A Scots riding school has recovered two ponies reportedly stolen by two schoolgirls and ditched in a shed five miles away.
Hayfield Riding School in Bonnybridge said ponies Zak and Toby were taken on Friday night by “a 12 year old girl and her friend” and discovered in a tin shed in Hallglen the following afternoon.
The animals were without food or water when they were discovered. The school confirmed multiple people had spotted the ponies, which the children were riding bareback on a main road, without helmets or hi-vis.
Taking to social media, the school wrote: “A 12 year old girl and her friend took my ponies from the field. In the pitch black last night.
“This girl was a formal pupil of my riding school. The ponies were ridden bare back, no high viz, no hats. Ponies and children could have been killed!!!”
They then issued an update, stating the animals had been found: “Found them in an abandoned tin shed in Hallglen. Thankfully ponies and the children safe! It is completely unbelievable.
“My poor ponies are sore and tired but they’re all cosied up tonight. So glad to have them home. What a fright!!!
“I am holding myself back from posting names on here, I won’t but any riding schools or yards in the area if they want to know who it is pm me! I am utterly shocked at this. All gates to field and codes changed.”
The two children were identified when their “mortified” parents came across dashcam footage on social media and came forward.
Police Scotland said it would be “speaking to those concerned” in the incident. A spokesperson said the force had received a report of two ponies missing from the riding school.
They added: “Inquiries are ongoing to establish circumstances of the incident.”
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