Provincial police are investigating after a Princeton, Ont. farmer reported that someone broke into his paddock and stole hair from a horse.

Horse farmer Randy Ferrell was touring his farm with visitors when he noticed something was amiss. His 25-year-old white Arabian Morgan horse, named Hotshot, was missing about a metre of hair.

Ferrell told CTV Kitchener on Tuesday that he believes someone snipped the tail off after hopping the fence of his farm, located approximately 60 kilometres east of Hamilton, Ont.

"When they cut the tail off, they did not damage the horse at all. They knew what they were doing," he said.

Though the horse was uninjured, Ferrell said it hasn't been the same since the incident. The horse doesn't bite or kick, but has been shy around humans. Because of the horse's age, his tail will never grow back, Fennell said.

Hotshot has also lost more weight than is typical of most horses during the winter, Ferrell said.

Ferrell said he believes the thieves stole the hair to sell it. Horse hair can be used in musical instruments, jewelry and hair extensions for humans and show horses.

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating the theft, and ask anyone with more information to come forward. The Oxford County detachment can be reached at 1-888-310-1122.

Ferrell hopes that the thief, or thieves, will come forward with an apology.

"If the person that did it wants to come back down and apologize, we'll definitely take the apology."

With a report from CTV Kitchener's Alexandra Pinto