LITTLE orphan Oreo’s sob story just takes the biscuit.

Born in March last year, his mother died just minutes after giving birth to him.

Not knowing what to do, the following day his owner bundled the frail foal in the car and took him to the door of the Essex Horse and Pony Protections Society, in Pitsea Hall Lane, Pitsea, pleading for help.

Oreo had gone all night without eating or drinking, and was dangerously dehydrated.

But staff at the sanctuary were not about to lose their beloved newest addition, who has now been labelled their “super ninja foal!”

They put in an emergency call to Charlotte Andrews from Essex-based Paton & Lee veterinary practice to come and examine Oreo and to bring vital replacement mare's milk for the foal.

In the meantime Oreo was so cold that he was wrapped up in a duvet and four hot water bottles, while staff took turns lying next to him all night, cuddling him to give him as much body warmth as possible.

Too weak to suckle on a teat or drink from a bowl, Oreo had to have milk tubed directly into his stomach and it was touch and go whether he would make it.

After a barrage of tests, some fantastic veterinary care and a lot of TLC, however, he made a full recovery and was soon back on his very wobbly feet.

He was given the name Oreo due to his brown and white colouring, just like the popular biscuits.

Oreo is now the star of the horse sanctuary and has many friends his own age.

In honour of his first birthday, the sanctuary is throwing a birthday party for him between 1pm and 4pm on Sunday. There will be a face-painter, birthday cake, a children’s DJ and fun and games.

The society, which has been rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming abandoned, abused and neglected horses and ponies for 32 years, costs around £15,000 per month to run.

Extra funds are also needed to fix the the barn roof, stables and fencing.

From next week the sanctuary, currently home to 49 horses and ponies, two goats, two pigs and four cats, will be open to the public every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 11am until 4 pm, with visitors able to enjoy tea and cake in its newly refurbished tea room.

For more information, visit ehpps.org.uk.