Teddy the abandoned foal celebrates his 1st birthday after miraculous recovery

Little foal Teddy was left to die at the side of a busy Buckinghamshire road when he was just eight weeks old.

He was found starving and alone, without his mother, in September last year and was rescued by the Thames Valley Police, who brought him to The Horse Trust.

Jeanette Allen, Chief Executive of The Horse Trust said, "Teddy's story is inspirational to us all. No-one thought this tiny foal would survive, there was even a moment when he lay with his head on my lap and I thought he had breathed his last."

The trust says young colt foals like Teddy are being abandoned at "crisis" levels because they have little monetary value.

When tiny Teddy was found he was so ill that he was rushed to the Royal Veterinary College where he spent weeks in intensive care. His chances of survival were slim but Teddy never gave up his fight for life.

Although cruelly separated from his mother, Teddy found a best friend and role model in the lovely George, a 36-year-old Shetland Pony.

George taught Teddy how to be a pony and a team of dedicated vets and staff at the Horse Trust helped him make a gradual recovery.

His treatment and care were made possible by dedicated sponsors who were able to follow his fight for survival on Facebook.

Teddy is now a happy, healthy and cheeky young pony with a bright future and this week he celebrated his 1st birthday in the company of friends, sponsors and Horse Trust supporters.

Allen added: "Thanks to the specialist treatment, round-the-clock care and Teddy's incredible spirit he now has a bright future.

"Teddy's recovery was only possible thanks to the generosity of members of the public who make donations to The Horse Trust help pay for his treatment and care.

"We are so grateful to everyone who helped give Teddy a second chance at life."