02 July 2025

Redwings takes on teaching pony who needed special home after seizure

Tom the pony trotting towards the camera in his field, with one of his new horse friends in the background.

Redwings has given a home for life to a teaching pony, after he had a seizure and could no longer work.

Eleven-year-old Cob cross Tom arrived at Redwings from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London, in April, where he was helping to educate the next generation of vets and vet nurses.

The RVC got in touch with us and asked if we would consider taking Tom, who now needs special care and management for the safety of himself and those around him.

Tom the horse stood on woodchip when he arrived at Redwings

Tom when he arrived at Redwings.

Operations Manager, said: “Tom’s story shows that sometimes our rescue work is about being a home for a pony who can’t go anywhere else.

“After experiencing a seizure, Tom could no longer work as a teaching pony and had incredibly limited options, given the care and management he now needs, should he have another.

“Thanks to our brilliant supporters, we can give him the special home for life the RVC was keen to secure, safe and cared for by our incredible staff.”

Tom the horse trotting in his new field.

Watch Tom being turned out into his new field here!

Help us be Ready to Rescue

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.

We offered a home to 104 equines who needed us last year, many of whom will need special care and will be with Redwings for the rest of their lives, like Tom.

In addition to his seizure, which requires our staff to closely follow a protocol for handling him and monitor and report any changes to the our vet team, he also has osteoarthritis and is on medication for this.
Bettina Dunkel, Head of RVC Equine and Professor in Equine Medicine and Emergency and Critical care, said:

“Tom is a wonderful pony and so missed by our team and the students here at the RVC, but we know he’s got the perfect new forever home with Redwings. Homes this special are rare and we’re so grateful they were able to take him.”

To help ensure Redwings is always Ready to Rescue, please donate whatever you can here.