Former 'Daily Show' host Jon Stewart adopts Lily, the emaciated 'paintball pony' abandoned in New Holland

The "paintball pony" that was abandoned -- lame, half blind and covered in what appeared to be more than 125 paintball impact marks -- has a new home with Jon Stewart, former host of "The Daily Show."

Stewart and his wife, Tracey, own an animal sanctuary in New Jersey that is home to "many unwanted animals," according to a statement issued Friday by Lancaster County SPCA director Susan Martin.

The horse -- named Lily by SPCA workers -- will be released amid much hoopla next week from the Omega Horse Rescue & Rehabilitation Center in Airville, York County.

"Oh my God, she's phenomenal," Omega director Kelly Smith said of the horse on Friday. "You wouldn't recognize her, she's a different horse."

Lily has gained "several hundred pounds" since her treatment began, Smith said, and she's adapted easily to having only one eye.

"I don't think we could ask for better," Smith said. "She'll be living the life of Reilly. She'll be well cared for, and she'll never want for anything again."

Bufflehead Farm

According to a statement posted in October 2015 by the animal rescue group Farm Sanctuary, the Stewarts partnered with the organization to open its fourth sanctuary on the couple's New Jersey farm.

The Stewarts bought the farm to start their own animal rescue site, the organization reported, but later decided to work with Farm Sanctuary instead.

Now called Bufflehead Farm, the 12-acre nonprofit rescue facility in Middletown, New Jersey, will be home to dozens of cows, pigs, sheep, turkeys and other animals rescued from factory farms.

Jon Stewart is a longtime proponent for animal welfare, often using "The Daily Show" as a forum for his views on the subject. Tracey Stewart is a licensed veterinary technician, author and animal rights advocate.

Lily will be taken to her new home after a press conference at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Omega. Smith said Tracey Stewart -- and maybe Jon Stewart, too -- will attend.

Lily will be living at Bufflehead with at least two other mares, Smith said.

Cruelty conviction

The SPCA and New Holland police investigated the incident after the horse was found abandoned and malnourished in a stall at New Holland Sales Stables on March 15.

Philip Price Jr., 65, of East Providence, Rhode Island, was convicted Friday of three counts of animal cruelty and other charges for his role in bringing the horse from New Jersey to New Holland and leaving it at the stable.

Lily was treated at the New Bolton Center in Chester County, undergoing eye surgery and other treatment before being discharged in April to convalesce at Omega.