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A four-month-old foal is fighting for his life after he was found dying on the side of the road in Essex earlier this week (Tuesday 17 February).
The RSPCA was called to the foal — who has now been named Gizmo — after he was discovered without his mother near Ridgewell Caravan Park in Halstead.
The police, a vet, a veterinary nurse and the yard manager from Catley Cross Veterinary Clinic all attended the incident and the foal has now been taken into care.
RSPCA inspector Sarah Elmy said: “Poor Gizmo was just abandoned without his mum and left to die by the side of the road.
“He was so weak he was just collapsed and couldn’t — and still can’t — stand and you can see every bone in his body, he’s so thin. We had to carry him to the van on a rug.
“He was so keen to live, though. Even though he was lying flat out, he was trying to reach forward and crawl himself along the ground to get to grass.
“As soon as we propped him up he was nibbling, trying to eat from our hand. It was heartbreaking.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“I just really hope he pulls through. He’s certainly trying his best.”
As well as being underweight, Gizmo was also riddled with lice, hypothermic, dehydrated and has since been found to be suffering from pneumonia.
Vet Carolyn Wise has said that his condition is still “touch and go”.
“Gizmo is walking a fine line,” she added. “But he is eating and trying to live so we have everything crossed he will pull through — he is such a lovely foal. He has melted all our heart.”
Anyone with any information about how Gizmo came to be in such a state is urged to call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.