WARNING - contains distressing content: Abandoned foal found in Newark

VIDEO: This harrowing video of an abandoned, severely malnourished foal in Newark has been shared.

Local equine welfare charity Help for Horses have shared a video of the dumped black and white foal, who was found on Thursday morning by Severn Trent contractors off Quibell’s Lane (you can view the video here. WARNING - contains distressing content).

This severely dehydrated, emaciated male foal may have been there for a few days and when he was found, he was close to death. He was just 86kg when he was found, less than half his body weight, and received emergency fluids to save his life.

So far, Turnip is having round the clock care, is drinking plenty of water and has managed to so far raise his head slightly to nibble on some grass, but his condition is still very much touch and go.

He has been named Turnip by the Help for Horses volunteers who came to the rescue.

Janice Dixon, who runs the charity, said: "Many thanks to the Severn Trent contractors, Mr Jackson and Help for Horses volunteers for giving up their time to help with lifting and rescuing this poor foal."

There has been a spate of young horses and foals being dumped in Newark and the surrounding areas recently, with two horses abandoned in Collingham and another in Kelham in recent weeks, all on private land.

Now Janice is appealing to the public who own land to be vigilant and to make sure their land is kept secure with proper fencing and security to avoid irresponsible horse owners abandoning their unwanted horses.

If anyone has any information regarding the owner of this foal, please message Help For Horses at https://helpforhorsesuk.org/ or call Nottinghamshire Police on 101. You can also contribute to the charity via the Easy Funding app, where shoppers making purchases through Amazon can nominate Help For Horses