A PONY has been seriously injured in a suspected chemical attack and is now being cared for at an equine hospital in Ryedale.

'Cinders', as she is now called, was rescued after being abandoned in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and suffering from severe facial burns following the "callous" attack.

She was found by a member of the public who alerted the RSPCA and she was later transported to the Rainbow Equine Hospital, in Old Malton, for further assessment and treatment.

Vet David Rendle, who works at the hospital, said: "When she arrived at the hospital she was very weak and was unable to open her eyes due to severe burns affecting her eyelids. It is thought that the attack was deliberate and resulted from a chemical being thrown in her face.

"The team at Rainbow Equine Hospital treated her with pain relief and antibiotics and on Wednesday morning her face was cleaned and the areas of dead skin carefully removed to reduce the risk of infection."

He added: "She was anaemic due to the ongoing blood loss and she was riddled with lice and intestinal parasites.

"A blood transfusion was given to increase levels of blood cells and proteins that are vital for healing. Once the treatment had started, she started to eat and become much brighter stronger."

Mr Rendle said that her facial injuries will take time to heal but she is making "very good progress."

He explained: "We need to know for sure that her eyelids aren't going to peel away. It's going to be a few days until we know.

"We don't want to leave her in chronic pain. We may have to put her down if that was the case.  Obviously we are optimistic that isn't going to be the case."

Mr Rendle also said the hospital rarely sees deliberate acts of cruelty. "This is particularly callous," he commented.

There are concerns over the injuries around her eyes and she will require ongoing replacement of the protein that is being lost across her skin as well as wound management and possibly skin grafts.

The cost of her initial treatment is being funded by the RSPCA and Rainbow Equine Hospital.

Contributions towards her ongoing care are welcome and can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rainbow-equine-hospital