01 October 2025

A sad goodbye to our beloved Baby Face Nelson

Photo of Shetland pony Baby Face Nelson, he is stood side on to the camera.

We’re so sorry to share some incredibly sad news with you. Our much-loved Adoption Star and cherished member of The Gangsters, Baby Face Nelson, sadly passed away on Wednesday 10th September 2025. He was 15 years old.

Baby Face, a Miniature Shetland who lived at Redwings Caldecott, had always been the smallest of the group and had experienced bouts of colic over the years. When he began showing signs of colic over the weekend, we brought him and his best friend Reggie to our Horse Hospital at Redwings HQ for intensive care.

Despite receiving round-the-clock treatment - including IV fluids, pain relief and tubing - he didn’t recover as quickly as we’d hoped. He underwent surgery on Tuesday evening, which initially went well, and we were hopeful. But sadly, our vet team had reported that the colic was very severe and so they were not sure how he would recover. By Wednesday morning, he had deteriorated again and when he didn’t respond to further treatment, our vet team made the incredibly difficult decision to put him to sleep to prevent any further suffering.

A photo of Shetland pony Baby Face Nelson cantering in a field.

Baby Face Nelson cantering in his field earlier this year.

Baby Face’s passing left Reggie on his own at Caldecott, so we’ve permanently moved him back to Aylsham to be reunited with the rest of the Gangsters group. Happily Reggie has settled back with his Gangster friends very well. If you’d like to visit him, the details of Redwings Aylsham can be found here.

Baby Face and his five fellow Gangsters first came to Redwings in 2011 after their owner sadly passed away. With no one able to care for them, they were brought to the Sanctuary to ensure they had a safe and happy future.

Everyone here adored this little chap. He had such a big personality for such a small pony and we’re truly devastated by his loss and we know you will be too. Thank you so much to everyone who adopted and loved Baby Face - you helped us give him a wonderful life at Redwings.

If you would like to make a donation in Baby Face’s memory, you can use the box below. Thank you so much #RedwingsAngels

We have written to all The Gangsters’ adopters to share the news, if you haven’t yet received this we do apologise, our letter should reach you very soon.