So sorry to hear that story, and the following one corralup! I was a horse welfare officer for the BHS in the UK for a couple of years and I can't tell you how many sickos there are out there! A guy who got nicknamed the 'Horse Ripper' appeared on my beat and it was the most horrendous time of my life. If you need to know more just Google it as it isn't the sort of thing I would want to share on a public forum. It was in Hampshire, UK in the early '90's. He was the worst but there were many more. Sadly horses seem to be a target for this sort of thing. Sometimes it's related to their owners, mostly not.
My advice to all owners is to take sensible precautions but horses cannot be kept in a bubble. They need to have freedom. If the risk seems real then make it supervised freedom for a while. Enjoy your horses and try not to worry too much, the chances of your animal being a victim is tiny unless you have a palpable reason to be concerned like corralup has. Makes me sick to think that this sort of thing is still going on. You have my heartfelt sympathy and empathy! <hugs>
All the best,
Heather
