A total of four people have now been arrested in connection with the murder and sexual assault of a horse.
The horse was found hacked to death in stables in Stifford Hill, Stifford on Monday.
The Shetland pony had been sexually assaulted during the attack.
A 31-year-old man from South Ockendon was arrested and bailed at the time.
On Thursday police arrested a 30-year-old man from South Ockendon and two others for assisting an offender.
They all remain in police custody where they are being questioned.
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