RSPCA Lockwood rescue centre for donkeys and horses, in Witley, is appealing for a temporary home for a pregnant piebald mare.

Nicki was rescued by the RSPCA last summer, when she was found with her skin peeling off and suffering from severe ragwort poisoning.

Centre manager Anna Hemmings said: “Nicki is a very sweet mare who has endured a tough year, and now she is ready to have her foal, we would really like to see her in a home rather than here among the bustle of a re-homing centre.

“Ideally we would like a foster home with someone who has experience with caring for broodmares, who perhaps has another mare due to foal this spring or summer, so the foals can make friends and the mares can keep each other company.

“We would prefer the home to be not too far from us here at Lockwood, near Haslemere, as Nicki is due to pop in the coming weeks and it is not ideal for her to travel too far.

“We estimate Nicki to be around four years old.

“She was rescued in June 2015 from a field in Maidstone, Kent, suffering from severe ragwort poisoning and associated liver damage, which had led to photosensitivity to the sun.

“Thankfully, she was seized by the police and placed into RSPCA care. It was later discovered that Nicki was in foal.”

Nicki will need to be able to relax in peace at the foster home for up to six months until her foal is old enough to be weaned. She will then be available for full adoption, as will her foal.

Also looking for a new home at RSPCA Lockwood are two mares and their foals born last year.

Anyone wishing to meet Gypsy and her foal Jasmine, and Flicka and her foal Hiccup, can contact the centre to arrange a visit.

Anyone who would like to offer Nicki the perfect temporary home should contact Anna at RSPCA Lockwood on 0300 123 0720.