16 December 2025

Neglected pony spends first Christmas at Redwings

Will the cob stood in a field at Redwings Caldecott

A pony who was neglected along with hundreds of animals at a farm in Nottinghamshire is settling into his new home at Redwings just in time for Christmas.

Will, who has a problem with his jaw that means he needed a special home, arrived at our Caldecott Visitor Centre in Norfolk earlier this month.

A photo of horses in awful, muddy conditions at a rescue.
The conditions at the site Will was rescued from.

Redwings’ Head of Welfare and Behaviour Nic de Brauwere assisted during the RSPCA-led rescue of more than 450 animals, including Will and around 70 other horses and donkeys, in November 2023.

Operation Teal involved over 100 staff from Beauties’ Legacy, Bransby Horses, British Horse Society, Dogs Trust, The Donkey Sanctuary, Redwings and World Horse Welfare who worked alongside the RSPCA, vets and police.

455 animals of 19 different species were removed from appalling conditions in two fields, barns, outbuildings, sheds and filthy hutches. Virtually all the animals had not received veterinary care, and several had to be put to sleep to end their suffering.

Donkeys and horses were suffering from rotting feet without attention from a vet or a farrier, with one donkey so lame that she was put to sleep to end her suffering. Some were underweight, whilst others had not received any treatment for parasites and proper dental care. Over half the equines seized were in poor body condition. The floors of barns and enclosures were deep in faeces and stinking, mouldy forage. Most of the mares had mixed with stallions and had fallen pregnant.

In a prosecution case brought by the RSPCA, a 52-year-old man from Nottinghamshire was jailed and banned from keeping animals for life in September after pleading guilty to 25 offences under the Animal Welfare Act. A 33-year-old woman from Nottinghamshire was given a suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping dogs for five years after pleading guilty to two offences.

Will the pony stood on grass
Will at Redwings Caldecott.

Vet Nic said: "This was a very challenging two days working with often nervous and unhandled ponies and donkeys who were trapped in horrible living conditions.

“It was heartbreaking to see just how poor their quality of life was but being able to help them by supporting the humane catching, vet assessments and loading onto the many horseboxes, knowing they were heading to a much brighter future, was very rewarding.

“I'm pleased that one of the ponies I got to work with has his forever home with us here at Redwings.

“Will has a problem with his jaw - one part is shorter than the other and so his teeth do not meet as they should. He will therefore need close monitoring, regular dental check-ups and regular dental maintenance to live a happy and healthy life, all things which we are able to provide for him here at Redwings thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

“I’m happy to say that he’s settling in well at Caldecott where he’s sharing a field with another pony, Tyson, over the Winter. He’ll be introduced to a bigger herd in the Spring."

Photo of Will the pony stood in a field next door to two other horses.
Will meeting his new friends over the fence.

Will is one of almost 100 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules who live at Caldecott. Supporters can visit between 10-4pm Friday – Monday (excluding Boxing Day). Always double check our website to plan your visit.

If you’d like to make a donation to Will’s care, and that of others like him, please go to www.redwings.org.uk/support-us/donate

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Redwings Press Office

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