Foal has to be wrapped in bandages after being set alight in arson attack

A poor foal left with full-body burns is making a slow recovery after miraculously surviving a horrific arson attack.

Phoenix the foal, who is just three months old, almost died when his tiny body was burnt to a crisp in a ‘barbaric act of cruelty’ last month.

He was discovered on a roadside in Kent after he escaped a stable in Ash, West Kingsdown at just seven weeks old when arsonists were suspected to have set it alight.

He was taken to Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Hapton, Norfolk, where he was given a ‘foster horse mum’ Mildred to care for him while he recovers.

Nicola Knight, communications manager at Redwings, said: ‘It’s very early days still but clinically Phoenix seems to be much stronger and is an absolute sweetheart, so our vet team are completely smitten.

‘He is getting on well with his new foster mum Mildred and has been having some turnout in the field each day which he really seems to enjoy.’

He has to be fully bandaged to prevent infection in his horrific burns, with the dressings needing to be changed every two days.

To cheer him up as he recovers, staff have decorated the bandages with adorable superman, ladybird and rainbow designs.

Phoenix still needs round-the-clock care including daily blood tests, and vets are considering giving him skin grafts.

The sanctuary said it has been flooded with donations and presents since his story came to light.

Nicola added: ‘We’ve been inundated with donations, cards and presents and the public have really taken him to their hearts.

‘So we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been in touch, it really means such a lot to us.’