Two cobs eating hay out of a feeder in the snow

04 November 2026

Season's Eatings - help feed our rescued herds this winter

Because of you, rescued horses like Soda and Bun (pictured above) will never know hunger again. Find out how your donation will be put to work this winter...

Why your support is needed more than ever this winter

Every year, Rachel (pictured), our Head of Equine Operations, spends her summer securing our hay stocks for the winter, but 2026 has been more challenging than ever before. 71% of England was in drought. Hot, dry conditions had a striking impact on our hay supplies.

"I work closely with our hay suppliers to secure the best possible supply and value for the charity. This year has been particularly challenging, with lower yields and increased production costs affecting availability and price. The drought also meant our paddocks produced less grazing, so we needed to use winter hay stocks much earlier than usual."

Rachel

Head of Equine Operations

£15

could help buy hay for a pony recovering in the Horse Hospital for a week

£26

could help provide the special feeds an elderly pony like Onia needs for a week

£52

could help pay for our dedicated carers to deliver hay on the hay-run to 125 horses

Two donkeys are looking over the wall there are haynets hanging on numbered hooks on the wall

Flo and Yogi wait patiently for their haynets to be delivered

Donate to the appeal

Thanks to careful planning, the hay our residents need is secured. But the increased costs have placed significant pressure on the resources that support their daily care. Hay orders we placed this year have cost us over 50% more than usual in some cases.

What's on the menu?

Every resident at Redwings has their own unique needs. Thanks to supporters like you, we can provide tailored diets that help every resident thrive.

Hay - For horses like Rose and Faye, hay is the diet staple throughout winter when the grass stops growing. Portions are carefully calculated to make sure our residents stay healthy. For patients in the Horse Hospital, who are on box rest in a stable, we use hay all year round to keep them happy and fed.

Haylage - Haylage is essential for horses like Holly Blue, who has RAO, a condition similar to asthma that affects her breathing. As it is less dusty it helps keep her airways comfortable.

No Long Fibre - For ponies like Onia who, at aged 37, has worn teeth which can’t grind down long stalks, your support helps provide regular soft, soaked feeds which are delivered by our team through the day and even
overnight too. (Thank you Nights team!)

Onia

“Horses can spend up to 18 hours a day eating – which is why we deliver hay to our herds multiple times a day! Due to the size of our sites, our team carry out a ‘hay-run’, delivering hay to our residents using a tractor and trailer – it’s a frequent sight in winter but this summer we were doing it in July and August too.”

Rachel

Head of Equine Operations

The hay-run in the height of the drought

A graphic which reads 'Across Redwings, we need around 2,000 tonnes of forage (hay and haylage) every winter - that's over 100 lorries worth!

How you can help...

Many of our rescued residents came to us from situations where they faced hunger and hardship daily. Your support saved them, and changed their lives for ever.

This winter they need you again. Your kindness will provide essential hay and nourishing meals every day this winter.

Please call 01508 505246, text HAY 10 to 70085 to donate £10** or visit redwings.org.uk

Thank you.

*Your donation is used wherever it is most needed in the Sanctuary and will help to fund the ongoing care of all our residents, including those you read about here.
**Text HAY followed by your donation amount from £1 - £20 to 70085 to give that amount. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.