We hear a lot about dog and cats being rescued and rehabilitated. It's practically a genre all its own.
Those stories are important and wonderful and inspiring, but it's important to remember that it's not just domesticated pets who suffer and need rescue.
Many smaller rescue organizations focus on specific animals, and they need our awareness and support too.
The story of Heidi starts with a concerned resident of East Durham, England reporting a troubling building site. Amidst the mud and garbage, there seemed to be the body of a dead horse.
A volunteer from the British Horse Society went to check it out and was shocked to discover that the horse was still breathing.
But the BHS volunteer turned to Here4Horses to give the horse, who was named Heidi, a chance for recovery.
Heidi couldn't stand or walk on her own, needing five weeks to regain enough strength to do so.
Besides severe starvation, Heidi had numerous pressure sores, worms, parasites, and various infections.
It took months of slow, careful treatment for her to recover enough to safely explore the outside pasture.
And once her wounds had healed enough for her hair to grow back, Heidi's true beauty began to shine through.
It took more than a year for Heidi's full transformation, but now she is an award-winning pony!
It's all thanks to Here4Horses, who weren't willing to give up on her.
In fact, they are currently rehabilitating another pony in need of similar treatment.
If you'd like to learn more or donate to support their work, visit the rescue's website.
h/t: Bored Panda
