It's just a mini horse, of course, but this one has an artificial leg

For most horses a broken leg can be equivalent to a death sentence. So for a miniature horse named Midnight, born without part of his right rear leg, the prognosis for survival wasn't good until he got a new leg and a new lease on life.

Four-year-old Midnight was recovered by authorities from a neglectful owner and brought to Ranch Hand Rescue, an animal sanctuary in the North Texas town of Argyle.

According to the Associated Press, Ranch Hand Rescue owner Bob Williams thought euthanasia might be the only option for the little colt — until he had an unorthodox idea. Williams approached Prosthetic Care in Fort Worth, which makes prosthetic limbs for people, about producing an artificial leg for Midnight. Horse artificial limbs have occasionally been tried before on horses with broken legs, but without much success.

Williams says he had only hoped a limb would allow Midnight to walk, but to everyone's surprise the colt starting running around just moments after his second prosthetic fitting.

"The first time we saw him run it made us cry, we all cried," Williams told the AP. "It's amazing that now Midnight has the opportunity to just be a horse."

Midnight is now on his third prosthetic leg, valued at $14,000, attached with velcro and worn only during the day. Williams says he hopes the miniature horse can live a long and full life.

As far as miniature horses go, he's even cuter than Lil' Sebastian.

Check out Midnight in action: