Redwings Horse Sanctuary and Equine Veterinary Centre

Help Redwings today by getting involved

Redwings is the UK's largest horse sanctuary, caring for over 1,200 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules every day. Our work is funded solely by donations and with your help we can give these animals the best possible care so they can eventually be re-homed or enjoy a home for life at the Sanctuary.

To help us today, or to donate now, click one of the buttons below!

Redwings Top Story

04 May 2012 by Redwings Press Office

Say hello to baby Gin!

Baby foal Gin!

An orphaned foal rescued by the RSPCA from Merthyr common in Wales is now beginning a new life here at Redwings.

The tiny chestnut foal, since named Gin, was found by a member of the public when he was just a few hours old, all alone in the Mountain Hare area of Methyr Tydfil.

His mother was nowhere to be found, and despite the RSPCA’s best efforts, she was sadly never located.

No owner came forward for the foal and RSPCA officers were naturally concerned for his future, so they approached the team here at Redwings and he has now been transported to our headquarters in Norfolk to be cared for by our resident team of vets and carers, who will match Gin up with a suitable surrogate mother to help him as he develops and grows.

Redwings Senior Vet Nicky Jarvis said: “Orphaned foals are extremely demanding and require round the clock care. At three weeks old, Gin needs to be fed a milk substitute every two hours and demands constant attention; however he must not be overhandled, however tempting it might be, or he will be extremely difficult to manage in later life!”

“This is a terribly sad story, and it’s amazing that Gin is such a friendly little chap given all he has been through, but the RSPCA have done a wonderful job caring for him over the last few weeks and we hope that once we have found him a new ‘mum’ from amongst our herds here, and, with lots of TLC from our care teams, he will have a bright and happy future.”

Read more here...

Redwings in Action

19 April 2012 by Redwings Press Office

Rescue pony set to take on elite

An unkempt, neglected pony rescued from the roadside with a deep tethering wound has been busy proving to the showing world that success can come from the toughest of starts by qualifying for the Royal International Horse Show. Redwings Master Blaster - affectionately known as Pongo - was reported to the RSPCA by a member of the public in March 2009. Our Field Officer Jo Franklin attended and brought Pongo back to Redwings. The 13.1hh tri-coloured cob’s headcollar had become embedded in his neck creating a deep, raw wound that had been left untreated for some time. The RSPCA brought a prosecution against Pongo’s previous owner for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

> Read more here

11 April 2012 by Redwings Press Office

Nearly time for the Redwings Show!

It's nearly time for the Redwings Show which this year will take place on Sunday 20 May at Topthorn Equestrian Centre in Suffolk, with the good news that there will now be extra classes including one for everyone’s favourites, donkeys! A total of 61 classes this year means that there will be no excuse for horse, pony and donkey owners not to make the most of the day and hundreds of competitors are expected to make the journey to Topthorn Equestrian Centre in Suffolk. Last year, more than 200 horses and ponies took part.

10 Apr 2012 by Redwings Press Office (update)

Abandonment figures triple

Redwings has released figures and information which suggest that since 2009 the abandonment of horses has nearly tripled.
In 2009, 160 horses were reported to our Welfare team as being abandoned, and in 2010 that figure was 241. The figure for 2011 was 450, almost three times as many as two years ago. So far in 2012, an astonishing 396 abandoned horses have been reported to the Redwings Welfare team up to the end of March.