A day in the life of a Redwings rehoming pony!

A lot of effort goes in to getting a rescue pony ready to be rehomed and the team at Redwings pay close attention to combining training time with making sure the ponies live happy, healthy lives. Here’s what a pony at Redwings gets up to each day…

⏰ 7.30 am

As soon as the rehoming team arrive at the yard, it’s time for the ponies to have their breakfasts! 

⏰ 8.15am 

When all the ponies are fed, they’re checked over from nose to tail to make sure they’re happy and healthy before being turned out in the field – if a pony has an injury or any lumps or bumps, he’ll be visited by the vet before going out with his pals.

Once in the field, the team deliver the ponies some hay or haylage, which is especially important for them in winter when there isn’t much grass! 

⏰ 9am 

While the ponies enjoy time in the field, the team get to work – mucking out stables, making haynets and putting in fresh bedding – before sitting down for a well-deserved tea and biscuit break!

Did you know?

The Redwings night team carry out checks on all the residents to make sure they’re safe and well. This special team is super-important at the Redwings Horse Hospital because they’re responsible for giving feed and medication to patients all through the night – there are vets on hand, too, in case of emergencies. 

⏰ 10.30am

It’s training session time! The type of activity depends on how far along the ponies are in their training and whether they’re being rehomed as non-ridden companions or unbacked projects. 

Ponies in early stages of training will come in from the field to be groomed or spend time in the arena working on their basic responses – such as being taught to stop, lead and park. 

Other ponies will be introduced to tack or go for in-hand hacks around the Redwings farm. This is a really valuable part of their training – they might come across tractors, dog walkers using the public footpaths, and lots of other things they could encounter in their new homes one day! 

⏰ 11.30am 

Once training sessions are complete, it’s back to the field for lunchtime! 

Did you know? 

Most of the ponies at Redwings live out 24/7 with access to a field shelter, but any pony in the process of being trained and rehomed stays in a stable at night. This is to make sure he will be happy if stabled at his new home!

⏰ 1.30pm 

During the afternoon, the team carries out lots of different management jobs – including making sure the fields are poo-picked, safe and tidy – as well as hosting trials between ponies and possible future guardians. 

Some ponies will be seen by the farrier and others, who have completed their training, might get checked over by a Redwings vet for their final sign-off before going to new homes. 

⏰ 3.30pm

The team will make sure the ponies’ stables are ready for when they come in by fluffing up the shavings to make everything cosy! Once the ponies have been brought in from the field, they’ll have their feet picked out and receive a haynet each for dinner. 

Before the team leave at the end of the day, they do a final check to make sure the ponies are happy and write down any important notes for the night team.