Laminitis is a very painful condition that is caused by inflammation in the horse’s foot.

Symptoms

The signs to look for are a bounding digital pulse in the fetlock, growing levels of discomfort shown by painful expression on the face, and reluctance to move or weight shifting.

Even if you only suspect laminitis you should call a vet as it does not get better on its own. The damage is progressive and worsens over time, and does not resolve without veterinary and farriery intervention.

On Thursday 1^st December 2016, a father and son were banned from keeping horses having previously (20^th October 2016) pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to 20 horses at their Norfolk-based sanctuary, Rainbow Meadows.

Since opening Rainbow Meadows (based in Foulsham) in 2013, both men have failed to act on advice offered by our vets and field officers, and by Trading Standards Officers.

Owner banned from keeping horses after neglect of mare.

A British winter can present a wide variety of weather conditions; from gales and driving rain to hard frosts and snow. Many horses are kept outside all year round and need to be able to cope whatever the weather. There are a lot of factors to consider when assessing to what extent a horse can withstand the change in season and how the winter might be made more comfortable. Let's explore this in more detail:

Natural hardiness and weight fluctuations

Hooves may look simple from the outside but the way they work inside is fascinating.

It’s well worth understanding them a little more in order to appreciate how keeping a healthy hoof protects the whole horse from injury and lameness.

Every horse or pony is unique, with different needs and preferences for diet, exercise and lifestyle according to their age, breed, gender, temperament, condition and life experiences.

Understanding these needs is important when caring for any horse, but for those who’ve become sick, injured or out of shape, that knowledge is a valuable tool in choosing the right treatment to support recovery.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary assists multi-agency operation to round up 34 horses from the Moor.

Download our new guidance on healthy weight management.

We’re sending a serious warning to horse owners and firework enthusiasts as we remember losing a much-loved horse after she was spooked by fireworks last year.

Thoroughbred mare Cinders was found unable to walk early one morning in November 2014 at Redwings Ada Cole. A nearby fireworks party the previous evening had panicked many of the horses, as could be seen by the churned up paddocks where they had galloped around in alarm.

Final quarantine zones lifted at our Piggots farm.