Redwings Horse Sanctuary's oldest pony dies aged 46

Willow the Welsh pony has died aged 46

A rescue pony who lived to the "remarkable" age of 46 has died, a horse charity said.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary, said its oldest resident, Willow, who had been with them for more than 20 years, died on Friday.

She previously lived on common land in Wales and was taken to the Norfolk sanctuary after an RSPCA prosecution.

Described as a "friendly and precious girl", Willow is thought to have lived to a record-breaking age.

Welsh ponies can normally be expected to live to the age of 35.

A Redwings statement said: "Her remarkable age even saw us contacted by the Guinness World Records this year - not an email we ever imagined we would receive!"

A rainbow appeared over the Redwings horse hospital the day Willow died

Willow experienced sudden and severe stomach pain at the sanctuary in Hapton, south of Norwich, and vets were called to check her.

"Our teams rushed to help and did everything they could for her, but we had to let her go so she did not suffer," the organisation said on its website.

Redwings vet Dawn Treyhorn said: "She was so loved by so many. I feel for everyone. I've never known so many people come to say goodbye to a pony."

The charity, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, has rescued more than 5,500 horses, ponies and donkeys.