A PONY abandoned with appalling leg injuries has made a dramatic improvement, say vets.

The nine-month-old filly, named Elsa by RSPCA staff after the character in the Disney film Frozen, suffered extensive wounds to her back legs.

Vets think her horrific wounds were caused by being dragged along the floor in an accident or being improperly harnessed to a cart.

She was left in freezing conditions in a remote lane near Washington and is thought to have suffered her injuries at least three days before she was found and taken to the RSPCA Felledge Equine Centre, near Chester-le-Street, for treatment.

Yard manager Lisa Paulin said: “We are so pleased with Elsa’s progress, she is doing so well and is such a sweet filly despite this terrible ordeal.

“We are very pleased to say she is even going out into her field now for short periods of time.

“When she first arrived she was clearly in so much pain from the wounds on her back legs. The injury was enormous and so severe that even her muscles were exposed”.

She added: “The vet who examined Elsa when she was first found predicted that she had been suffering with these wounds for at least three days before she was found, as the area was covered in dead skin and had become badly infected.

“Thankfully, we have been able to treat her legs with a special solution to create a barrier that has prevented further infection, and also helped the skin to repair so she is more comfortable.”

Centre staff say they have been overwhelmed with messages from wellwishers

Ms Paulin said: “Elsa has been very brave and in time when she has fully recovered, we look forward to matching her with her perfect adopter and forever home.”

Anybody wishing to donate funds or items such as horse rugs can do so via www.rspca.org.uk/local/felledge-animal-centre