A PONY found cruelly abandoned in north Hampshire is fighting for her life.

The three-year-old female pony was found on Tuesday at around 2pm on the road between Preston Candover and Herriard, near the village of Bradley.

The pony, which has been named Beeches, weighs just 250kg, whereas a healthy pony of a similar size should weigh around 400kg.

Her bones are visible through her coat and she is suffering from a condition which could prove fatal.

Steff Lewis, who works with charity Brownbread Horse Rescue, based in Ashburn-ham, said: “She is in a really bad condition – she is very underweight and is very ill. It looks like she was taken out and just left there. It’s so cruel.”

A vet found that Beeches is suffering from redworm, a condition which can be deadly if left untreated.

Steff said: “She has obviously been ill for a while and we don’t know yet if it has already spread too far in her gut. There is the possibility she might not survive.

“We are just hoping that she will be able to make it. The vet said we should give her a fighting chance.”

The pony is being treated with steroids and is being well cared for.

The police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

PC Andy Reid said: “The pony was found by a member of public who has horses and who could see she is very underweight.

“The pony just went up to her – it wasn’t tied up and it was just walking along by the road.”

Anyone with any information about who may have abandoned the pony should call PC Reid, at Whitchurch police station, on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.