Sharif, a 23 year-old gelding, escaped with his life after a pellet was fired at his neck, missing a main artery by inches.

Police, vets and animal welfare groups have condemned the shooting and branded the attack as "cowardly" and "disgusting".

Sharif was grazing in a field at Whitehill Farm Mains, near Musselburgh, when the airgun attack took place last Friday morning.

Owner Linda Pantellerisco, 44, has been left "shocked and angered" by the incident.

She said: "I was out for lunch when it happened and had left my phone in the house. A friend who was riding Sharif that morning had left me lots of frantic messages. When I saw all them I panicked.

"It's really sickening that somebody could target an innocent animal like this.

"We've never had any problems like this before, and I feel really shocked and angry that these cowards could do this.

"Sharif had to have three injections before the vet could pull the pellet out. It looked really painful for him.

"I just hope the police can catch these idiots because I wouldn't want this happening to another animal owner."

Sharif, a former two-time novice show jumping champion, was treated by vets on site with the aid of a local anaesthetic and is expected to make a full recovery.

Tom Brown, who treated the horse at Links Vet Group, said: "This horse was very lucky. Had it struck less than two inches on either side it could have punctured the main neck artery and we would have had a dead horse on our hands within minutes.

"And, had the pellet struck an eye, the horse could have been blinded.

"I occasionally treat cats and dogs that have been shot at, but this is the first time that I've seen a horse targeted.

"It would be interesting to see how the person responsible for this cowardly act would react to having an airgun fired at his throat."

Miss Pantellerisco has owned the horse for almost 20 years. Another of her geldings was close by but was uninjured during the attack.

A spokesperson for the SSPCA said: "We are disgusted to hear a horse had been shot with an airgun near Musselburgh.

"Sadly, air gun incidents involving animals are reported far too frequently and Sharif was fortunate to have survived.

"The person responsible could easily have killed Sharif and they had no way of knowing he would receive such prompt vet treatment for his injuries."

A police spokeswoman said: "This was a mindless attack on a defenceless animal. Although the horse escaped with minor injuries, it was considerably distressed by the incident. "Enquiries are continuing, and we would appeal for anyone with any information to come forward."