Gwyn – A Long Road Back to Health

Gwyn – A Long Road Back to Health
Rescuing an ex-racehorse from slaughter, severe neglect and giving her the chance of a new life.

When Gwyn arrived at Eat Sleep Ride, she was in a critical state. Severely underweight, with every rib visible, her coat dull and lifeless, she was also battling multiple untreated medical issues. Stitches from a previous injury had been left in far too long, causing pain and swelling. Her teeth — badly affected by advanced diastemas — made eating difficult and painful, leading to further weight loss. An open wound on her leg was infected, and her skin was inflamed from untreated dermatitis.

The first step in her recovery plan was immediate veterinary intervention:

• Wound care — Daily cleaning, antibiotic treatment, and careful bandaging.

• Dental surgery — Removing infected teeth and addressing the diastemas to make eating comfortable again.

• Nutritional support — Small, frequent feeds tailored to her condition to encourage weight gain without overloading her digestive system.

• Skin treatment — Medicated washes and creams to treat infection and reduce irritation.

• Regular farrier visits — To correct hoof overgrowth and ensure she can stand and walk comfortably.

Gwyn’s recovery is far from over — her journey will take many more months of careful management, monitoring, and kindness. She is still building strength, learning to trust human touch again, and adjusting to a routine of treatment. Some days are good, some are setbacks — but each small gain is celebrated.

In time, we hope Gwyn will not only regain full health but also take part in gentle activities at Eat Sleep Ride, sharing her quiet resilience with the young people who visit. For now, she is a living example of why rescue work matters — because every horse deserves the chance to heal.

“She’s not there yet — but every day she’s showing us that she wants to fight for her future.”