A pony who was neglected along with hundreds of animals at a farm in Nottinghamshire is now settling into his new home just in time for Christmas.

Will, who has a problem with his jaw that means he needed a special home, will now be looked after by the Redwings charity at their Caldecott Visitor Centre in Norfolk earlier this month.

Redwings’ Head of Welfare and Behaviour Nic de Brauwere assisted during the RSPCA-led rescue of more than 450 animals, including Will and around 70 other horses and donkeys, in November 2023.

Operation Teal involved over 100 staff from Beauties’ Legacy, Bransby Horses, British Horse Society, Dogs Trust, The Donkey Sanctuary, Redwings and World Horse Welfare who worked alongside the RSPCA, vets and police.

19 different species of animals were removed from appalling conditions in two fields, barns, outbuildings, sheds and filthy hutches. Virtually all the animals had not received veterinary care, and several had to be put to sleep to end their suffering.

Donkeys and horses were suffering from rotting feet, were underweight had not received any treatment for parasites and proper dental care. One donkey was so lame that she was put to sleep to end her suffering.

The floors of barns and enclosures were deep in faeces and stinking, mouldy forage. Most of the mares had mixed with stallions and had fallen pregnant.

Inspector Laura Baker from the RSPCA said: “The conditions we found all these animals living in were absolutely appalling.

“The smell of manure hit as soon as you walked through the gate and the sheer volume of animals in dire circumstances was quite overwhelming.”

In a prosecution case brought by the RSPCA, a 52-year-old man from Nottinghamshire was jailed and banned from keeping animals for life in September after pleading guilty to 25 offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

A 33-year-old woman was given a suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping dogs for five years after pleading guilty to two offences.

Redwings vet Nic said: “It was heartbreaking to see just how poor their quality of life was but being able to help them by supporting the humane catching, vet assessments and loading onto the many horseboxes, knowing they were heading to a much brighter future, was very rewarding.

“Will has a problem with his jaw – one part is shorter than the other and so his teeth do not meet as they should. He will therefore need close monitoring, regular dental check-ups and regular dental maintenance to live a happy and healthy life.

“I’m happy to say that he’s settling in well at Redwings Caldecott where he’s sharing a field with another pony, Tyson, over the Winter. He’ll be introduced to a bigger herd in the Spring.”

Will is one of almost 100 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules who live at Redwings Caldecott. Supporters can visit between 10-4pm Friday – Monday (excluding Boxing Day). 

If you’d like to make a donation to Will’s care, and that of others like him, please go to www.redwings.org.uk/support-us/donate