A seriously-ill Shetland pony has been adopted from a Pitsea sanctuary - by the vet who is nursing him back to full health.
The pony, named Stilton, was sent to the Essex Horse and Pony Protection Sanctuary from Tilbury by the RSPCA.
The neck of the four-year-old horse had become infected and was severely swollen.
It eventually lost around a third of its flesh around its neck due to infection.
Sanctuary staff sent the pony to the Blaircourt Equine Veterinary Centre in Rettendon for treatment - and there Norwegian vet Cessy Knutzen fell in love with him.
Cessy, who already owns a horse of her own, takes ownership of Stilton today after the completion of the relevant paperwork.
It's the first time she had adopted a "patient". She said: "He is so cute and just a really nice character. We are hoping he will be all right - we are keeping our fingers crossed."
My new pony - vet Cessy Knutzen with Stilton, the Shetland pony recovering from a serious neck wound
Picture: ANDY PALMER
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