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Amersham rescue update one month onOne month on, the arrivals from the Amersham rescue are making good progressOn 9 January, Redwings was involved in a large rescue of horses from Buckinghamshire and we took in 21 horses, ponies and donkeys that day for veterinary care. This was an RSPCA-led case involving local Police and other charities including the ILPH and the Blue Cross. All organisations concerned worked as a team, and Redwings was pleased to involve 30 of its staff and eight horseboxes. Of those 21, one was a pregnant jenny donkey and on Thursday 10th Timothy arrived safely. Timothy is a beautiful foal (all legs and ears!), and we are delighted with his progress. After a week or so in a stable with his mum, Mary, he is now back outside in the field with the other new donkeys and having a whale of a time. Esther the donkey foal is now three months old and is getting braver by the day after her initial nervousness, but mum Martha is always close by just in case she needs moral support. Timothy is very keen to make friends but Esther is not so sure!
With the remaining horses, ponies and donkeys, progress is good and they are beginning to gain their confidence and now know their routine. The donkeys even wait by their feed bowls ready for their dinner and will make a great deal of noise if it's not brought exactly on time! With a lot of media attention over the last few weeks, we have focused on two baby donkeys but we are unable to discuss the other individuals in detail as some are likely to be used as evidence in the pending prosecution case being carried out by the RSPCA. However, we are delighted to say that all are doing well and we hope to be able to tell you more about them soon. In the meantime, we have been overwhelmed by the kindness of people across the UK and in fact all around the world who have rallied around to help support us at this challenging time. Many letters, emails and phone calls have come in offering messages of support and appreciation for the staff involved in the rescue and enquiring after the wellbeing of our special new arrivals. We have had donations sent in from all over the world and the response from individuals has been unprecedented – visitors have arrived at all our sites armed with rugs, feed and money and a huge and sincere thank you to all the individuals who have sent money or other donations. You are our stars!!
A number of supporters were even inspired to set up Operation Esther which was named after our little donkey foal. Horse lovers all over the country collected rugs, feed, bedding and money to share between all the charities involved in the rescue, involving a convoy of lorries, willing volunteers and a very complicated logistical set up. It was a truly overwhelming gesture and will help us no end when we take care of these special new arrivals. Feed company Spillers (www.spillers-feeds.com) have kindly donated an amazing 2t of feed for which we are so grateful, while Horseshoe Saddlery in Oxfordshire (www.horseshoesaddlery.co.uk) and Lavenham Horse Rugs (www.lavenhamhorserugs.com) have sent boxes and boxes of brand new rugs to keep the new arrivals lovely and warm. United Biscuits sent boxes of ginger biscuits for the donkeys (as occasional treats only of course!) while Camrosa donated a box of special herbal treatment lotion and Derby House Saddlery (www.derbyhouse.co.uk) are going to be collecting for Redwings in their eight shops around the UK. We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us in some way, no matter how large or small. A huge thank you from everyone here at Redwings, horses, donkeys and humans too!
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