NEW RESCUE PONIES MADDISON AND POPPY JOIN REDWINGS AYLSHAM

Two new rescue ponies have joined the herds at Redwings Aylsham, where they’re ready to meet families visiting during the upcoming Easter holidays.

Maddison came into Redwings’ care at the end of last summer after the RSPCA got in touch. The three year-old skewbald cob cross had been at the RSPCA since November 2022 after she was found with a severe wire injury to her hindlimb, along with a number of other horses who needed their help and intervention.

Rachel Angell, Head of Norfolk Equine Operations, said: “It was decided that Sanctuary life would be the best option for Maddison as she may only ever be suitable as a companion pony, as a result of her previous injury, and there were concerns that there could be a temptation to ride her given her age and breed.

“Thanks to our wonderful supporters, here at Redwings we’re able to offer a secure forever home for our horses with access to everything they could possibly need to ensure their welfare.

“Maddison is nicely settled into a small herd of six at Redwings Aylsham, where her favourite new friends are Kirby, Rudolph and Hattie who are all older but don’t mind her young and playful character.”

Tiny Shetland pony Poppy arrived at Redwings in September after another animal welfare organisation approached Redwings for help. Very sadly, they had been forced to move to another site and were struggling to find somewhere suited to 16-year-old Poppy’s needs.

Rachel said: “We set about finding a suitable herd for Poppy to join and based on her small stature, and her care needs, Adoption Stars the Gangsters were the obvious candidates. As well as these cheeky boys she also joins Aleia, Aurora and Mariah – who people may remember was named after the police officer who came to her aid after a road accident in Suffolk.”

Visitors will be able to see the residents, enjoy food and drink at Gulliver’s Café and browse the gift shop at Redwings Aylsham Visitor Centre, Spa Lane, Aylsham, NR11 6UE on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 10-4pm (paddock walks close at 3.30pm). Entry is free but donations are very welcome. All Redwings’ centres are dog friendly.

To find out more about how Redwings helps ponies like Maddison and Poppy, and to support their work, please visit www.redwings.org.uk