08 July 2024

Ruby's Recovery - Part Two

Sarah's first handling session with Ruby

Fearful beginnings

When Ruby was rescued, she was understandably very frightened of humans. She had lost her mum, and then strangers arrived to catch her and transport her to safety. If only we could have told her that’s what we were doing.

In the first few days of her time here, our nurses would gently approach her with her milk – holding her bowl as she slurped it up (and slurp she can - I was amazed how quickly she can finish a feed!). This was the first step in building an association with humans that wasn’t one of fear.

If you haven't read Part One of Ruby's recovery, you can here. My name is Jude, and I am honoured to be documenting the journey of this very special foal, and how your support is enabling Redwings to set her up for the future.

Ruby drinking her milk from a bucket

The next step

However, as an orphan foal who is relying on humans for all her feeds, it is also important we ensure that her associations with people isn’t just ‘humans = food’!

Therefore, Sarah Hallsworth, our Behaviour Manager, spent time with her early last week to come up with a handling programme going forwards.

She explained: “Orphaned foals can grow up with a very different relationship with people than ‘normal’ foals. Too much of the wrong interactions can lead to them experiencing frustration and stress as they get older. The crucial thing we must do is separate food (which they would usually get from their mum) from human interaction, such as scratches and fuss.”

Therefore, a new plan was put in place. When Ruby is fed, the bowl is placed safely in her stable and the person then steps out. They can stand and watch from afar and make sure she’s drinking well and place her hay and fresh grass in the stable too. Likewise, when the Hospital Yard team are mucking her stable out, they must resist the urge to interact with her!

Whilst this might sound harsh, Sarah explained: “When raising such a young foal we must remember she will one day grow into a fully sized horse! Behaviour that might be cute when she’s little might not be when she’s older, and even could be dangerous.

"Whether Ruby’s future might be in the Sanctuary, or being rehomed, it is crucial that people can work around her safely, without her crowding people for attention, or worse.”

Ruby learning that scratches feel good!

Time for scratches

But that doesn’t mean Ruby doesn’t get any human interaction – in fact, we want to continue building on the idea that people are to be trusted! Therefore, Sarah has assembled a team who will come in multiple times a day and deliver scratches!

Sarah explained: “As Ruby is still nervous of people, this will start with the idea of ‘protected contact’. The human stays the other side of the stable wall, which gives Ruby confidence as she has a protective barrier and can walk away at any time. We even have a fake arm to help, and we can use that to rub all along her back and neck without reaching in or towering over Ruby.”

I was there the first time that Sarah tried this technique, and it is safe to say that Ruby lapped it up! She was even nibbling at the handle of the fake arm trying to groom it back, which is when Sarah had a brainwave!

Ruby’s teddy

In Ruby’s stable, there was a horse teddy. Sarah suggested that placing it in ‘scratchy corner’ (as I have dubbed it!) would give her something to scratch and groom back. It worked a treat and on the first attempt Ruby got the idea and was soon grooming the mane of her teddy with her teeth.

It was interesting to note though that when Felicity, our Behaviour Coordinator, entered the stable to move the teddy into the corner, Ruby was much more wary of her, even though Felicity made no attempt to touch or move towards her. I could see the idea of ‘protected contact’ at work, and how much more confident she felt with a wall between her and the person.

For now, a team of us who have received Sarah’s expert instruction, will be going to see Ruby several times a day to have this important interaction time. We can use the fake arm, or our real hands, and gradually get her used to people being around her and touching her.

Then, Felicity will work up to being able to scratch her whilst also being in the stable, without the wall in between. We don’t know how long that will take, but she has already come on leaps and bounds since her arrival, and her love of a scratch will hopefully mean that she will only continue to grow in confidence.

In the meantime, we are also preparing to introduce Ruby and foster-mum Cilla in a way that is safe for them both. They are still living in separate stables, with a low partition wall, until we can be sure they will be totally happy and comfortable living together.

Our priority is making sure that Cilla’s role as foster-mum is as successful as possible, and as Ruby starts to trust people more and more, that will help make ‘face-to-face’ introductions much easier.

Ruby says 'peekaboo' to the camera, and Cilla looks on

How you can help

Redwings has years of experience working with unhandled and semi-feral horses, and this week I have had just a snapshot of the huge amount of knowledge Sarah and her team have. Ruby couldn’t be in better hands to make sure she has the correct handling as she grows up.

Every penny you can spare could help fund the ongoing work of our Behaviour Team, and the vital support they offer ponies like Ruby. Donate here.