‘Hope loved being near people but now she’s terrified...’

Apr 7 2008 by Tim Lewis, South Wales Echo

A CARDIFF couple who moved to West Wales to set up a riding school had one of their horses attacked – after they were mistaken for being English.

As well as the attack on their horse, anti-English graffiti was sprayed on their stables.

The couple believe the attack was carried out by people who mistook their Cardiff accents for English ones.

Someone had written ‘Cai Maes Sais’ in large white letters across the side of one of the stables in the middle of the night. It’s a slang Welsh saying meaning ‘English out’ and used in predominantly Welsh-speaking areas.

Alison Hayes, who was born in Cardiff, had bought land with her husband in Tegryn, near Crymych, Pembrokeshire, with the intention of setting up a riding school.

But she was shocked to discover one of her horses, called Hope, with a nasty-looking cut on its nose when she went to give it its morning feed.

The seven-month old pony had a 4in (10cm) wound on its face that required medical attention.

Mrs Hayes moved to the area with her husband last year and said the horse has been left traumatised by the incident.

She said: “It is awful, she is very frightened.

“She has a 4in piece of flesh hanging of her face.

“I just can’t understand it – I’m from Cardiff, I was born there. My mother and father are both Welsh so what’s going on?

“This is a Welsh-speaking area and they might have mistaken our Cardiff accents for English, that is all I can think,” she added.

“This was an incredibly cruel thing to do. Hope is a beautiful, friendly animal and she was slashed across the face and mouth.

“The motivation of these people was ridiculous and to take it out on an innocent horse was wicked.

“Hope loved being around people but now I can’t get near her. She is terrified.”

Dyfed Powys police are investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made.

They have encouraged anyone who may have any information to contact them immediately.

tim.lewis@mediawales.co.uk