A second chance to thrive
If you’re thinking about welcoming a new four-legged friend into your family, why not consider rehoming a rescued horse from Redwings
FOR OVER 10 YEARS, Redwings Horse Sanctuary has been helping rescued horses find loving homes through its Guardianship Scheme. In 2019, Redwings opened a new rehoming centre at its Caldecott Visitor Centre in Norfolk, and the finishing touches are being put in place for new rehoming facilities at its Oxhill Visitor Centre in Warwickshire. This will significantly increase the number of horses from the charity ready to find Guardian homes, either to be ridden or to live as companions for other horses. Redwings has also begun rehoming unbacked project horses — rescued horses and ponies who’ve had their basic training at Redwings and are happy to be caught and led and seen by the vet and farrier. These horses are now looking for experienced Guardians to continue their education in their new homes and take on their training to become ridden horses and ponies.
Basic training
The charity’s horses and ponies are all trained to be handled and ridden using the principles of equitation science, which is the science behind how horses learn. Redwings uses the most ethical and humane training methods possible to ensure the horses have a really positive experience of people during their training, and it also means that Redwings horses learn good manners for all the right reasons. Each horse has to work through an extensive list of areas of training before they can be rehomed, so they experience lots of different scenarios, from rug fitting and veterinary interventions, to seeing large vehicles around the farm and encountering pushchairs, bicycles and even multicoloured umbrellas! This prepares them for all the things they may come across outside Redwings and sets them up for success in their new home.
The process of rehoming
Rehoming a horse from a rescue charity like Redwings is incredibly rewarding. You’re not only giving a horse a second chance in life and building a special bond with a companion who’ll provide years of friendship, but you’re also making room for another horse to thrive at the Sanctuary. You’ll get an honest assessment of the horse’s abilities and any foibles, plus you’ll get the support of the Redwings rehoming team should you encounter any issues. To apply to become a Redwings Guardian, visit redwings.org.uk/rehoming, or keep an eye on the charity’s social media channels to see which horses are looking for homes in your area. Redwings currently rehomes in East Anglia, across Central England and in Central and South Wales. Rehoming a Redwings horse is free, but the charity requests a £50 deposit for the horse’s passport and welcomes donations to help fund the future training of others in its care. Following your application, the rehoming team will be in touch to chat through your application and arrange a home visit from a Redwings field officer to make sure you have the appropriate facilities for your new friend. You’ll also be invited to meet (and enjoy plenty of cuddles!) with your chosen horse at the Sanctuary, where you’ll have
the chance to meet their trainer and find out more about their health and background. As a Guardian, you will be responsible for the day-to-day care of your Redwings horse, but the rehoming team is always on hand if you need advice. Guardians take on horses on a permanent loan basis to safeguard their welfare and ensure they have a home should the Guardian’s circumstances change, but Redwings’ aim is always to find permanent homes where horses will be loved and cherished for the rest of their lives.