Redwings remembers the beloved Spirit

August 2016 marks 10 years since the rescue of 13hh chestnut Welsh pony Spirit. His rescue story was one of the most upsetting witnessed by Redwings Horse Sanctuary during its 30-plus-year history. Very sadly, 22-year-old Spirit passed away this summer and after ten happy years at the Norfolk-based Sanctuary, the charity wanted to pay tribute to this amazing pony.

This is Spirit’s story:

Spirit was originally rescued by a lady in Middlesbrough who found him running loose and suffering from serious injuries having been chased around a housing estate by young boys on motorbikes. He was also attacked with fireworks and set upon by dogs. 

When his injuries were later examined by a local vet, it was clear that while being terrorised Spirit had also been electrocuted with a cable resulting in burns to his side, flank and face and he had been beaten with a chain of some kind. 

Consequently, it was unsurprising that Spirit was terrified of people and could not tolerate any human contact. Indeed, in the five years he was with his new owner, she never managed to touch him and when he needed to be led, she could only do so by gently passing a rope round his neck. 

Spirit’s owner realised this was not sustainable, especially if he needed veterinary intervention, and she therefore called Redwings for help. The charity’s external equine behaviourist Mark Hudson assessed Spirit to see if professional handling therapy would be of benefit. After two full days working with the then 13-year-old pony, Mark concluded that Spirit’s was the worst case of fear and trauma he had ever seen and it was agreed that Spirit would be offered a place at Redwings where he could undergo a long-term rehabilitation programme.