Harry Potter is one of the many horses and donkeys that now live happily at Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
Harry Potter. Photo: Redwings Horse Sanctuary
Redwings is the largest horse sanctuary in the UK, currently providing permanent sanctuary to over 12oo horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across their five locations.
To help raise funds and awareness, and to provide infomation and training, four of their centres are open to the public. The Ada Cole Rescue Centre in Essex makes a pleasant day trip out of London.
I popped over there with my daughter just a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately for us, the cute and cheeky Harry Potter, probably their most famous resident, was away on holiday at one of their other centres, but plenty of other happy animals were there to greet us.
This is Zippy:
Zippy celebrated his birthday on 18th August but we didn’t manage to get back there to join in the party.
This is Del Boy, a very cheeky looking donkey indeed:
This is Misfit, a strong-willed and very hansdsome Shetland pony:
Entrance is free, though all donations are welcomed. For a fun way of donating, you can adopt one of the animals. My daughter used to sponsor Harry Potter, but on this visit we chose 2 new adoptees; she is now sponsoring Misfit, and I adopted Del Boy.
If you can’t visit, but want to get involved you can adopt online.
If you want to visit, the locations are:
Ada Cole Rescue Centre, Broadley Common, near Nazeing, Essex, EN9 2DH
Caldecott Visitor Centre, Caldecott Hall, near Great Yarmouth, NR31 9EY
Aylsham Visitor Centre, Spa Lane, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6UE.
Oxhill Visitor Centre, just outside Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire CV35 0RP.
Hapton Headquarters, Hapton, Norfolk (normally open only 2 weekends per year)
Linked to Frizztext’s Tagged H Challenge, ABC Wednesday and Alphabe Thursday.
Travel with Intent 
It makes me happy to hear that these horses always have a home!
Another great post for the letter “H”…
Thanks for linking.
A++
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Beautiful horses!
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i would love to home a horse not to ride just give a good home sadly not likley to happen unless I meet Mr Right
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A great idea. Where I used to live not far from Amersfoort in the province of Utrecht there was also a kind of resort for old horses to enjoy the last years of their lives. My children loved to see them whenever they went with us to see my mum.
Good choice.
Wil, ABCW Team
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How awesome! I love the perspective in your photos! If I ever get back that way, I’ll have to go take a look around.
Leslie
abcw team
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Misfit looks as though its two ponies joined together, both funny and cute. Thank goodness there are organisations like this to look after these beautiful animals.
Joy – ABC Team
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Beautiful animals!
Animal sanctuaries are such wonderful places.
Have a great day!
Lea
Lea’s Menagerie
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I love the bangs on the first horse. Great photos of the variety of Horses.
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That red tuft of hair reminds me of Donald Trump!
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Ha! Not sure Donald will like the comparison you make!
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It does my heart good to know that places like this one exist. 😉 Thanks for sharing.
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I’ve been on a similar farm with my grandson,
found no horses but some donkeys:
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