A tiny foal who was found abandoned and dehydrated, at just two-weeks-old, has been nursed back to health just in time for Christmas.

Oli the orphan was found in a field, in Tonbridge, by a stable hand back in June after being thrown over a five-bar gate.

Now six months later he is ‘alive and kicking’.

Jamie Sharp, who owns Jamie Lee Sharp Equestrian in Collier Street, Tonbridge, has been working with neighbouring Chequer Tree Farm ever since to make sure Oli gets all the help he needs.

He said: “When we found him we took him to the vet, who thought he was a week old. He should have still been with his mum and he was dehydrated.

“He was dumped at mine, which is where I sell horses, but he was taken in by the farm, with my help, due to the staff’s stud knowledge and their access to equipment for foals.”
At the time, the little horse was under 24-hour surveillance,being bottle fed every two hours. He was on a lengthy antibiotic course and had to be given a worm and flea treatment.

He was riddled with various infections and had a high temperature which caused vets to worry about his condition, but he has come on leaps and bounds and is now on solid food.

The 28-year-old horse dealer added: “ He is alive and kicking now, he is a cheeky one but he is a good boy.

“At the moment he is staying at Chequer Tree Farm, which is next door because they are best to deal with his needs.

“He is still on one bottle a day but he goes out to play with his little friends and he loves them even if they don’t love him as much.”

The recovery came as a surprise to staff as his condition didn't dramatically improve for many weeks after he was found.

When Oli started eating straw and hay that was a big milestone for his carers.

Mr Sharp added: “The teams have done an amazing job.

“It’s nice to give something back after all the horses give to us.

When he was first brought into the care of Jamie, there was much discussion on what the future would hold for Oli.

Mr Sharp decided he would keep him as the centre's special mascot, he said: “His future is secure and will be gelded in the new year.

“We will be keeping him as our mascot and if he continues to be a good boy, he might even get a carrot for Christmas.”

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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