11 August 2026

Echo has a spring in his step after specialist treatment

Photo of Echo the young horse walking towards the camera

A yearling born here at Redwings after his mother was neglected can run around pain-free after specialist surgery and rehab at our dedicated Horse Hospital.

Colt Echo was born to mare Electra, one of ten thoroughbred-types given a forever home after their owner was prosecuted by the RSPCA.

Electra was one of four mares the man from Suffolk was convicted of welfare offences in respect of, three of whom were pregnant. Sadly, Echo is the only foal who survived after one mare died and the other foal didn’t make it.

The group arrived in March 2025, and Echo was born in June. A further six horses arrived in February this year, after the case concluded and the owner was banned from keeping animals for life.

Echo as a newborn foal.

Nicky Jarvis, Head of Veterinary and Care, said: “Unfortunately Echo developed a flexural deformity of the coffin joint, known as a ‘club foot’, which meant his tendon didn’t have enough flexibility to allow his heel to drop.

“Following an episode of lameness, we then diagnosed sesamoiditis (inflammation of the proximal sesamoid bones that lie behind the fetlock joint) which caused pain and further discouraged him from dropping his heel to the ground.

“We gave him pain relief and moved him onto woodchips at our Horse Hospital to rest, along with his mum Electra, where our brilliant farriers also gave him specialist trims to try to help, but unfortunately it didn’t improve matters enough.

“We sent X-rays to our colleagues at specialist equine hospital Rossdales for some additional advice and they recommended that Echo needed surgical intervention.

“Usually an operation like this would involve the horse having to be travelled but as we have a dedicated Horse Hospital and theatre, we were able to have one of their expert vets come to us instead, which meant Echo and his mum could stay in the comfort of familiar surroundings.

“The surgery, which involved cutting and releasing the inferior check ligament, went well, and our dedicated horse care team followed it with a rehab programme including physio, timed walks and picking up his other legs to encourage the heel to drop on the affected limb, over several months.

“Finally, I’m happy to say, Echo has a spring in his step! He’s doing so well that he can now run around pain-free! His progress is wonderful to see.”

Richard Payne, Clinical Director at Rossdales, who carried out the surgery, said: “We've had a fantastic relationship with the team at Redwings for many years and are delighted to have played a part in achieving success in this case.

“They're lovely people dealing with tough situations with limited resources and we're happy when we're able to help.”

Photo of Echo the horse in surgery with Redwings Vet Nicola Jaris and Rossdales vet Richard Payne.

Echo in surgery with Redwings Head of Veterinary and Care, Nicola Jarvis, and Clinical Director at Rossdales, Richard Payne.

The group of ten horses associated with the prosecution case have needed extensive treatment since arriving at Redwings, including surgeries, plasma infusions and dentals, proving rescuing is never as simple as bringing a horse into charity care.

“If you’re able to make a donation towards Echo and his friends’ continued care, and to help us be Ready to Rescue, we’d be so grateful, and to everyone who already has, thank you so much,” said Nicky. “As a charity reliant on donations, the treatment that Echo and his friends have received in our care wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

You can donate to help us be Ready to Rescue here, thank you!