Police probe incidents at Tracy Cooper Drive in New Forest

Police have launched an investigation after a pony broke its leg at a cattle grid and sharp objects were scattered at a popular picnic spot.

The two incidents took place during the Tracy Cooper Drive at the weekend.

A horse pulling a cart is reported to have broken its leg in two places at a cattle grid in Woodlands Road, Ashurst.

Balmer Lawn, Brockenhurst, was cordoned off by police after the area was left littered with sharp objects (Image: Newsquest)

Its death has sparked fury on social media, with animal lovers accusing the travellers of failing to ensure the welfare of their horses.

They have also condemned the people responsible for littering part of the eight-mile route with dangerous objects that could have injured people and animals.

The vandalism at Balmer Lawn in Brockenhurst has led to speculation that someone set out to sabotage the event.

The riverside site was shut by Forestry England to enable the travellers to cool their horses. But when police turned up to monitor the closure officers found it had been littered with tacks, screws, and broken glass.

Balmer Lawn at Brockenhurst was cordoned off by police after the area was left littered with sharp objects (Image: Newsquest)

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that a horse suffered a broken leg at Ashurst and had to be put down by a vet.

Asked about reports that at least one other animal had also died they said officers had not been made aware of any other deaths or serious injuries.

Police held discussions with the organiser over "any safety issues" involving the horses that took part in the drive.

The spokesperson said officers understood community concern around animal welfare issues and urged anyone with information to contact police instead of speculating on social media.

A Forestry England spokesperson added: "We were notified by police of an incident they were attending at our car park at Balmer Lawn.

"The car park has been strewn with metal tacks and screws, diesel poured on a number of trees, and broken glass bottles placed in and around the water’s edge. Several nearby gates allowing access across cattle grids had also been screwed shut."

Animal lover Gilly Jones, who helped remove the dangerous items, has taken to social media to condemn the person or persons responsible.

She said: "You might not have liked the idea of the event taking place but you have put so many more animals in direct danger."

In s statement posted on social media the organiser said most of the online comments made about the event were "absolute rubbish".

They added: "We did have someone attend the drive whose horse sadly broke their leg which led to the horse being put down. This incident didn’t actually happen during our drive.

"He was an elderly man and was very upset about it. He wasn’t driving his horse fast, he had his grandson on with him.

"He had never been down to the New Forest before and didn’t know the roads very well. He took his eyes off the road for a second to turn and ask the person following him a question, and when he turned back around it was a matter of it being too late.

"Unfortunately when you are putting on events with animals who have minds of their own and large amounts of people, accidents will happen.

"We can only try our best to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible but we can’t monitor every single person and their actions at every single second of the day.

"Like I said, the accident wasn’t even during our drive.

"Our drive brings so many positives to the New Forest. Yes, there are some people that have better looking and more well kept animals than others but that’s the case wherever you go.

"But we always put all the appropriate precautions in place to make it as safe as we can and we have the authorities there who monitor the day.

"We make sure the horses are well rested for two hours, washed down, and watered at each stop where the pubs provide us with water supply.

"As for the person who tried to sabotage our river stop at the Balmer Lawn by throwing nails, broken glass and covering the place in diesel.

"That so-called animal lover is not only putting the horses' lives in jeopardy but all the animals and not forgetting the families that attend the river for a day out.

"A young boy we know of cut his foot open on some broken glass."