Rescue stories
Redwings rescues 35 starving ponies
On February 18th 2009 Redwings mobilised a team of horse boxes and staff rescue 35 feral ponies in a joint operation with the RSPCA. The ponies had been left to fend for themselves on the outskirts of Downham Market in Norfolk. The group were clearly not coping with the harsh winter weather and lack of food and both welfare organisations moved very quickly to secure the fate of the group.
Many of the ponies were living on a long strip of land between a railway line and the river. Conditions for the ponies were far from ideal and made the rescue operation particularly challenging.
Redwings was contacted by RSPCA Inspector Jon Knight as he was checking the ponies at Downham Market. Inspector Knight had found one pony so weak it had collapsed and, very sadly, the pony had to be euthanased where it lay to end its suffering. Inspector Knight's next priority was naturally to ensure the other ponies were protected from the same tragic fate. Redwings' Head of Welfare and veterinary surgeon, Nic de Brauwere, met Inspector Knight to assess the ponies and the conditions in which they were living and was quickly convinced that many of the ponies were in dangerously poor condition and needed to be removed. Less than 24 hours later, five Redwings horse boxes and more than 20 staff were on their way to Downham Market. As none of the ponies were handled, our particular skills in rescuing feral equines was needed to get all the family groups quietly and safely on board.
Even with their thick Winter coats, the emaciation of some of the ponies was still visible. This bay mare's spine, hips and shoulder blade are clearly protruding.
Moving feral ponies to the safety of Redwings may be the end of the rescue operation, but it is only the first phase of our challenge. Each pony has to be individually assessed and details recorded, any veterinary needs addressed and routine management such as worming, vaccinating and checking teeth carried out. When ponies are not used to people, this is no small task and needs the skill and patience of Redwings' specialist team. The charity also screens every new equine arrival for a highly contagious disease called Strangles. Thankfully, all the ponies from Downham Market tested negative for this nasty illness.
With just a few weeks of good food, routine care and TLC, the subdued ponies were almost unrecognisable. They quickly gained weight and, as they did so, started to behave like any other cheeky young equine! It was a pleasure to watch them come back to life so readily and staff were able to start handling exercises with many of the ponies. Many of the mares from Downham Market were preganant, and it wasn't long before foals started arriving. All males have been castrated to ensure this is the last generation of new arrivals for the group!
After just four weeks in Redwings' care, the group pictured above are looking very different, and full of life!
Despite the best efforts of the RSPCA, no owner was identified for the 35 ponies rescued that day in February. All the equines were subsequently signed over into Redwings permanent ownership and continue to blossom in the care of the charity. Most of the ponies are young and have no ongoing veterinary conditions, meaning that in time many of them may be able to benefit from Redwings' popular Guardianship scheme. Whatever the needs of these very special little ponies, their once dangerously uncertain futures are now safe and secure.
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