05 July 2024

Ruby's Recovery - Part One

A call for help

Last week we received a call for help – could Redwings offer a home to an orphan foal, thought to be around 2 to 4 weeks old. She had been found next to her mum, who had sadly passed away.

The care of an orphan foal is a huge undertaking – they require round-the-clock feeding, specialist behavioural support, a foster-mum for all-important equine companionship, and a suitable safe environment for both her and a potential foster mum to gradually get to know each other before we put them together.

My name is Jude, and I work in the communications team here at Redwings. I have had the honour of meeting Ruby, and spending time with the teams who are caring for her. Since her arrival on Thursday 27th June, I have already learnt so much about the consideration and thought that must go into the care of an orphaned foal.

This level of expertise, and kindness, is only possible thanks to the kind support of you, our #RedwingsAngels, so I look forward to showing you how your donations are transforming a very tiny (and cute!) life.

Ruby’s journey to Redwings

On her journey to Redwings Hapton HQ, the equine transporter took their time, making plenty of stops so Ruby could relax and feel safe, and then feel able to drink her milk.

Meanwhile at Redwings, we collected Cilla, her foster-mum-to-be, and moved her to a big stable in one of our small special care barns at our Horse Hospital, so she was ready for when Ruby arrived. This stable was specifically selected for Ruby, on a quiet turnout yard, and with a lower partition so Cilla and Ruby could get to know each other.

Little Ruby, having already been through so much in her short life, was likely feeling very bewildered at the world, so a calm environment, and a reassuring horse next door was very important as we made every arrangement we could to help her settle, and we’re lucky to have the specialist facilities to do this.

Ruby stands in her stable looking straight at the camera, with Cilla in the background with her head over her adjoining stable wall.

Ruby and Cilla in their special spacious stable set up, photo taken by Dawn - one of our vets.

Our vets were here, ready to check her over when she arrived. She took a big drink when she did, so we knew she was rehydrated. Nic, our Head of Welfare and Behaviour, was then on-hand throughout Ruby’s first night at Redwings, staying with her to feed her at 2:30 and 5am.

Ruby and Cilla say hello over the stable door

Ruby and Cilla say hello, photo taken by Nic

Settling in

Catching up with Nic this week, he said: “Every day Ruby is relaxing more into life at Redwings, showing all our work to settle her in has paid off. She is more curious about her surroundings and has been saying hello to Cilla over the partition and door as they slowly get acquainted with each other.”

Ruby is currently being fed milk nine times a day, at 2–3-hour intervals through the day and night. She is also introduced gradually to handfuls of grass and soft hay for her to pick at and explore, as foals would naturally.

You may have noticed that at Redwings we feed orphan foals from a bowl, as opposed to a bottle, I asked Nic to explain why.

He said: “There’s several reasons we choose to feed from a bowl, as opposed to a bottle. Once she has learnt to drink from a bowl (which she did very quickly) it is more straightforward for her than an artificial teat. Plus, our vet nurses are undertaking her feeds on top of their already busy hospital rounds, so it helps streamline things for them.

"And, when we progress with her behavioural training, and making sure she doesn’t just think humans = food, the bowl will play a crucial part!” (More on this behavioural training to come, stay tuned!)

Ruby drinking her milk in her first few days at Redwings

Thank you #RedwingsAngels

Ruby has been here just a week, and I am bowled over by how the team at Redwings has come together to welcome her and get everything set for her arrival.

But we are only able to spring into action for ponies like Ruby, thanks to you – our kind supporters. Since we introduced her to you on Wednesday, we have received countless messages of support and well-wishes for Ruby across our social media channels.

If you would like to donate towards her ongoing care, you can here. Thank you, and I look forward to bringing you the latest stage of Ruby’s recovery soon.