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Minstrel was one of 18 horses taken ill after eating what was believed to be contaminated haylage at Clough House Livery in Soyland.

The pony, who belongs to 12-year-old Gracie Greenwood, beat the odds, fighting his way back to health. All the other 17 horses died.

In all, Minstrel spent seven weeks being cared for at the Shelf Equine Hospital of vets Hird & Partners in Shelf.

Minstrel the pony with vet Sally Strachan, and owner Gracie Greenwood, 11, at Hird and Partners horse hospital, Shelf.

On Saturday, Minstrel was well enough to go home and the veterinary staff who looked after him gave him an emotional send-off.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the yard and Gracie’s mum Maria said: “Minstrel is a miracle pony. He really fought so hard to survive.”

Back in October the Courier reported how horses at Clough House were struck down, and fears were raised it was a rare case of botulism, powerful toxins which attack the nervous system.

Maria, of Fountain Head Village, told how one horse collapsed with a mystery illness and had to be put down the following day.

Over the next six days 17 horses were lost, including another of the family’s horses Harley, a Belgian Draught, owned by Maria and another of her daughters Hollie, 26.

Vet Sally Strachan, a partner at Hird’s, praised the team which cared for Minstrel so well during his stay.

Resident vet Victoria Beck was on hand as nursing assistants Sarah Foster and Lisa Kitchen hardly left Minstrel’s side during the intensive round-the-clock care.

Sally said: “His symptoms peaked at three weeks and there were lots of times we didn’t think he’d make it but none of us lost the faith. He is something of a miracle.”

The source of the outbreak has been identified. It was an isolated incident and there were no further cases.

Test results proved inconclusive but the horses were treated for classic symptoms of botulism.

A group of nine owners are pursuing legal action against the livery yard. Minstrel is insured for £3,500 per illness but his care will cost well over that.

The yard did not respond to a request for comment and calls went unanswered.

Christmas joy after miracle pony Minstrel survives poisoning tragedy