Anyone rehomed from Redwings?

A friend has just sent one back sadly

Took them a long time to sift applications which was annoying for her because she'd had a sudden PTS and really needed a third.

The mare was a "ridden project" but when she did some googling a few things came up which Redwings hadn't disclosed. Unfortunately she was probably more of a project than my friend was expecting - historic trauma - & didn't really settle with her horses. Redwings were OK when she discussed the issues with them though.
 
SEL said:
A friend has just sent one back sadly

Took them a long time to sift applications which was annoying for her because she'd had a sudden PTS and really needed a third.

The mare was a "ridden project" but when she did some googling a few things came up which Redwings hadn't disclosed. Unfortunately she was probably more of a project than my friend was expecting - historic trauma - & didn't really settle with her horses. Redwings were OK when she discussed the issues with them though.
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Golly I really want to avoid this scenario. We rehomed before. Won’t say the name . A small local rescue. Came to us as a ridden project . Was dangerous and undisclosed health issues which were known , and I had to find out from old loaner. Broke my heart. So hard to know what’s best
 
Not from redwings but 2 friends rehomed from another well known charity. Neither suitable and one initially on the dangerous side, although he has calmed down now. No excuse for that one really as his mother was rescued and he was born there so not a rescue case himself.
 
I’ve fostered young ponies twice before from the RSPCA equine centre in Shropshire.

Went very smoothly both times. Was offered first dibs on both fillies for full adoption before they went on to their forever homes elsewhere. One was adopted from me here under RSPCA supervision, the other went back to the equine centre and was adopted after going to Your Horse Live.

All very professional and supportive. I’d do it again if circumstances permit.

I prefer the timid ones who need their confidence building up rather than a bolshy one, and that’s what I got. They flourished here.
 
Again not Redwings, but I helped someone with a horse from another of the big charities. They'd gone looking for an older one but were persuaded to a just backed 4 year old, and an even younger companion. It wasn't a suitable choice. I encouraged them to return, and they bought what they'd originally wanted, and aged pony, on the open market. Both older horse and young rider flourished and the older one has lived in luxury ever since! The charity did take them back with no fuss.

I had a Shetland myself from a small charity. I called, they turned up next day with a pony as a companion. He was 18 months old and feral! Straight from the sales. By the time we'd had him a few years, he could lunge, long rein, had been backed, ridden by a few riders and gone to a show. When I no longer needed him as a companion, he went to a lovely family straight from here and did their school fete annually.

Whenever I look at the charity websites, they seem to be inundated with black and white lame ponies.
 
Tiddlypom said:
I’ve fostered young ponies twice before from the RSPCA equine centre in Shropshire.

Went very smoothly both times. Was offered first dibs on both fillies for full adoption before they went on to their forever homes elsewhere. One was adopted from me here under RSPCA supervision, the other went back to the equine centre and was adopted after going to Your Horse Live.

All very professional and supportive. I’d do it again if circumstances permit.

I prefer the timid ones who need their confidence building up rather than a bolshy one, and that’s what I got. They flourished here.
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Thanks so much Tiddly Pom, but I’m after older. Glad to hear experience was positive!
 
Surely people go see the ponies a few times before they are allowed to rehome them. And a charity home checks first, and visits within the first month of the rehome and regularly there after?
 
Be careful as 'older' doesn't necessarily mean saner!

I got my companion rescue at 14 and it was more like having a foal. She knew how to lead and be brushed (a bit) and the charity knew I was going to keep her stabled part-livery so had taught her to have a rug on (and told me her size so that I could buy one before she arrived with me). They also knew she'd be travelling to me on a 3.5 ton lorry so they practised her in that before she came.

They were honest that she was 'nervous in strange places' and having met her and been assessed by the charity as being a suitable person I found she was a welshie (which I love and have a lot of experience with - and also with foals!).

5 years on and she's still a typical sharp welshie but with a lot of patience and consistent handling she now allows her nearside ear to be handled normally (couldn't get near it when she arrived) and is completely fine with sprays and scissors clicking and happy in a fly mask. She is also fine with the farrier for a trim so long as it's the same farrier. With anything strange her default is a very quick and sharp jump sideways with a very loud snort! She is tolerant but VERY suspicious of both vets and dentist and needs sedation for dentist and clipping. She is also better and obviously more comfortable with lady vets than with men.

Overall she is definitely not suitable for an inexperienced person (as with a lot of welshies), but is loving and kind and would never dream of biting or kicking.

The charity comes every 6 months for a checkup - like clockwork. You have to be a member of the charity as part of the loan. They also offer a cheap, external injuries only, insurance policy for vets fees underwritten by SEIB which gives a total annual cost of £130 if you have the optional insurance as well as the compulsory membership.

Many of you know, and I've said before on here, that my pony came from WHW (the Somerset branch). I live over 3 hours away from them so not close but they were still happy for me to have a loan. Can't fault them.
 
reynold said:
Be careful as 'older' doesn't necessarily mean saner!

I got my companion rescue at 14 and it was more like having a foal. She knew how to lead and be brushed (a bit) and the charity knew I was going to keep her stabled part-livery so had taught her to have a rug on (and told me her size so that I could buy one before she arrived with me). They also knew she'd be travelling to me on a 3.5 ton lorry so they practised her in that before she came.

They were honest that she was 'nervous in strange places' and having met her and been assessed by the charity as being a suitable person I found she was a welshie (which I love and have a lot of experience with - and also with foals!).

5 years on and she's still a typical sharp welshie but with a lot of patience and consistent handling she now allows her nearside ear to be handled normally (couldn't get near it when she arrived) and is completely fine with sprays and scissors clicking and happy in a fly mask. She is also fine with the farrier for a trim so long as it's the same farrier. With anything strange her default is a very quick and sharp jump sideways with a very loud snort! She is tolerant but VERY suspicious of both vets and dentist and needs sedation for dentist and clipping. She is also better and obviously more comfortable with lady vets than with men.

Overall she is definitely not suitable for an inexperienced person (as with a lot of welshies), but is loving and kind and would never dream of biting or kicking.

The charity comes every 6 months for a checkup - like clockwork. You have to be a member of the charity as part of the loan. They also offer a cheap, external injuries only, insurance policy for vets fees underwritten by SEIB which gives a total annual cost of £130 if you have the optional insurance as well as the compulsory membership.

Many of you know, and I've said before on here, that my pony came from WHW (the Somerset branch). I live over 3 hours away from them so not close but they were still happy for me to have a loan. Can't fault them.
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Thanks Reynold. Sounds like you have done amazingly well with her. I don't think I have your experience in all honesty to deal with that. But I think a few meets is a good idea. If I can lead it, groom and at least pick feet I'll be happy , and hopefully so will my veteran mare
 
Kaylum said:
Surely people go see the ponies a few times before they are allowed to rehome them. And a charity home checks first, and visits within the first month of the rehome and regularly there after?
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My friends did. One pony was deemed suitable for a child. It was backed and ridden away by a friend of a friend but once child on board was found to have a nasty bolt in him. Second one was as a non ridden companion but is horrible to work with on the ground. It's only like buying in the fact that you never know how a new pony will react in a new home. The saving grace being that they can be returned to a charity.
 
Flowerofthefen said:
My friends did. One pony was deemed suitable for a child. It was backed and ridden away by a friend of a friend but once child on board was found to have a nasty bolt in him. Second one was as a non ridden companion but is horrible to work with on the ground. It's only like buying in the fact that you never know how a new pony will react in a new home. The saving grace being that they can be returned to a charity.
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spot on I think. I hate the idea of returning. It does'nt sit well with me. I find it upsetting
 
Yes, my companion came from Redwings. He's an absolute superstar and I've had him nearly 4 years now. Rehoming process was all done virtually as we were mid lockdown when I got him, but couldn't fault them. They have a field officer come to visit now and again to check in (maybe once or twice a year) and see how we're getting on but other than that they have more of a 'we're here if you need us' approach which I like.

Can't say enough how fabulous my little guy is - we were (and are!) so lucky ❤️
 
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