A NEWBORN pony abandoned by its mother in a muddy quagmire has been rescued and taken in by an equine welfare charity.

Patrick, a Welsh cross Appaloosa, is thought to have been only a few hours old when inspector Dave McCormick from the Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) found him.

ABOVE: Patrick enjoying life in his new home

The organisation was alerted by a resident who had spotted the distressed foal alone in a field.

Mr McCormick said he had searched everywhere to try and locate the youngster.

He said: “I just saw a flash of white in a large, deep muddy section.

“It was then I realised it was the foal in question, and that he was stuck deep in the mud right up to his head.

“I quickly called in the HAPPA rescue team and a veterinary surgeon.

“We managed to pull him from the mud, but he was so cold I wrapped him in towels and a blanket to get warm.

“He was severely dehydrated and his temperature was extremely low.

“The vet confirmed that if the foal wasn’t given emergency treatment and care immediately, he would die.”

HAPPA said Patrick’s mother had taken no interest in him and would be unable to feed him.

The foal was taken to the organisation’s Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Shores Hey Farm, in Halifax Road, Briercliffe, where he was settled in to a specialist unit.

Staff worked in shifts to ensure the youngster was bottle-fed a milk substitute throughout the night.

Julie Jackson, the centre’s manager, said: “Patrick settled into the stable immediately, but I had to keep him warm.

“The only thing that would fit him was a dog jacket as he was so tiny.

“Last week was his first week out in the field and he is just beginning to learn how to be a pony.”