A pony who was neglected along with hundreds of animals at a farm in Nottinghamshire is settling into his new home at Redwings Horse Sanctuary just in time for Christmas.
Grey gelding Will has an issue with his jaw which means he requires specialist care and veterinary attention. He will now be looked after by the experts at Redwings for the rest of his days.
Staff captured footage of Will settling into his new home and getting to know his fellow equine residents.
The now happy and secure pony was part of a complicated rescue operation in 2023.
Redwings’ Head of Welfare and Behaviour Nic de Brauwere assisted during the RSPCA-led rescue of more than 450 animals, including around 70 other horses and donkeys.
Operation Teal involved over 100 staff from Beauties’ Legacy, Bransby Horses, British Horse Society, Dogs Trust, The Donkey Sanctuary, Redwings and World Horse Welfare who worked alongside the RSPCA, vets and police.
455 animals of 19 different species were removed from “appalling” conditions in two fields, barns, outbuildings, sheds and hutches. Virtually all the animals had not received veterinary care, and several had to be put to sleep to end their suffering.
Donkeys and horses were suffering without attention from a vet or a farrier, with one donkey so lame that she was euthanised. Some were underweight, whilst others had not received any treatment for parasites and proper dental care. Over half the equines seized were in poor body condition.
The floors of barns and enclosures were deep in manure and mouldy forage. Most of the mares had mixed with stallions and were in foal.
In a prosecution case brought by the RSPCA, a 52-year-old man from Nottinghamshire was jailed and banned from keeping animals for life in September after pleading guilty to 25 offences under the Animal Welfare Act. A 33-year-old woman from Nottinghamshire was given a suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping dogs for five years after pleading guilty to two offences.
“This was a very challenging two days working with often nervous and unhandled ponies and donkeys who were trapped in horrible living conditions,” said vet Nic.
“It was heartbreaking to see just how poor their quality of life was but being able to help them by supporting the humane catching, vet assessments and loading onto the many horseboxes, knowing they were heading to a much brighter future, was very rewarding.
“I’m pleased that one of the ponies I got to work with has his forever home with us here at Redwings.
“Will has a problem with his jaw – one part is shorter than the other and so his teeth do not meet as they should. He will therefore need close monitoring, regular dental check-ups and regular dental maintenance to live a happy and healthy life, all things which we are able to provide for him here at Redwings thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
“I’m happy to say that he’s settling in well at Redwings Caldecott where he’s sharing a field with another pony, Tyson, over the Winter. He’ll be introduced to a bigger herd in the spring.”
If you’d like to make a donation to Will’s care, and that of others like him, click here.
