TWO boys involved in a shocking attack on a pony at an equestrian centre in Bourton-on-the-Water will spend time working with animals at the site to apologise for their actions.

The Standard reported last week how a video showing a boy throwing a stone at a white pony at Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre had been shared thousands of times on social media, with people horrified by what they had seen, calling for a strong punishment.

Two boys were soon identified as those who had thrown the stone and filmed the incident.

Officers decided that restorative justice is the most appropriate course of action and the teenagers were taken to meet the pony, called Robin, and have offered to volunteer at the centre.

PC Nick Westmacott from Gloucestershire Police wildlife crime unit, said: “We completed a restorative justice resolution with the youth who threw the stone, and the one who filmed it.

“In line with the stable owner’s wishes, the youths have apologised for their actions and have met the horse involved and have offered to give up their free time and volunteer to help out at the stables, to better understand the welfare of horses and the upset this has caused the stable owner.”

Leanne Launchbury, who owns the pony, said she was pleased with the result. “They are just children so there is little else that can be done.

“Hopefully they will now keep their noses clean and understand the impacts of their actions,” she said.

Facebook users welcomed the restorative justice method to deal with the case.