29 July 2025

Four ponies who needed help have a secure future because of you!

Three ponies trotting onto a grass paddock.

The future is secure for four ponies who are living together here at Redwings after being removed from Gelligaer Common in South Wales.

Bonnie, Tyler, Tom and Jones are settling into life as sanctuary residents, after coming into our care in January.

Watch Bonnie, Tyler, Tom and Jones arrive at Redwings HQ here!

Photo of three ponies trotting away from the camera

Redwings - alongside other charities* and in partnership with the Gelligaer and Merthyr Commoners’ Association - arranged their rescue after concerns were raised for their wellbeing, as part of an on-going project to improve the welfare of the common’s herds.

Three-year-old mare Bonnie was in poor body condition and had separated from the rest of the herd along with her foal at foot, filly Tyler. Colt Jones and his mother, who was very underweight, was with them. Very sadly, after her arrival, she had to be put to sleep because her condition went downhill. Foal Tom, another colt rescued on the same day, is a very similar age and the two have become firm friends.

Photo of four ponies out on the commons, they are skinny.

Jones, Bonnie, Tyler and Jones' mother on Gelligaer Common in South Wales.

Nic De Brauwere, Redwings’ Head of Welfare and Behaviour, said: “The two mares and their foals were found alongside some cows having isolated themselves from the other ponies on the common, and were in bad shape.

“Jones’ mother was particularly skinny and unfortunately her underlying ailments did not respond to our best efforts. When she deteriorated further, she had to be put to sleep to prevent her from suffering.

“All of the ponies have a degree of liver disease they need support for, in addition to damage done by a parasitic-worm burden, which was the main contributor to their poor condition."

Bonnie, Tyler, Tom and Jones at the Redwings arrival centre.

Nic said: “Bonnie’s condition has improved thanks to veterinary treatment and care, and - now they have responded enough to leave our arrival centre - all are benefitting from the pleasure of being out on our grass pastures.

“They’re not out of the woods and are receiving on-going medication and close monitoring, but happily their prognosis is more positive.”

The quartet are at Redwings' Hapton site, home to our headquarters, where they’re living in their own small herd.

“We have become skilled in dealing with feral ponies like this group in the 20-plus years we’ve been working at the common.

“Our role is usually in providing our welfare vets and experienced handling team and veterinary resources and pen sections to safely contain, handle and load any ponies who are removed, as well as provide a sanctuary home in cases where they may need more intensive veterinary care or specialist behavioural rehabilitation.

“This is something we can only do because of you, our amazing supporters, whose donations are vital in us being able to offer a forever home to ponies like these.

“We’ve seen big improvements in how Bonnie, Tyler, Tom and Jones respond to us, but no matter how much or little progress they make in this respect, their future is secure. Thank you.”

Photo of three well looking ponies in a grass paddock

Bonnie, Tyler and Jones at Redwings headquarters.

We launched our Ready to Rescue campaign earlier this year, focussing on just some of the horses, ponies, donkeys and mules we've rescued, with the aim of raising funds and awareness of our work. To ensure we are always Ready to Rescue, and can help ponies like Bonnie, Tyler, Tom and Jones, please donate what you can here.

*Redwings works with the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, The Donkey Sanctuary, The British Horse Society, Blue Cross, Horse World and Bransby Horses at Gelligaer and Merthyr Common.