Poorly pony nursed back to health by teddy bear takes first steps outside

This is the moment an orphaned foal took his first steps outside - after he was nursed back to health by a giant teddy bear.

One-month-old hill pony Breeze was found abandoned and dehydrated in Dartmoor National Park, Devon.

The poor creature had stumbled hopelessly around the hillside in an attempt to find its mother - even trying to suckle other mares to quench his hunger.

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Rescuers from a local equine sanctuary began nursing him back to health but he was missing something vital - a mum to cuddle and snuggle up to.

Caring staff at the Devon-based Mare and Foal Sanctuary thought Buttons, a four foot teddy, was the perfect companion for lonely Breeze.

The newborn immediately took to the bow-tie wearing stuffed surrogate - even sleeping soundly in its lap.

It wasn't long before Breeze regained his strength thanks to round-the-clock feeding and medication.

Weeks on he has now taken first his tentative steps outside - enjoying the sunshine and company of another tiny pony called Pippin.

Michelle Johnson, a stable hand and groomer at the sanctuary's Honeysuckle Farm in Newton Abbot, Devon, said: "He was quite poorly but now he's going from strength to strength.

"He's becoming a right little character. He's a real cheeky chappie and loves to go out in the field and play with his little friend Pippin.

"He charges around like a madman and picks up all sorts of things he shouldn't like sticks and stones. We're constantly chasing him around trying to get them out of his mouth."

Staff are gradually weaning Breeze off his bottle and on to a bowl so he gets used to feeding without the help of humans.

They hope he will eventually be re-homed, at which time his giant teddy mum will be passed on to another new arrival in need of a hug.

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The sanctuary certainly have no shortage of soft toys after photos of Breeze cuddling Buttons prompted well-wishers to send them dozens more.

Ms Johnson added: "He still likes to go and cuddle up with his teddies at night time. He loves them - we try and give him a new one each day.

"Hopefully when he's older, bigger and stronger he'll get re-homed and live a long and happy life."