly pony and would likely have approached the person who shot it.

Now, though, it has gone very quiet, isn’t eating and is not getting up off the floor.

Phoenix and its identical brother, Icon, are just over three years old and are used at Nick’s Farm as support animals for people with learning difficulties.

Phoenix and IconPhoenix and Icon (Image: Submitted)

The pair are taken on walks, brushed and used to keep the children company.

“It’s very upsetting because a lot of the people who come to the farm have additional needs and get very attached to the animals.”

Lucy also expressed concern about the pony's brother as they arrived at the farm together and have not been separated since birth.

Lucy added: “There is a time and a place to use BB guns and airsoft guns; there are places you can book into, but please don’t shoot guns around livestock.

“I hope it was an accident, but from how deep the wound is, I’m not so sure.”