Willow Nook Riding Academy's programme of horse care training and riding lessons for vulnerable teenagers and handicapped youngsters jeopardised by the burglary at the Pudsey stables.

But when Leeds-based saddlery importer Mirza Baig read of the £20,000 theft of saddles and other equipment in the Yorkshire Evening Post last week, he was moved to offer as much help as he could.

He called the YEP to offer free bridles, horse blankets, leather strapping and other items.

Mr Baig, whose company Mirza Shaharyar Baig Groups imports saddlery from Kantur in India, said he had been disturbed to hear of the break-in at the stables run by Tracey Walker and her three daughters in Scholebroke Lane.

"I was very upset to read of what had happened and the impact on the horse care training and riding lessons planned for local young people. I have no saddles I could give her, but I have other items she can have free," Mr Baig said.

Mr Baig has been in business for 35 years, the last dozen in Britain.
Ms Walker said: "What a lovely man Mr Baig is. He apparently works from home and supplies retailers and he has asked me how many horses I have. I told him there are 27 and he has offered me items worth up to £3,000."

Some of Ms Walker's customers have also rallied round to help with offers of riding tack. One woman who works for a Leeds pharmaceutical company and is a member of a riding group had urged friends in the same yard to have a clear-out of their old tack to offer Ms Walker. All the donated gear is now safely locked away.

Another woman who had been devastated by the theft of her own horse at Pudsey 17 years ago has offered a very grateful Ms Walker her tack.

"I must say the riding fraternity have responded wonderfully to my
plight,"added Ms Walker.

The special riding sessions, organised by North West Leeds Police and Leeds Youth Service for 40 deserving youngsters from Farnley, Pudsey and Swinnow, were being funded by cash confiscated from criminals by the courts.

The participants were to learn basic horse care and have a riding lesson.

Police are hunting the raiders who stole Ms Walker's tack by using cutting equipment to get into a metal shipping container.