In a bizarre act of theft at a Norwegian riding school, thieves made off with the tails of five beautiful horses and $15,000 worth of equestrian gear on Thursday, the New York Daily News reports.

The theft happened in the middle of the night on Thursday, and a spokesperson for the riding school described the incident as "animal abuse." Yeah, because the horses won't be as pretty anymore, sure!!

Via The Local:

"It is an assault and animal abuse. We cannot understand how anyone could do something like this. It almost seems like someone wants to strike at us. We just don't understand how another human being can make themselves do anything like it. It is pure devilry."

The riding school in Indre Østfold is working with police in an investigation to find the culprits. According to this article in The Star, stolen horsehair can be used for arts and crafts, violin bows, or to make fake manes and tails for show horses.

[Image via Shutterstock]