News stories
Tiny foal starts life at Redwings!
A tiny piebald Miniature Shetland foal has started life at Redwings, just weeks after her mother was signed over to the horse charity by her owner.
Gizmo’s mother Nooky was in poor health when Redwings found her. Heavily pregnant with Gizmo, Miniature Shetland Nooky also had conjunctivitis, hypothermia, poor teeth and sweet itch, with deformed and overgrown hooves.
Nooky before her little baby's arrival!
Redwings were concerned for her welfare – particularly as she was in foal – and, working in partnership with the RSPCA, the mare was seized. Her owners were located but they admitted that they had not been managing to provide the care required to get Nooky back into good health so they signed her over to the RSPCA, with Redwings offering her a permanent home.
Nooky has made good progress following her arrival at Redwings HQ in Norfolk, and has become quite a favourite with the staff as she has a very sweet nature and a rather endearing overbite! And even better, she now has a healthy, happy baby foal too!
Gorgeous little Gizmo, who arrived last week!
“Gizmo is a delightful little foal who is coming along well,” comments Redwings Head of Welfare Nicolas De Brauwere. “We are pleased that the Animal Welfare Act allows us to step in with cases like Nooky’s so we can work with owners and intervene to prevent suffering before it really takes hold. Nooky has made a fantastic recovery and we are delighted that little Gizmo is such a picture of health!”
Gizmo is the 23rd foal to be born at Redwings since January 1st 2009! So far this year we have taken in more than 180 horses, ponies and donkeys and have now had 18 foals born from rescued mothers. The charity’s work is funded entirely by public donation, visit www.redwings.co.uk to find out how you can help.
