Police are investigating after a six-week-old foal was stolen from trainer Nathan McPherson’s Carrum Downs property on Monday.
The newborn horse, Holly, requires around-the-clock care after a tendon issue left her unable to walk.
McPherson says his family had been left devastated and are pleading for the safe return of their beloved Holly.
“It’s just unconditional love you know,” Mr McPherson told Melbourne’s Channel 9 News on Monday.
McPherson had designed leg splints with the help of a vet to help to help the foal overcome her disability.
“He’s been sleeping in the paddock, literally sleeping in the paddock, with her for the past six weeks, feeding her every hour,” Nathan McPhersonโs sister, Bianca Wills, said.
McPherson contacted police after discovering the remnants of the homemade splint scattered throughout a paddock.
“I didn’t hear or see from her and as I started to walk through the paddock, noticed her bandages and splints and bits of pipe made up for her braces were scattered all through the paddock,” he said.
Holly is the first foal from retired racehorse Zagenza, who won $22,000 in her 11-race career.