08 April 2025

Redwings gives forever home to horse who needed extra support in old age

Redwings has offered a home for life to a 22-year-old horse, whose owner realised they couldn’t provide the care he needed to keep him happy and healthy in his twilight years.

Smokey came to live at the sanctuary in November after concerns were raised for his body condition.

He was underweight, his teeth were very worn, and he had a chronic eye condition that needed ongoing veterinary care, not easily managed in a private home. The visor he is wearing in his picture above offers his eyes vital protection, whilst he can still see perfectly through it!

Smokey when he arrived

TLC he needs for later years

Jo Franklin, Senior Field Officer and Ada Cole Centre Manager, said: “I’m glad Smokey’s owner was able to work with us to ensure that he got everything he needed going forwards.

“He did the right thing for Smokey in the circumstances, and thanks to our generous supporters, we were able to help.

“Now on a special diet, with his eyes being closely monitored by our vets, Smokey has gained weight and will get all the TLC he needs through the later years of his life here at Redwings.”

Smokey is on a woodchip paddock adjacent to Elsa (pictured below) an emaciated and suffering pony who was found dumped in Norfolk, whose story was the focus of the launch of our Ready to Rescue campaign last month.

A very skinny grey mare looking at the camera

Help us be Ready to Rescue horses like Smokey and Elsa (pictured)

Help us be Ready to Rescue

Ready to Rescue aims to raise funds and awareness of Redwings’ work with horses like Smokey and Elsa. Find out more and donate, if you can, here.

It’s thanks to supporters like you that we were able to rescue Smokey, and it is your generosity that enables us to be there for the next Smokey, and the next.

One of the biggest horse welfare charities in the UK, Redwings offered a home to 104 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules who needed them last year.

To help ensure we are always Ready to Rescue, please donate whatever you can here. 