The Redwings sanctuary is the largest in the UK, caring for over 1,100 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules every day. Their work is funded solely by donations that allow workers to give the animals the best possible care so they can eventually be re-homed or enjoy a home for life at the Sanctuary.
One of their success stories is about a pony originally rescued by Redwings with a terrible tethering wound.
Pongo was reported to the RSPCA by a member of the public in March 2009. When the RSPCA attended with a Redwings Field Officer, they found a very handsome 13.3hh tri-coloured cob who was tethered at the side of a road. It was immediately clear that he had a very severe injury, as his headcollar had become embedded in his neck.
He had a very nasty wound and it was clear that he had been that way for some time.” The headcollar was carefully removed and Pongo received emergency treatment at the site before being taken to the Redwings Ada Cole Rescue Centre near Harlow where he made an amazing recovery.
Pongo has since been re-homed through the Redwings Guardianship Scheme and, as ‘Redwings Master Blaster’, he is causing quite a stir. In May he even went Reserve in the In-hand Skewbald & Piebald Championship at the Suffolk Show.
The RSPCA brought a prosecution against the owner for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which was resolved earlier this month. He received a deprivation order, a one-year ban from keeping horses and was ordered to pay £200 in costs.