On the Sunday of our holiday, which happened to be my birthday, we decided to visit Redwings. They now have five centres situated around the UK with two of them in their home county of Norfolk. The Aylsham centre was the closest to where we were staying so that's the one we decided to visit.
The first thing that struck me was how big the sanctuary is. The lucky horses which are rescued and come to live at Redwings must live out their days very happy. They've got a great amount of space, company from other horses and are most obviously well looked after. What more could a horse want.
Apples were being thrown into this paddock and it didn't take long for the horses to notice, they all came running hoping to grab a tasty snack.
This is Ronnie, a miniature Shetland. He shares his paddock with Reggie and Baby Face Nelson, and they're known affectionately as The Gangsters. They came to Redwings after their owner died.
I'm not sure why Taz was in his stable rather than out in the fields. He's such a beautiful boy, happy to come to the front of the stable for a cuddle. I'm going to whisper this so that the other horses don't get jealous but he was my favourite if I'm being honest.
The horse on the left is Maya, a black Friesian mare who came to Redwings with six other horses after being found at a site in Essex in a terrible state of neglect. Their owner was found guilty of causing suffering.
Cookie reminds me of a spotty Dalmation dog. She must have a problem with her eyes as she's wearing a hood to keep the flies out of her way.
There's donkeys at Redwings too. These gorgeous animals need company and both Wiggins and Wacko had suffered from loneliness before arriving at the sanctuary. They're now the best of friends.
These Horse Facts, and lots more like them, are fastened to the fences around the paddocks.
You didn't think I'd been to Redwings and not adopted a horse did you? This gorgeous boy is Gulliver. He was rescued by the RSPCA at just a few days old, along with his mother, Cinders. They'd both been abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Cinders became severely malnourished as she was using the little food that she could find to provide milk for Gulliver. They were both given a home at Redwings and as Gulliver is such a friendly chap, he was an ideal candidate for the Adoption Club.
Adopt an animal for charity is number 43 on my 50 before 50 list so that one can now be crossed off.
All in all, Redwings cares for over 1500 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules every single day at one of their sanctuary sites around the UK, with the Aylsham site having 50 residents.
Do take a look at the Redwings website, it's very interesting and informative and if you feel inclined, you're able to adopt a horse online there too.
It was a lovely day out and I was really pleased that I'd chosen to spend my birthday with these beautiful horses.
I bet you were thrilled to visit at last and see all the gorgeous horses. As soon as you said your other horse had died, I thought you'd be bound to adopt another and this time you've actually met him which is even better.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a lovely place to visit. I've never forgotten Redwings since the time I adopted Polly, so it was wonderful to be able to visit at last and be able to see the horse that I've adopted this time.
DeleteHow wonderful, your chosen horse looked lovely. My daughter has adopted one at the heavy horse sanctuary near our old house. Glad you are able to cross something else of your bucket list.
ReplyDeleteGulliver is such a lovely horse, he saw us stood at the fence and came from further up the field to see us. Most of the horses do seem to enjoy lots of attention.
DeleteLovely post and pictures. Well done on having adopted another horse. It saddens me that so many horses, ponies donkeys and mules are ill-treated as shown by the number this wonderful charity has in its care. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's heartbreaking to hear what these animals have been through before arriving at Redwings. Sadly, knowing how many animal sanctuaries there are out there, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
DeleteWhat a wonderful place! How people can be so cruel to animals, I'll never know - thankfully, I think those types are in the minority. I, of course, knew that you would adopt a horse and, even better, you had the opportunity to meet him this time.
ReplyDeleteIt beggars belief that anyone can treat an animal so cruely, doesn't it? I couldn't visit without adopting one of these lovely horses and it was really lovely that I got to meet him.
DeleteHow wonderful, I must go looking for a similar American charity.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sad fact that these animal sanctuaries are needed worldwide so I'm sure you'll manage to track one down near to where you are.
DeleteHow lovely, Jo, that you adopted one. As you know, I have a miniature horse so particularly enjoyed this posting. I have a friend in England (near Birmingham) who works in a donkey sanctuary -- such a satisfying job. P. x
ReplyDeleteThere's some really wonderful people out there who take care of these poor animals and give them the life they deserve. It's amazing when you look at the photos of what they were like when they were first taken in and see them now living happy, healthy lives. As you say, it's such a satisfying job and makes it all worthwhile.
DeleteSome horses have to be kept in stables if the grass is too rich, as it can cause them health problems ....... I know random facts about horses having lived in the Borders, which has the highest proportion of horses to people in the UK! The other important thing to know is that they bite at the front and kick at the back!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Anne xx
I didn't know that about grass. I did know to keep away from their back end though, I wouldn't like to be on the end of one of those hooves.
DeleteA lovely place but how did you choose which one to adopt?
ReplyDeleteOnly certain horses or donkeys are available for adoption but I adopted Gulliver as I'd like to think that he chose me rather than the other way round as he came straight to us at the fence when he saw us.
DeleteWhat a special place. So glad you found Gulliver, he looks lovely (like they all do!)
ReplyDeleteThey were all beautiful horses. It's a shame I don't live closer so that we could visit more often.
DeleteIt is so sad these beauties were neglected but how wonderful they are living happy lives now. Thank you for taking us along to this wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteIt is, I can't begin to imagine how some people could be so cruel. It's heartening to see them so happy in their lives now.
DeleteLovely horses and donkeys. Glad he chose you, what a great memory to take away with you. Did you ever read Black Beauty? I can't remember all the story now but the suffering and the good are at least close together. Hope that makes sense, it's just good to think that someone cared enough to 'do something' in desperate situations.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the weekend. Cx
I never read Black Beauty. I remember watching it on TV as a child but don't remember much of the story now. There are some very special people in the world who care enough, as you say, to help animals in distress, it's terrible to think of their suffering.
DeleteHorses eat for 14 to 18 hours a day? Sounds idyllic, doesn't it? :oD
ReplyDeleteHa ha, it does. I've read before that it's better to eat small and often rather than three large meals each day, it seems horses realise this for themselves.
DeleteThank goodness for the wonderful people who run places like this and people like yourself who help support them. Beautiful animals, a lovely way to spend your birthday xx
ReplyDeleteThere really are some wonderful people who set up and work in these places, supporting them with donations is the easy bit which most of us can do. I really enjoyed spending my birthday in this way.
DeleteWhat a lovely post! Thanks for informing us in such a nice way. Gulliver looks so handsome!
ReplyDeleteGulliver is a beautiful horse, he's a thoroughbred cross and so friendly. It will be lovely, now I've adopted him, to keep up to date with how he's doing.
DeleteThanks for sharing a lovely day out. I got my Donkey Sanctuary newlsetter in the mail last week & some of the stories of neglect & cruelty are horrific, so glad to hear you adopting once again. Must make another donation too, though I might see if I can adopt fom here anyway. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I can't always read fully the stories of cruelty and neglect, they upset me too much and I find they stay on my mind and I end up unable to sleep because of what I've read. I think it's important that we're all aware of what goes on in the world though and do what we can to prevent it.
Deletewhat a great place, great pics too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful place, it has a lovely feeling of calm and serenity which I'm sure the horses appreciate after their traumatic start in life.
DeleteWe took Su to see pepper when she adopted him, it was the original site, glad you had a good visit.
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember Pepper from the time I adopted Polly. It's great that you're able to visit and see the horse you've adopted.
DeleteI love horses. I can't bear to think of the suffering some have endured before being rescued by such a wonderful charity. I'm off to have a look at the website now. X
ReplyDeleteIt's terrible thinking of what those horses have had to endure before being rescued, but they're the lucky ones, others aren't so fortunate, sadly.
DeleteI consider myself fortunate to have been slave to two equinoxes. The smaller (Trusty Button - the least trustworthy pony on the planet) had to have a restricted diet which meant less grass than he thought ideal. I was a willing slave and miss both of my boys enormously. They lived with donkeys who were equally adorable and very individual.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being willing to ease the suffering of some of those less fortunate beasts 😃.
How lovely to have first hand experience. Trusty Button sounds quite a character, it's funny how they all have their own personalities, just like humans.
DeleteA lovely chap you chose to adopt this time round on your birthday visit.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely day out and I couldn't resist Gulliver.
DeleteWhat a lovely way to spend your birthday Jo.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing all of your photographs, especially the one of Gulliver.
These charities do so well don't they ... perhaps a shame they are needed but they are and hats off to all those who work with animals and help them to a better life.
All the best Jan
I really enjoyed my birthday day out. It's such a good job that these sanctuaries do, I dread to think what would become of all these animals without them.
DeleteLucky you getting to visit and crossing another item off your bucket list. Don't Redwings do an amazing job? Horses are horribly abused and neglected these days, I'm so thankful for rescues like this. I just love Gulliver and the fact he chose you, congratulations on adopting him.xxx
ReplyDeleteI hate to think of any animal having to suffer but to see the horses living out their lives in such wonderful surroundings makes everything Redwings does so worthwhile.
DeleteIt's heartbreaking to read how badly treated these intelligent animals were.
ReplyDeleteI think Gulliver is a very handsome fellow ad can see why you picked him out to be your special adopted horse.
Lisa x
It's terribly sad thinking how some animals suffer but heartening to see them living out their lives with love and attention. They look so happy at Redwings. Gulliver is a beautiful horse, hard to imagine that anyone could be so cruel.
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