A MAN allegedly punched a horse in the face as well as kicked and abused it as it was tethered in residential area.

Residents in Kendal Avenue, Millbrook, have grown to love the horse, known as Mare, which has been seen tethered in the area every summer.

But on Sunday night, one neighbour rang the police after she said she saw the horse's owner punching and shouting at the horse which left a wound on her head.

Krystal Paterson, who lives in Kendal Avenue, said: "I heard outside really bad language and shouting, I looked out and saw a man was tripping over himself and had hold of the horse.

"He was punching the horse in the face, smacking and kicking her - his wife was trying to pull him off but he was bigger and she couldn't do it."

The Slimming World consultant and mother-of-three added: "We have been here nearly three years and Mare has been here every summer.

"She is a very gentle and loving horse and me and my children go down with apples and carrots for her.

"It was horrific, I felt sick and I was frightened.

"I haven't slept for two nights because of this."

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: "We were called at 11pm on July 31 regarding an allegation of animal cruelty towards a horse.

"Officers attended the scene in Kendal Avenue and spoke with the owner of the horse.

"Investigations are ongoing."

Mrs Paterson took to social media expressing her concern for Mare, writing a post which has been shared more than 1,000 times and attracted the attention of Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes.

Writing on the post, Ms Nokes asked them to send her more details and told the Daily Echo: "As a trustee at World Horse Welfare I am always anxious to see equestrian animals are being looked after and always happy to pass on details to the charity to see what action they can take."

Southampton City Councillor Jacqui Rayment, who also commented on the post, said: "I have put it through to my open spaces team who deal with horse issues.

"We take animal welfare issues very seriously and work with other organisations to eradicate abuse of any animal."