11 December 2024

Rehomed rescued horses Taylor and Swift begin a new ‘Era’

A pony stands with her foal in a woodchip paddock at Redwings.

As their popstar namesake ends her world-famous Eras Tour, Redwings' own mother and daughter duo, rescued ponies Taylor and Swift, are starting a new ‘Era’ of their own, as they are reunited in a Guardian home.

Earlier this years, we shared a Taylor Swift themed post across our social media platforms calling on ‘Swifties’ to help us find a new loving home for nine-year-old cob mare, Swift. Could anyone offer her a new ‘Love Story’ and ‘Speak Now’ by filling in the ‘Blank Space’ on her rehoming application form?

The post was spotted by Sally, who was already a Guardian to Redwings Taylor, Swift’s mum, and she reached out to reunite mother and daughter.

The image shows a pony looking skinny and dishevelled at the time of their rescue.

Taylor was extremely underweight and in foal at the time of her rescue.

The Story Of Us

Taylor, now 14-years-old, was rescued by Redwings in 2015 with another pony, after being found extremely underweight and in urgent need of treatment. Working with the RSPCA and police, the ponies were transported to the Sanctuary and work began on their rehabilitation.

Welfare Vet Nicola Berryman, who cared for Taylor at the time, remembered: “Taylor was extremely dull and lethargic. She was emaciated and her ribs, spine and hip bones were prominent. Her skin was rubbed raw in places and her coat was falling out due to a severe lice infestation. Tests also revealed that she was pregnant.”

She added: “Taylor Swift had just performed at BBC Radio 1’s One Big Weekend down the road in Norwich, so she was deliberately named after the singer!”

Happily, Taylor recovered well, and four months after her rescue she gave birth to foal Swift. In 2022, both Taylor and Swift (then aged seven) were rehomed separately through our rehoming scheme.

Two ponies in a field lower their heads towards each other in greeting.

Taylor and Swift have been reunited in their new Guardian home.

You Belong With Me

After a change in her Guardian’s circumstances this year, we looked to find Swift another home, and thanks to Sally’s offer, she travelled to her new home in Hertfordshire in late October.

Sally said: “Swift has settled in well at her new home and seems to be loving being back with her mum. After losing my elderly horse, our herd had space for another, and I was delighted to be able to reunite Taylor and Swift. Between them they are both excellent companions for my 30-year-old Harry, and together they make a very happy herd.”

Rachel Angell, Head of Norfolk Operations, who heads up our rehoming scheme said: “It’s a pleasure to see Taylor and Swift happily reunited and being fantastic companion ponies. Whilst not all our ponies share their names with global superstars, we know they are all stars in their own right!”

We rehome rescued horses on a permanent loan basis. Find out more about rehoming a horse from Redwings, and see the ponies currently available, here.