{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}

Orphaned foal blossoms into ‘adorable young chap’ after traumatic rescue


  • An orphaned foal whose mother was found trapped in barbed wire has grown into a happy, healthy yearling.

    The Welsh pony arrived at Redwings’ Ada Cole Centre, near Harlow in Essex, as a frightened four-month-old last August.

    Charlie, as he’s been named, has now blossomed into a friendly 10hh handsome youngster.

    His mother was not so lucky.

    She was discovered on 2 August 2017 by Redwings, working with the RSPCA, stuck in a barbed wire fence at a site near Basildon in Essex.

    The mare was severely underweight and after being cut out was rushed to the nearby House and Jackson equine hospital for emergency treatment.

    Vets tried to save her but she had to be put down.

    Article continues below…


    You might also be interested in:

    Foal has surgery to remove fifth leg

    A filly foal born with an extra limb is making an excellent recovery after the extra ‘digit’ was surgically removed


    Charlie was treated at the equine hospital for a large worm burden and a week later taken to Redwings Ada Cole centre.

    Charlie when rescued as a four-month-old foal

    “We’re really proud of how far Charlie has come since his rescue,” said Redwings’ senior field officer Jo Franklin.

    “To have lost his mum at such a young age must have been traumatic for him, but he is growing up to be a loving and adorable young chap who everyone – two and four-legged – can’t help but fall in love with.

    “Charlie now has a forever home at Redwings, safe from ever having to face the kind of terrifying ordeal his poor mum went through.”

    Redwings is the largest horse sanctuary in the UK with 1,500 horses across its 10 sanctuary farms.

    For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

    In the current edition (2 August), you can find full coverage of the BHS Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead, including all the showing and showjumping results. We report back from the first Osborne Horse Trials on the Isle of Wight, as part of extensive eventing coverage, plus find out about stunning places to ride off road, and much, much more.

    You may like...