Kiwi stands in her paddock at Redwings looking at the camera.

04 March 2024

A lifetime of dedicated care for Kiwi

Tiny Kiwi was rescued from a horse sale in the summer of 2012, very underweight and suffering from the highly infectious disease strangles.

Her symptoms included swollen glands under her jaw, a high temperature and a loss of appetite.

Kiwi was brought to our quarantine centre where she was treated in isolation from the rest of the resident herd, reducing the risk of the infection spreading.

After a few days the abscesses that had formed under Kiwi’s jaw burst. Despite the discomfort this caused, she was brighter and more interested in her surroundings almost immediately.

Kiwi spent several more weeks in quarantine and during that time she made a good recovery.

Once she was given the all-clear, Kiwi moved to a home in the Sanctuary where she made new friends and became accustomed to new routines.

Kiwi when she was rescued standing in a stable, very underweight, weak and suffering from strangles.

Donate to the appeal

£17

could help a Redwings field officer find, assess and give urgent help to a vulnerable pony like Kiwi.

£22

could help provide the medication, care and quarantine conditions to support a pony being treated for strangles.

£28

could help a resident like Kiwi recover from surgery by providing specialist dressings and intensive care facilities.

Rushed to Horse Hospital

One morning in February 2021 Kiwi’s carers saw that she was showing signs of colic (abdominal pain) and contacted the on-call vet who brought Kiwi into the Redwings Horse Hospital for further examination.

Initially Kiwi responded well to treatment but later developed a high temperature and elevated heart rate. Tests indicated that inflammation in her intestine, caused by a build-up of sand, was the likely cause of her pain.

Despite being given fluids and pain relief, Kiwi’s condition deteriorated, and the team took the decision to perform emergency surgery.

During surgery our in-house vet team cleared Kiwi’s system of sand and alleviated the gas build up which were causing her so much pain.

Kiwi remained in intensive care for a week. Her heart rate returned to normal, and her tummy began to heal well from surgery.

After a lot of patient care, Kiwi’s appetite returned, and she was once again the bright, friendly pony who we have all come to know and love.

Kiwi is pictured in the Redwings Horse Hospital wearing a belly band post-colic surgery.

Kiwi recovering at the Redwings Horse Hospital, wearing a belly band to aid her healing post-colic surgery.

Ongoing care

In November last year Kiwi was affected by another occurrence of colic, thankfully this time it was successfully treated with fluids and pain relief.

Today, Kiwi enjoys life at our headquarters in Norfolk. Living full-time at Redwings HQ means our vet team can keep an extra close eye on her!

Kiwi stands in her paddock at Redwings with the wind blowing through her mane.

Our commitment

We can only provide the high level of care and emergency treatment for residents like Kiwi thanks to your generous donations, which keep our Horse Hospital running.

You can donate as above, or text KIWI 10 to 70085 to donate £10*.