A foal is fighting for his life a week after being doused in inflammable liquid and set alight.
The animal, named Angus, suffered serious burns to his nose, face and legs after the attack.
His owners were on holiday in Skegness when the attack took place at their in Pinxton, Derbyshire, stables off Alexander Terrace between August 17-19.
Angus belonged to six-year-old Logan Appleby, with his mother Kayleigh saying he “cried his eyes out” when he discovered what had happened.
She said: “It’s sickening really to think someone could have done this. I dread to think what was going through his mind, he must have been really stressed.
“He’s now shaking and is really thin with the stress of it all. It’s taking a huge toll on him and when he gets down he finds it hard to get up.
“I come to the field every morning with the children and have to check whether he is okay before I let the children see him.”
The family adopted the foal, along with two others, three weeks after rescuing him from neglect. He was named Angus after the horse from Disney film Brave, with the other two horses called Hamish and Harris.
Mrs Appleby said: “I went to pick up one foal but ended up coming home with three. I’m the type of person that just can’t stand to see an animal suffer.
“And this is just heartbreaking. I just don’t know who could do this.”
The foal is recovering in the fields, but is forced to wear a rug wrapped around his body to keep him warm after his dramatic weight loss.
She said: “He’s so weak and thin. It’s only the fact that he’s eating so well which means I don’t call the vet and have him put down.”
Derbyshire Police are appealing for anyone with information about the attack to come forward.
PCSO Becky Davis said: “He’s fighting for his life and I’m appealing for help to catch whoever did this to the defenceless animal.”