Sanctuary care
Taking care of over 1200 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules every single day is no mean feat. Redwings have become specialists in keeping so many horses – many with special requirements - in a natural, safe, and healthy environment.
Although we have over 1200 horses, we don’t have over 1200 stables! We try to mimic a horse’s natural environment as closely as possible, so our horses live outside 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, unless they need veterinary attention. Our horses are kept in a herd environment wherever possible as we believe it is beneficial for their psychological, as well as physical, wellbeing. Please click these links to read more about natural herds and equine companionship
Redwings is made up of nine sites across the UK, including a Reception Centre, where all of our new arrivals are quarantined and tested for infectious diseases, and a Rehabilitation Centre which is home to our residents that are undergoing handling training. Our Headquarters at Hapton houses our specialist veterinary centre that you can read about here. Because of their pasts, many of our residents need specialist veterinary care for an array of common – as well as some more rare – long-term conditions.
Some Redwings facts!
- > We get through over 10,000 bales of shavings every year
- > …as well as 1,400 tonnes of hay and haylage
- > Farriers carry out over 35,000 foot trims every single year
- > Our staff pick up over 12,000 droppings every day!
As well as being a fun day out, our visitor centres are the best way to see the sanctuary side of our work first hand. They are home to our adoption horses as well as some other very special residents.
