Rehomed Redwings rescue horse, who now helps teach student vets, celebrated on World Veterinary Day
The theme of World Veterinary Day 2025, marked on April 26th, is ‘Animal health takes a team’ and Redwings’ Zeus is making his own valuable contribution as part of the University of Cambridge’s Department of Veterinary Medicine.
Zeus, a Welsh Section A pony, was rehomed to the Department in January last year, after they approached Redwings looking for a friendly and safe-to-handle horse with a heart murmur to join their teaching herd. Zeus helps students learn to detect the condition, as well as provide general equine behaviour and handling experience.
The 14-year-old gelding, who has a Grade 5 (out of 6) systolic heart murmur, was rescued by Redwings in 2014 from a site in Norwich, with a donkey named Rio. He had a large untreated sarcoid on his chest, and Rio the donkey had such overgrown hooves he could barely walk.
The pair were seized on welfare grounds and their owner was prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act, receiving a ban from keeping animals for five years, and a suspended prison sentence.
The pair lived at the charity’s Redwings Caldecott Visitor Centre in Norfolk, until the charity got a call from the University of Cambridge.
Rachel Angell, Redwings’ Norfolk Operations Manager, who heads up the charity’s rehoming scheme said: “When we heard what sort of pony the team at Cambridge were looking for, we thought Zeus was just the chap for the job!
“Whilst a pony with his health issue would have a home for life in the sanctuary, we knew the Department of Veterinary Medicine would be perfectly placed to manage his condition.
“We are super proud of Zeus for his unique contribution to their team, and the role he is playing to help educate vets of the future.”
Zeus has proven to be a hit in his new home, with staff and students alike. Samantha Stevens, Large Animal Clinical Skills Co-ordinator from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, said: “We’re delighted to celebrate Zeus, and what he brings to our team this World Veterinary Day. He settled into life here well and won us over quickly with his cheeky and kind personality.
“As well as helping to teach the diagnosis of heart murmurs, he helps students learn how to perform clinical examinations, as well as trot-ups, which are used to assess any possible lameness.
“When he’s not working in his teaching role, he is a much-loved member of our herd and enjoys spending time in the paddocks alongside his new friends.”
Redwings has over 700 horses and ponies in Guardian homes across the UK. By rehoming residents who are able to live happy lives outside the sanctuary, the charity can continue their frontline welfare work helping horses and donkeys in need. To find out more about Redwings’ Guardianship rehoming scheme, please visit redwings.org.uk/rehoming.