A HORSE required surgery after it was shot as it grazed in a field.

Sally, 21, was discovered on September 16 with a deep wound in her back by her owner Christine Wakefield on her farm in Leigh.

Christine resulted to borrowing a friends metal detector to prove to vets that there was something lodged in Sally’s back.

Christine, of Walmsley Farm on Green Lane, said: “There have been lots of incidents around the back of Lilford Park recently.

“I found her when I went to bring her in. I’ve had her for 18 years and she is a tough cookie but I could tell knew she was in quite a bit of pain so that’s why I borrowed the metal detector.

“The X-ray showed a bullet or pellet very close to her spine and she needed surgery to remove it.”

Christine is worried that shootings in the area are becoming common and is worried because young children quite often play around there.

“An air rifle pellet was removed from Sally which means she was shot deliberately at very close range,” said the 49-year-old.

“There are always people walking and children playing around there and I am worried that it could have been worse.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.