A YOUNG pony had to be put down after he was found in an emaciated condition, covered in lice and almost too weak to stand in the New Forest.

It was discovered on Tuesday (April 24) on the B3080 near Turf Hill, just past Hale, between 11.30am and 11.45pm, and is believed to have been abandoned.

The male pony was seen by a passing driver. The woman, who wished not to be named, said the animal was "standing there traumatised" and had an injury to its face.

She says she stopped the car and went to the animal's aid.

She initially thought the animal had been in a accident.

"The poor little thing couldn't move," she said. "I got my arms around it and then rang the Agister."

She added: "He was covered in lice and was full of worms. He was so weak.

"He was in a terrible state. The lice were running on him.

"It was horrendous."

"We went to put him in the trailer and he collapsed and we had to have him put down," she said.

The incident was reported to World Horse Welfare who are calling for anyone with information or dash cam footage to come forward.

There have been reports that a man was spotted leading a pony along the B3080 close to Morgan's Vale and The Ridge, past Woodfalls Post Office at around 10.30am on the morning it was found.

World Horse Welfare field officer Penny Baker said: “Members of the public stopped to help this poor young pony and working with a vet and an Agister organised transport for him but unfortunately he was just too weak and very sadly had to be put to sleep.

“Leaving a horse or pony to suffer in this way is completely unacceptable. We want to specifically hear from anyone who saw a man walking a pony on this route or from any business or property along the route that has CCTV, or perhaps a driver with a dash cam.

“Anyone with any first-hand information should call World Horse Welfare’s UK Welfare Line on 08000 480 180.”