Fundraising Fashion Show and Discount Clothes Sale in aid of Remus Horse Sanctuary

Enjoy a unique afternoon of fashion at Stock Village Hall in Essex on Saturday 17 May and raise funds in aid of Remus Horse Sanctuary. The fundraising fashion show will feature over 100 individual styles made up of timeless wardrobe essentials from leading high street fashion stores* such as M&S, Wallis, River Island, Mango, H&M, New Look, DKNY, Guess, White Stuff, Next and Oasis.

After the show guests will have opportunity to browse the rails and try on those items they’ve seen on the catwalk and purchase them at heavily discounted prices – generally at least 70% cheaper than the in-store price. A range of matching shoes and accessories will also be available to complement the clothes. And, in the event you change your mind, all items purchased can be returned within 14 days of the event for exchange or refund.

Catering for all shapes and sizes, the styles will be available in a range of sizes* from 6-22 ensuring there is something for everyone. During the show, the compere will describe what each model is wearing, the sizes available, and both the original and sale price.

Guests will have the opportunity to win a £50 Colours Gift Voucher in the raffle, and refreshments will be available during the afternoon including tea, coffee, soft drinks, homemade cake and savoury snacks.

Doors open at 1pm for the Fashion Show to commence at 1.30pm. The fashion show itself will last approximately an hour and a half, followed by plenty of time to try on and purchase the items of choice.

Tickets cost just £7 per person and should be purchased in advance either by telephoning the Sanctuary on: 01277 356191 or via the website. Book your tickets online here for the Remus Colours Fashion Show and Pop-Up Shop.

The fundraising fashion show is being organised by ‘Colours’ a leading provider of professional fundraising events.

“Last year’s event was a sell-out and a great success”, said Dee Shadforth at the Sanctuary. “We all had a really enjoyable afternoon and raised over £600 for the Sanctuary – we’re hoping to beat that this year.”

For further information, please contact Dee Shadforth via email: funding@remussanctuary.org.

*Subject to availability.

Join Us in Supporting Strangles Awareness Week 2025

Strangles is one of the most common – and contagious – equine diseases, yet with the right knowledge, vigilance, and preventative measures, we can help minimise its spread. Strangles Awareness Week (SAW) 2025, running from 5-11 May, is an opportunity for the equestrian community to come together, share information, and promote good biosecurity practices to protect our horses.

At Remus Horse Sanctuary, we are proud to support this vital campaign, encouraging horse owners, yard managers, and fellow equine charities to take part. By working together, we can help stop the spread of this distressing disease and protect the wellbeing of horses across the UK.

What is Strangles?

Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting horses, donkeys, and ponies. It causes fever, nasal discharge, swollen lymph nodes, and in severe cases, breathing difficulties. While rarely fatal, the disease can cause significant suffering and lead to prolonged recovery times. The best defence is awareness, early detection, and proactive prevention.

The ‘BEST’ Approach to Strangles Prevention

This year, the SAW campaign highlights four key steps to help prevent and control Strangles, using the ‘BEST’ approach:

Boost immunity with Strangles vaccination
Engage with trusted information
Separate unfamiliar horses
Temperature check routinely

By following these simple but effective steps, horse owners and carers can play a crucial role in stopping the spread of Strangles.

Get Involved

SAW 2025 offers various ways to participate, whether by sharing educational content, implementing biosecurity measures at your yard, or spreading awareness through social media. The campaign’s new yellow ‘BEST’ graphic is available to download and share, making it easy for everyone to get involved. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #SAW25 to support the movement and help spread awareness.

At Remus Horse Sanctuary, we take the health and wellbeing of our equines – and all our animals – incredibly seriously as you can imagine. We are committed to raising awareness about Strangles and advocating for better prevention measures. By standing together as a community, we can help reduce the impact of this disease and safeguard the future of our horses. For more information and to access resources, visit Strangles Awareness Week’s official website. Let’s spread the word, not the disease!

#StranglesAwarenessWeek
#SAW2025
#SimplyTheBEST

Visitors Welcome at Remus Horse Sanctuary for Early May Bank Holiday Weekend

The humans at Remus Horse Sanctuary will be welcoming visitors to the Sanctuary to meet the many and varied rescued animals for the first time this year, on Sunday 4 May from 1pm to 4pm.

Open Days at the Sanctuary are fun for the whole family, with a children’s corner and face painting, live entertainment, a variety of stalls, tombola and raffle. Visitors might also be lucky enough to spot special guest Mickey Mouse!

A range of delicious refreshments, including a Cream Tea with two plain scones, butter, jam and clotted cream with your choice of tea and coffee, are also available. We kindly request advance booking of the afternoon tea, which costs just £16 per person including entry.

Parking is available on-site with disabled access, and dogs are very welcome on a lead. Admission will be charged at just £8 per adult and £6 for children. Advance online booking is recommended via the charity’s website.

The Sanctuary hosts a variety of events, workshops and Afternoon Teas, the details for which can be found on our website – find out about our Fashion Show on Saturday 17 May!

The Sanctuary provides rehabilitation and care for over 100 animals, including horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep and cats. The Open Days are a vital source of fundraising for the charity which, due to its location on greenbelt land, can only open to the public for a limited number of days each year.

Sue says, “We’re keeping our fingers, hooves and paws crossed for a better summer this year – the weather was not kind last year and we had to cancel many of our fundraising events which sadly left a huge deficit in our funds.

“We’re immensely proud of what we do here, and love inviting the public to come and visit us to meet the animals and learn more about what we do.

“This year we’re introducing a number of new ways for the public to get closer to the animals and interact with them.”

For further information, visit www.remussanctuary.org or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.

How Horse Owners can Learn about Animal Care from Zoo Keepers

Believe it or not, behavioural techniques used with zebras and rhinos can help us take care of our animals in a more stress-free way…

A World Horse Welfare webinar has revealed how horse owners could follow in the footsteps of zookeepers and encourage their animals to be a part of their own care.

Zookeeper and equine behaviourist Barbara Dreyer described how ‘cooperative care’ trains animals such as zebras and rhino to take part in their own care with tasks such as hoof maintenance, grooming and medical examinations. She explained that positive reinforcement was the key rather than using restraint or force, instead teaching animals the correct behaviours for required procedures.

She added that this method offers the animal choice and allows them to trust you as they view the task as a positive experience, making it easier and calmer for both the handler and animal. Co-operative care has been used in zoos for more than 40 years and encompasses marine mammals, bears, hippos and big cats. Barbara’s own successes include training eastern black rhino to accept blood-testing and Grévy’s zebra to take worming treatments.

She said the techniques can be used successfully in the horse world as long as the animal understands, for instance, what behaviour is earning it the treat. So horse owners need to make it clear to their animal how they are earning that much anticipated treat.

If you’d like to come and meet our animals and find out more about what we do at Remus Horse Sanctuary, our first Open Day of the 2025 season will take place on Sunday 4 May from 1-4pm. Find out more and book your tickets online.

You might also be interested in our Cake Decorating Workshop on 12 April.

Ensuring the Best Care for Elderly Horses: Remus Horse Sanctuary Hosts Specialist Workshop

Remus Horse Sanctuary is inviting horse owners, carers, and equine enthusiasts to a dedicated Elderly Horse Workshop on Sunday 6 April 2025 at its premises near Ingatestone in Essex. This informative event will provide essential guidance on how to best support and care for ageing horses, offering expert advice on welfare, nutrition, and common health concerns.

As horses age, their care requirements change significantly, and understanding these needs is crucial for their long-term wellbeing. The workshop will be led by Remus staff member, Sue Moloney, covering key aspects of elderly horse care, including dentition, worming, colic, PPID/EMS and laminitis, arthritis, and enrichment. Additionally, Dengie Nutritionist Tracey Hammond MSc (Dist) will provide invaluable insights into feeding older horses, addressing age-related challenges such as poor teeth and weight loss that require careful dietary adjustments.

Attendees will gain practical knowledge and expert guidance to ensure their senior equines remain happy and healthy for as long as possible. This workshop is an excellent opportunity to learn from specialists, ask questions, and discover ways to enhance the quality of life for older horses.

Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, said: “We are passionate about ensuring that elderly horses receive the care and attention they deserve. This workshop is designed to empower owners and carers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions for their horses’ later years.”

To book your place, visit: www.remussanctuary.org/events/elderly-horse-workshop.

Advance booking is essential.

Sue Burton: A Life Dedicated to Equine Welfare

Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, has shared her journey of rescuing and caring for neglected and abused horses in this recent article in Your Horse magazine.

Inspired by the tragic story of Remus, a horse who suffered due to human cruelty, Sue established the Sanctuary over 40 years ago. Today, she and her dedicated team care for 74 horses, alongside donkeys, mules, sheep, goats, and cats!

Sue’s work extends beyond daily animal care – she tirelessly fundraises to meet the Sanctuary’s £500,000 annual running costs, organises welfare rescues, and collaborates with authorities to protect equines in need. Despite her background in historical research, a pivotal moment at an animal rights event changed her path forever.

The Sanctuary provides a safe haven for animals with heartbreaking pasts, including Holly, a blind mare rescued from neglect, and Minstral, a traumatised horse who defied the odds to survive. Sue’s motivation comes from seeing these animals thrive, knowing they are safe for life.

With unwavering determination, Sue and her team continue to fight for equine welfare, with their #BornToDie campaign ensuring that Remus Horse Sanctuary remains a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable.

You can read the article online here.

Remus Horse Sanctuary receives no financial support from the government and we would very much appreciate your help. You can do this in a number of ways:

Make a donation to our Winter Feed Appeal
Attend one of our Fundraising Events
Leave us a Gift in your Will

Exciting Spring Events at Remus Horse Sanctuary

As spring approaches, Remus Horse Sanctuary is gearing up for a vibrant calendar of events, offering something for everyone ahead of their much-anticipated Open Days, which begin on the first Sunday of the month from May through to October (weather permitting). With a diverse range of activities, supporters can learn, create, shop, and dine – all while raising essential funds for the Sanctuary.

March has some fantastic fundraising events to enjoy:

On Friday 8 March, put your knowledge to the test at our Quiz Evening at Stock Village Hall. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start – gather your team and join us for a fun and competitive evening.

On Saturday 16 March, there are two great opportunities to support the Sanctuary. First, our Online Auction via the Remus Facebook page starts at 11am, offering a fantastic selection of items to bid on. Later in the day, join us for the Curry Club at Nirvana Indian Restaurant in Ingatestone. For £22 per person, you’ll enjoy poppadoms, dips, a main course, side dish, and rice or bread. The event starts at 2pm for a 2.15pm sit-down, and advance booking is required. (These two events will also be repeated on Sunday 27 April.)

April kicks off with an Elderly Horse Workshop at the Sanctuary on Sunday 6 April, running from 11am to 3pm. This insightful session is designed to help horse owners understand how to support their equine companions in their later years. Attendees can enjoy tea, coffee, and homemade cakes while gaining valuable knowledge. The workshop costs £40 per person, and booking is essential by calling 01277 356191.

On Saturday 12 April, creative minds can take part in a Cake Decorating Workshop at the Billericay Reading Rooms from 11am to 2pm. Participants will learn to ice a cake with fondant and develop basic modelling techniques to craft their very own Easter Bunny cake! The workshop costs £45 per person, including sugarpaste, modelling paste, and a cake board. To secure your place, call the office on 01277 356191.

Look out for details on our website of our Fashion Show on Saturday 17 May and Enrichment Workshop on Sunday 25 May.

Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, said: “Spring is an exciting time for us as we prepare for our Open Days, and we’re delighted to offer such a wonderful mix of new events for our supporters.

“Whether you’re learning, bidding, or dining with us, every event helps to raise much-needed funds for the animals in our care. We’d love to see as many people as possible getting involved!”

For further information about the invaluable work at the Sanctuary, visit www.remussanctuary.org or call 01277 356191.

Why is My Horse Lame?

Learn to recognise the signs of lameness and what it can mean for your horse’s health…

As horse owners and carers we are usually pretty in tune with our animals’ health. With so many elderly, recuperating and rescued horses here at Remus, we are always on the lookout for problems, so we can treat them before they become more serious.

We all worry when a horse appears to be lame, but it’s useful to be able to identify the severity of the lameness and what it might signify. For instance, a severely lame animal may hold up their leg, and avoid putting any weight bearing on it, even when just walking – it could be the sign of a hoof abscess.

Less severe lameness might be the sign of tendon strain or arthritis. In that case you might not see the issue until they are going at a trot – you’ll likely see your animal’s head go down on the good leg and up on the lame one. It’s often something that is not noticed until the horse is lunged.

More serious is a lameness in both front legs – look out for the horse holding its head and neck in a rigid position, and moving with a short, choppy movement. Time to call a vet!

Finally, as a general point, being aware of your horse, the way it moves and its general disposition, will help you to more quickly spot anything out of the ordinary.

You can read more about lameness in this article on the Horse and Rider website: Looking into Lameness.

As the wet and windy weather continues, we are continuing to raise funds for our Winter Appeal. Please do make a donation to our cause – whether a grand gesture or small, every little helps and we and the animals are so appreciative.

Pop Sunday 4 May into your diaries to join us for our first Open Day of the 2025 season.

From Tragedy to Hope: Why Remus Horse Sanctuary Still Needs You

A Tragic Beginning

Whether Remus Horse Sanctuary is a new name to you or you’re a seasoned supporter, you may not know the story of why and how we were formed.

Not long after arriving in Essex from London in 1983, Sue Burton witnessed first hand the horrors of more than 100 horses abandoned on the bleak, flooded marshlands of Rainham. Thirteen were trapped by rising waters, left to drown in the most appalling conditions.

The Story of Remus and Pickles

Shortly after, the charity’s namesake, Remus, was found dumped outside a livery yard – tied to a lamp post in a pitiful, emaciated state. He had been stolen and starved in a dispute between two people over just £50. His suffering was too great to survive, and in an act of kindness, he was put to sleep.

Not long after Remus, Sue and her friend Pat heard about another desperate case – Misty and her foal, Pickles. Misty had sustained a fractured skull, possibly from a kick while on the Rainham Marshes during the flooding. Incredibly, her plight became known not because of her suffering, but because Pickles, left to wander, was attacking people on a footpath.

Misty, tethered and unable to reach her foal, was beside herself. Tied by her neck to the ground despite her fractured skull, she had no way to care for her baby. There was nothing more that could be done for Misty, and to end her suffering, the vet made the heartbreaking decision to put her to sleep.

Sue and Pat found themselves with Pickles – and an urgent need for land where he could live. But walking away from what they had witnessed wasn’t an option. And so, in 1983, Remus Horse Sanctuary was born.

Why Our Work is Still Urgent Today

We wish we could tell you things have dramatically improved in the last 40 years. While some progress has been made, it is simply not enough.

Even today, horses and ponies suffer the same horrific neglect and abuse. It’s estimated that there are over 7,000 welfare cases in England, with numbers rising every year. That’s why we launched our #BornToDie campaign on our 40th anniversary – to raise awareness and fight for real change.

By the way, Pickles went on to thrive, finding a wonderful home with Remus member Sue Tredget. He lived a long, happy life, passing away in his 30s.

How You Can Help

Sue and the team work tirelessly – raising awareness with councils and authorities, fundraising for change, rescuing animals in need, and providing care for the many residents at the Sanctuary. But we can’t do it without you.

The cost of running the Sanctuary continues to rise, just as your own expenses do. Every donation, no matter how small, helps us rescue and care for more animals in desperate need.

👉 Please support our work today.

In memory of Remus, Misty, and Pickles, and for all the animals who still need our help today and in the future. Please click the link to donate or learn more about our #BornToDie campaign. Together, we can make a difference.

What is Give as you Live Online?

You may have seen our social media posts in the past, or perhaps previous blogs about ‘Give as you Live’ – but perhaps you’re unfamiliar with how it works and whether you can trust it as a means of making donations to us. After all, most things that are too good to be true, generally are right! Well we think this is probably one of the few exceptions.

However, if you’re still in doubt, we’d like to share some further information with you.

How does Give as you Live work?

By shopping through Give as you Live Online supporters can raise free funds for us and other charities. Give as you Live Online work with over 4,300 popular high street retailers, as well as dozens of insurance, energy, broadband and utility providers. Supporters simply sign up to Give as you Live Online and use the website, iOS app, start page or Donation Reminder to browse retailers and make a purchase. Once you have shopped online a free donation is raised for the charity!

Where do the funds come from?

As a ‘thank you’ for bringing users to their website, the retailer pay Give as you Live Online a commission – they then turn this into a donation for the supporter’s chosen charity.

If their services are free, how do they make money?

Put simply, the Give as you Live team make their money through the retailers – part of the commission they receive from the retailers is retained by them to cover their costs. They donate 50% of the commission they receive to charity, and the other 50% is used to fund the ongoing development of Give as you Live Online.

All of this is done in the background – this means the donation amounts they display represent the actual amount the charity will receive – a 5% donation really does mean a 5% donation!

How do I sign up?

We have our own dedicated landing page on the Give as you Live website. It’s easy – and free – to register so you can quickly sign-up and start raising funds. It can be done with only a few clicks!

Click on any one of the links above and, once you’re on the Remus dedicated landing page click on the green button on the right hand side which says: ‘Support us, it’s free’ and follow the simple steps.

Your support in this way, makes a phenomenal difference to us here at Remus Horse Sanctuary. You’ll be able to see how much is being raised online via these simple steps.

And remember, whether you’re shopping for groceries, the sales, your holiday, or just switching your energy supplier, every little really will help! Just click below to sign up now!

SIGN UP NOW

Sale Items: We have a couple of gift boxes remaining with short ‘best before’ dates. Price reduced from £12 to £6 plus p&p. Choose from: