NEWS NEWS
BRIGHT FUTURES FOR ONCE FEARFUL HORSES F
rombeing terrified of human touch to potentials forfuturerehoming, over30 unhandled rescued horseshavehad their lives
turned around thanks to the painstaking effortsof behaviour specialists at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Redwings has offered ahome to 32 horses
from agroup of morethan130,who were removedinamulti-agencyoperation over severalweeks from asitenearthe M25. In all, the charityhas takeninalmost180
horsesand donkeysin2020- one of itshighest totals in recent years-despitechallenges and additional pressures on resourcesas aresult of the Covid-19 pandemic. The group’sownerswerenolonger able to cope
with their care and signed overthe horsesinto the ownership of anumber of welfarecharities and organisations who stepped forwardtomake sureevery animal wasgiven asafe, newhome. Manyofthe horsestaken intoRedwings’ care
were underweight and required veterinary help forworms and
lameness.However,the biggest challenge wastheir behaviour –manyhad seemingly neverbeen handled by humans before. Afterastay at Redwings’ specialistquarantine
facilityinNorfolk wheretheyreceived immediate veterinary attention, theyweretransported to the charity’snearbyBehaviour centre. SarahHallsworth, Redwings’ Equine Behaviour Manager,said: “All of them were very fearful when theyfirstarrived and wouldn’ttolerate human touch. However,toprovide even just basic care involves anumber of interactions
4 WINTERSPECIAL2020
with ahorse throughout ayear, so it wasreally important that we worked on building their trustsotheycould feel comfortable in their new surroundings and we could care forthem safely.” The horsesarrived at the centre in twogroups
and, in true Redwings style,werenamed after distinctivethemes–famous artists (Picasso, Raphael and Banksy) and moneyorforeign currency(Florin, Stirling and Dime). Naming them in such away makes it simple forRedwings’ vets and equine carers to followthe groups’ progress at the Sanctuary in the coming months and years. Through clicker training, positivereinforcement
and alot of patience, manyofthe horses arenow happytobeapproached in their fields, wear headcollarsand be led, and are about to embark on leg handling training – essential forveterinary interventions, such as routine vaccinations, and farrier visits. It is hoped that some mayend up becoming
suitable candidates forRedwings’ rehoming programme in the future. Even those with existing health issues, who will likely spend the rest of their lives at the Sanctuary, have come on in leaps and bounds. Sarahsaid: “Thereare some,likeSilver,
who were quiteterrified to begin with but have transformed
immeasurably.Sincestarting her training, Silver nowreally enjoys human attention, which is exactly what we want for all of them. While she will remain apermanent resident at the Sanctuary,it’svery rewarding to knowthat she will spend the rest of her life
free of fear and enjoyall the fussand love we desperately want to giveher and her friends.” However,their progresshas not been
without complication! Manyofthe rescued mares were in foal when theyentered the Sanctuary and overthe course of this year sevenfoals have been born, providing an extrachallenge forthe Behaviour team. Sarahadded: “While our training schedule suddenly got that much busier,foals present areally lovely
challenge.Because theyhave not experienced what their mothershavegone through, theydonot have the same fearsand we have an opportunitytostart their handling at avery young age so we cangivethemthe best chancepossible of findingloving newGuardian homesoutside the Sanctuary in the future. “Many, likeLira, arereally enjoying their
training sessions and arealready wearinglittle headcollarsbut, justliketheir mothers, some aremorewary than othersand areonlyatthe stage of wanting to eatfromour hands, like Rupee.Wetreat everyhorse at Redwings as an individual and will only progresstheir training at their ownpace. Whether theygoontofind newhomesorend up better suiting alifehere at the Sanctuary,we’ll makesuretheyremain safeand happyfor the rest of their days.” The work of Redwings and itsBehaviour team
is 100% funded by donations from the public. To support the ongoing care of
unhandledhorsesatthe Sanctuary, please visit
www.redwings.org.uk/donate.
Forthe
latestnewsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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