Orphaned foal James is making a good recovery after a foster mum was found for the tiny colt.

James was taken in as an emergency by staff at HorseWorld after he had been abandoned and left to die.

Born prematurely, he was just three days old when he arrived at HorseWorld in Bristol and staff had to work around the clock to feed him and ensure he received vital medication.

The Post reported last week how grooms said he was so weak that they did not know if he would survive.

He also had a severe infection in his joints and had no natural immunity because he had not fed from his mother.

With his life hanging in the balance, the charity made a desperate appeal for a surrogate mare for the youngster.

It led to the owners of a grey Welsh Section A mare in Wiltshire coming forward after her own foal had died.

James was rushed to the pony, called Cassie, and the pair bonded immediately.

Sarah Hollister, a member of the welfare team at HorseWorld, said: "Cassie has accepted James really well.

"As soon as she set eyes on him, he was immediately able to feed from her.

"James has done so well despite going through so much.

"He is really bouncy and his joints have straightened up. He's a little fighter."

The colt had been discovered on common land in Wales by a member of the public, who alerted local vets.

Many other equine charities were unable to help because the economic downturn has put pressure on them and they are struggling to cope with the number of horses in their care.

There was a fear that James would have to be put down if no one could help, but HorseWorld stepped in because it has a policy of never turning away a horse in need.

His treatment has already cost thousands of pounds and an appeal has been launched to raise money for the foal's future care.

As long as the foster arrangement - organised with help from the National Foaling Bank - continues to be successful, James will stay with Cassie until he is six months old.

He will then be weaned and a decision taken about his future, although he will always remain in the ownership of HorseWorld even if he eventually goes to a loan home.

Anyone who wants to contribute to the appeal should contact HorseWorld on 0127 583 2425.