Despite the fact that many of us cannot fathom how anybody could neglect and abuse an animal, sadly, it still occurs every single day.
However, thanks to heroic volunteers like those at the British Horse Society and equine charity Here 4 Horses, neglected animals like Heidi the pony can be given a second chance at life.
Heidi was found by volunteers back in April 2018 after a member of the public notified the UK's RSPCA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). But nobody could have prepared themselves for how they found her.
Arriving at a squalid building site in East Durham, England, the volunteers realized they’d encountered one of the most severe cases of neglect they'd ever seen - and actually believed Heidi has died until they suddenly noticed her breathing.
Now, her incredible road to recovery has been documented on social media - and it is enough to make anybody cry
Writing on the Here 4 Horses Facebook page, a spokesperson for the organization said:
"A call from a member of the public to the RSPCA, led to a BHS volunteer making a visit to an East Durham building site in April 2018. The volunteer was horrified at what she first thought was a dead horse amongst the mud and rubbish.
"Moments later however, the horse was seen to be breathing and the shocked volunteer quickly made a call for assistance. Heidi’s story has been captured on video and can be viewed at the Here4Horses YouTube channel.
"We have rarely seen such a serious case of neglect and despite many setbacks during the recovery process, Heidi always showed a brave, fighting spirit. We believe this spirit was central to her remarkable recovery."
Speaking to BoredPanda about the incredible transformation, Wendy Suddes from Here 4 Horses explained that during Heidi's rescue that "when rescuers turned up, they met with a knackerman (somebody who professionally removes animal carcasses) who had been called by the owner to come and collect her body.
"Whether he thought she was already dead is irrelevant—she had been subject to the most awful suffering."
However, "the decision was made to give her a chance and it took five people to lift her to her feet."
Went then revealed that Heidi was considered to be critically ill, unable to stand or walk by herself.
"The early days were touch and go, as we dealt with her serious weakness and such a low blood protein level that a plasma transfusion was required," she added.
Heidi relied on liters of blood donated from healthy ponies in order to survive, and it took over five weeks for her to be able to stand unassisted.
Wendy said: "Too many sores, worms, parasites, and infections had been given time to take hold and it took months and months to get Heidi well enough to run free in our pastures."
But Heidi's fiesty attitude meant she kept fighting, and over the last two years, her hair has grown back, she has gained weight, become healthy, and is now a rosette-winning pony.
Wendy concluded by saying that they see cases like Heidi's perhaps once or twice a year.
If you would like to know more about Here 4 Horses or help their team of committed volunteers to save neglected horses and ponies, please visit their website to find out how you can help.