Three Redwings team members are leading three Shetland ponies onto the ramp of a horsebox

10 March 2025

It’s vital that we’re Ready to Rescue

Our Welfare team will be called on to help desperately vulnerable horses, ponies and donkeys in the months ahead. For a horse that needs to be rescued, it is critical that we can reach, treat and remove them quickly and safely.

From the moment we are alerted to a horse at risk, we know that we will potentially need to co-ordinate a team of handlers, vets and carers.

In the growing number of cases that involve multiple animals, we are often joined by staff from fellow equine welfare charities and local authorities. In those cases, the scale of the problem cannot be managed within the resources of any organisation working alone.

Rescue team with metal pen sections helping to catch a pony on a Welsh common

Donate to the appeal

£17

could help one of our Field Officers find, assess and give urgent help to a vulnerable pony like Elsa.

£23

could provide the tests, treatment and initial care for a new Sanctuary resident.

£29

could help meet the cost of regular dental assessments and treatments throughout the year.

Meet Tom

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.

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.

Tom enjoying his new field at Redwings

Meet Smokey

Redwings has offered a home for life to a 22-year-old horse, whose owner realised they couldn’t provide the care he needed to keep him happy and healthy in his twilight years.

Smokey came to live at the sanctuary in November after concerns were raised for his body condition.

He was underweight, his teeth were very worn, and he had a chronic eye condition that needed ongoing veterinary care, not easily managed in a private home. The visor he is wearing in his picture above offers his eyes vital protection, whilst he can still see perfectly through it!

Jo Franklin, Senior Field Officer and Ada Cole Centre Manager, said: “I’m glad Smokey’s owner was able to work with us to ensure that he got everything he needed going forwards.

“He did the right thing for Smokey in the circumstances, and thanks to our generous supporters, we were able to help.

“Now on a special diet, with his eyes being closely monitored by our vets, Smokey has gained weight and will get all the TLC he needs through the later years of his life here at Redwings.”

Smokey when he arrived at Redwings

Meet Elsa

In late January our team received a report of an underweight mare at a site in Norfolk. Senior Field Officer Julie attended and found an abandoned mare, who was severely emaciated and sick, suffering from life-threatening diarrhoea.

The mare was very fearful of people and could not be caught. Our team assembled straight away and, using pen sections to corral her, brought Elsa to the safety of Redwings.

Within 24 hours she had received emergency care and her condition began to stabilise. After a few days she received thorough dental treatment, which immediately helped her eat hay comfortably.

Unfortunately a few months after her arrival Elsa was taken very ill very suddenly and the symptoms she showed suggested a form of neurological illness. Despite the very best efforts of our vet team they had to make the very difficult decision to put Elsa to sleep to prevent her suffering.

From our years of working with severely neglected rescue horses, we have come to learn that we cannot save them all and that some will sadly not make a full recovery. But we are all shocked and deeply saddened by what has happened.

We continue to care for every horse we possibly can. Thank you so much #RedwingsAngels for helping us to be there for Elsa and for the many horses like her who need our care and dedication ❤️

A very skinny grey mare looking at the camera

Elsa on arrival at Redwings

“Our welfare vets, Nicola, Chloe and Alex (and myself!) are experienced in undoing the damage of neglect. Through all the cases we have seen before, we have learnt so much about how to treat ponies in distress - when to push for intensive treatment, and when to let them have the time to heal without potentially stressful veterinary interventions.”

Nic de Brauwere

Head of Welfare and Behaviour

A skinny cob standing behind a barbed wire fence and mud

Our commitment

During these economically difficult times we remain committed to every horse who needs our help and to spending every donation as effectively as possible.

Your gift could help us reach a vulnerable horse, rescue them and bring them to a home of safety.

You can donate below, or text SAFETY 10 to 70470 to donate £10*