Redwings Horse Sanctuary has announced that it is considering the closure of two of its centres as it faces mounting financial pressures.

The charity confirmed today (Monday 16 February) that it has entered into consultation over the potential closure of Redwings Oxhill in Warwickshire and Redwings Mountains in Angus, Scotland.

Both sites will remain closed to the public while the consultation process, expected to last at least a month, takes place.

Chief executive Lynn Cutress said rising costs have placed significant strain on the organisation’s finances.

“With rising costs beyond our control, it is essential that we do everything we can to ensure that we are using your donations most effectively and are investing in activities which will have the greatest impact for the horses in our care and the welfare of those beyond our paddock fences,” she said.

In a post on the charity’s social media, it was revealed that the charity is now in its fourth consecutive year of drawing on financial reserves to balance its budget and the current situation was described as unsustainable.

“We need to immediately reduce our operating costs, and these centres have been selected as they are unfortunately the most expensive for us to run,” Lynn explained.

More than 100 equines affected

Redwings is one of the UK’s largest equine welfare charities, caring for more than 1,000 rescued horses, ponies and donkeys in sanctuary, alongside a further 700 living in Guardian homes.

The charity was founded in Norfolk, where its head office is based, and operates several large sanctuary sites and two visitor centres in the county, in addition to a visitor centre near Harlow in Essex.

Redwings Oxhill has been operating as a visitor site for nearly 20 years, while Redwings Mountains joined the charity in 2015.

Although the Oxhill and Mountains centres will remain temporarily closed to visitors out of respect for the staff involved, the charity’s remaining visitor centres in Norfolk and Essex will continue to operate as normal.

If the proposals proceed, more than 100 rescued horses and donkeys — including each centre’s resident Adoption Stars — could be relocated to the charity’s Norfolk sites.

Supporters who sponsor a horse or donkey at the affected centres will receive further information in due course.

Considering every option

Lynn emphasised the charity’s long-standing mission. She said:

“At Redwings we have been rescuing horses for 40 years, and thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the hard work of our team of staff and volunteers, we have been able to give our rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across the UK a safe place to live, providing essential veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and lifelong care.

“We want to be able to continue our vital mission well into the future; being there for the horses currently in our care and for neglected horses when they need us most.” 

A total of 39 staff members could be affected by the outcome of the consultation.

The charity said it is considering “every option” and thanked supporters for their continued encouragement, stressing that the welfare of its staff and animals remains its priority.

Redwings has also been active in national equine welfare campaigning, including leading petitions calling for tighter regulation of fireworks, which were debated in Parliament, reflecting the charity’s wider role in shaping equine welfare policy beyond its sanctuary operations.

Main image of Will, a pony living at Redwings’ Norfolk base, courtesy of Redwings

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