A police statement said the horse owner left her property on Port Fairy Road with four horses, two thoroughbreds and two miniature ponies, safely enclosed behind fencing and gates.

“Sometime overnight an unknown person has opened the gate and allowed the horses to walk out of the paddock, the statement said.

“The horses have then travelled up to five kilometres on main roads and residential streets until they were rounded up by members of the public and police around 6.30am.

“The two thoroughbreds were located near the Ararat Pony Club, with the two minis being found on Fishers Creek Road.”

Senior Constable Caroline Blackley said that the actions may seem trivial but if a motorist had of hit one of the horses on the road it could have been a lot more serious.

“These horses were out on the main road and if a driver had of ran into them it could have resulted in a fatality,” she said.

“We believe that this was a deliberate act as the owner has had some trouble with people getting into her paddock over the past month and riding some of the horses.

“On our advice, the owner of the property is upgrading her security by padlocking the gates and installing CCTV cameras,.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Ararat Police on 5355 1500 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au