OUR CASTRATION PROGRAMME
Number of castrations in 2025
10!
Mr. Pugh – December 2025
WATCH MR.PUGH’S ARRIVAL HERE
Just over a week ago, we received reports of an abandoned stallion in a truly sorry state. His most basic needs were not being met, and it was clear that this had been a welfare case long before we arrived.
This poor boy was — and still is — suffering from laminitis, a painful disease of the hoof, most commonly caused by hyperinsulinaemia (high sugar intake from grass or feed).
He has never had his feet trimmed — a fundamental requirement for all horses and ponies. While trimming frequency can vary (typically every 4–12 weeks depending on lifestyle), such extreme overgrowth is a clear failure to meet basic needs and constitutes neglect.
An abandonment notice was issued and, thankfully, no one came forward to claim him. This allowed us to escalate the case and legally remove him, bringing him into our ownership.
Now this beautiful stallion finally gets what he deserves — a Woodfield second chance 
When it came to naming him, we wanted to show our gratitude to those who support us behind the scenes. We are proud to introduce MR PUGH, named in appreciation of Mrs Pugh, who has supported Woodfield for many years by donating monthly directly to one of our feed suppliers. Her generosity helps us enormously by reducing our feed costs and allowing us to help horses just like him.
Welcome home, Mr Pugh
Since then, we’ve been able to make some important first steps — though his recovery will take time.
Mr Pugh arrived suffering from laminitis, a painful condition of the hoof most commonly linked to hyperinsulinaemia caused by excessive sugar intake. This was not a sudden issue, but the result of long-term neglect.
He had never had his feet trimmed. A farrier with 45 years’ experience told us he has “never seen such a young pony with laminitis” — a statement that highlights the seriousness of his condition.
Despite this, Mr Pugh is beginning to settle. He has a gentle, slightly cheeky nature, but remains understandably nervous — as if he’s still carrying the weight of his past.
For the first time, he feels safe enough to lie down on his deep bed, allowing him to take pressure off his painful feet. Seeing him rest is a small but meaningful step forward. His deep bed costing a whopping £80! 10X£8 a bale to ensure he remains comfortable.
His feet have now been trimmed, marking the beginning of ongoing, careful management and rehabilitation.
What happens next?
Mr Pugh is booked in for:
• Castration
• Microchipping
• Passporting
These essential steps will help secure his future and allow him to continue progressing at Woodfield. We now need to raise the funds to cover these costs.
Once castrated, we hope he may eventually find a companion here — something every horse deserves.
As Mr Pugh is now officially booked in, he becomes the 10th Woodfield castration of 2025!
HENRY’S EMERGENCY RESCUE – June 2025
WATCH HENRY’S EMERGENCY RESCUE HERE
Henry, came to us under heartbreaking circumstances after being attacked by other stallions on local common land. As soon as we received the call, we jumped into action.
After sedating him, we were able to secure Henry in a pen and transport him to our vets, where he remained for many days while his extensive wounds were treated.
His most serious injury—a deep leg wound—had to be flushed in the operating theatre, and during that time we all held our breath, hoping no infection had reached his knee joint. Thankfully, Henry pulled through.
He has since been castrated and now enjoys peaceful evenings in the field with his companion, Michael.
Henry’s story is yet another reminder of the ongoing challenge we face against indiscriminate breeding on common land in South Wales.
MICHAEL’S EMERGENCY RESCUE – June 2025
WATCH MICHAEL’S RESCUE HERE
The stallion was extremely distressed and dangerously trapped. With every movement, the wire tightened, risking catastrophic injury. Due to the location, his wild nature, and the severity of the entanglement, this was not a rescue that could be approached conventionally. our specialist emergency team was required, and the decision was made that chemical immobilisation was the only safe option — both for the stallion and for those trying to save him.
This grey stallion was discovered entangled in telephone wire on a Gower common, a terrifying and life-threatening situation for any horse — particularly one living wild. His rescue by Woodfield Animal Sanctuary was both urgent and highly complex.
He was carefully darted, freed from the wire, and stretchered off the common, a dramatic and costly emergency operation that could not be delayed. Every second mattered.
Following his rescue, he was brought into our care, where he was named Michael. He later underwent castration, a vital step not only for his long-term welfare but also to prevent further contribution to the ongoing cycle of indiscriminate breeding seen in south Wales.
Today, Michael’s story has a far brighter chapter.
Now recovering well, he has formed a close bond with another rescued stallion, Henry. The two are inseparable, spending warm summer evenings grazing peacefully together in our home fields — a scene that could not be further removed from the chaos and danger of Michael’s first days with us.
From a terrified, trapped wild stallion to a calm, content companion, Michael has truly captured all of our hearts — and his journey stands as a powerful reminder of why emergency rescue, specialist intervention, and long-term sanctuary care are so vital.
THE ABANDONED COLTS – June 2025
WATCH THEIR RESCUE/ARRIVAL FOOTAGE HERE
On the 2nd of June 2025, we received a call-out concerning four young colts. Abandoned out of the county, their future was uncertain from the very beginning.
They had been dumped on a dangerous main road, prompting the Police to attend. The ponies were initially herded into a nearby farmer’s field for safety. Sadly, the following day, that same farmer ushered them back out onto the main road, closing his gate behind them.
A very kind family with nearby land, close to where the ponies were once again stranded, agreed with the Police that the colts could be placed on their land temporarily. They remained there while an abandonment notice was served.
An abandonment notice allows the “owners” a set period of time to come forward and claim the animals. Once this period expires, ownership legally transfers to the landowner.
As the abandonment period came to an end, this kind family were at their wits’ end — they simply could not keep the colts long term. They reached out to numerous sanctuaries and charities, but no one was able to help.
No owners came forward.
So we made the several-hour journey to collect them.
Safe at last.
NICHOLAS
SPARKY
WARNE
FRANKIE
On the 24th of June 2025, we successfully castrated these beautiful six colts/stallions, continuing our ongoing fight against the growing crisis of indiscriminate and antisocial equine breeding in Wales.
This crisis sadly results in Woodfield facing the cost of a monumental number of castrations every single year, as we work tirelessly to reduce future suffering and prevent further abandonment and neglect.
Alongside rescuing and castrating colts across Wales, we are committed not only to intervention but also to education and campaigning. We strive to raise awareness locally and worldwide about responsible equine ownership, breeding, and welfare.
This battle is ongoing — and we continue it only with your support.
NOW OFFICIALLY GELDINGS!
ROBBIE & BARTY – JANUARY 2025
WATCH THEIR RESCUE/ARRIVAL FOOTAGE HERE
Rescued in January 2025 these colts were dumped on a football pitch in Swansea and so at risk of euthenasia. -It took several hours to pen the terrified foals. On arrival at the sanctuary it was apparent both foals, especially Robbie, were terribly undernourished and sick. They have found their feet and are slowly starting to trust humans. A big percentage of ponies rescued over the years by Woodfield have been abandoned- bred indiscriminately and dumped when they have the misfortune of being born a colt. It’s usually animal sanctuaries that end up picking up the pieces, homing and caring for these unwanted colts. -Not to mention footing the bill for castration and rig operations. Founder of Woodfield Robbie Bartington was very vocal in her thoughts on this very subject and over the years saw to it that hundreds of colts were castrated. Robbie worked alongside local authorities in recent years to castrate stallions on many different
Both boys have now been successfully castrated and are living life to the full. When Robbie first arrived, we were deeply concerned — he was incredibly weak and frail, and his future was uncertain. Seeing him now, thriving and growing stronger every day, is a powerful reminder of why this work matters so much.
A huge percentage of ponies rescued over the years by Woodfield have been abandoned after being bred indiscriminately, dumped simply because they had the misfortune of being born a colt.
Time and time again, it is animal sanctuaries that are left picking up the pieces — providing safety, rehabilitation, long-term care, and loving homes for these unwanted colts. This also means sanctuaries carrying the heavy financial burden of castration and rig operations, costs that are unavoidable but essential to prevent further suffering.
TRULLI & STORM – 2024/2025
While checking the ponies on local common land during the horrific weather, we became increasingly concerned for Trulli. She was heavily in foal, and that year had already shown us that not all foals would survive the conditions.
Trulli was a wild pony who had never been handled. For the first time in her life, she was brought into safety — with a roof over her head, deep straw beneath her feet, and constant access to food and warmth.
On the 19th May 2024, during the loudest claps of thunder and flashes of lightning, Trulli gave birth to a beautiful colt. Against the odds and in the heart of the storm, new life arrived — and he could only be named Storm.
At just 6 months old, it became apparent that Storm was ready for castration.
While some may question why we castrate at such a young age, the reality is that early castration is one of the most effective tools we have in preventing indiscriminate and irresponsible breeding — a crisis that continues to overwhelm rescues and sanctuaries across Wales and beyond.
Uncontrolled breeding leads to foals being born into unsafe conditions, without adequate care, shelter, or long-term plans. Too often, these young lives end up abandoned, neglected, or suffering — not because they weren’t wanted, but because there was no foresight or responsibility in their breeding.
Castration allows colts like Storm to grow up calmer, safer, and more settled, able to live socially in mixed herds without the risks that intact males can pose. It also ensures that Storm will never contribute to the cycle of unwanted foals.
This decision was made with Storm’s future, welfare, and safety at the heart of it — and with the wider equine welfare crisis firmly in mind.
Responsible choices today protect lives tomorrow.
