Colt with severe skin condition found abandoned
Redwings Horse Sanctuary is appealing for information after a colt was found dumped with a painful skin condition in Thurrock, Essex last month.
The cob colt has been named Tilbury by Redwings staff after the place where he was found on 27 May.
Vets estimate he is around 18 months old.
Tilbury was found with a severe skin condition, which meant he had lost a lot of hair on his face and body. He was also covered in sores.
Initially, Redwings senior field officer Jo Franklin put notices on his tether and feed bucket in the hope of an owner coming forward.
No one claimed Tilbury, but the following day he was found let off his tether and roaming around the Old Chadwell school site, along with several other ponies. He was then taken in by Redwings.
So far no owner has been traced.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The charity’s vets are still investigating the cause of the colt’s skin irritation and he is currently receiving treatment.
However, the Redwings is still looking for the horse’s owner and is urging anyone with information to come forward.
“We’re very concerned about poor Tilbury and urge anyone with information about his owner or indeed about his condition to contact our welfare team,” said Redwings chief executive Lynn Cutress.
“Despite his skin condition, which must be incredibly uncomfortable and painful, Tilbury is an incredibly friendly and sweet-natured chap, and our team are investing a great deal of care and attention to nurse him back to full health.”
Anyone with any information about Tilbury’s owner should call Redwings’ welfare team on: 01508 481008
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.