Celebrate Our July Birthday Stars!
Here at Remus Horse Sanctuary, every animal has their own unique story – and when their birthdays come around, we love to make them feel extra special. This July, several of our wonderful residents are celebrating another year of life, healing, and happiness, thanks to your continued kindness.
In this blog, we’re shining a spotlight on our birthday boys and girls – from cheeky ponies to gentle donkeys – each with their own personality and journey to share. You’ll find links to sponsor them, send them a treat, or even come and say hello at one of our upcoming events!
Meet Our July Birthday Stars
Willow – 1 July – Happy 18th Birthday!
Willow was born right here at the Sanctuary to her mum Rowan, who arrived traumatised and underweight after a difficult past. Without any of us knowing, Rowan gave birth alone one night – a dangerous delivery due to her size and young age. Thankfully, both mum and foal survived, and the pair have shared a strong, unbreakable bond ever since. You’ll rarely see them apart in the field!
Send Willow a birthday treat | Sponsor Willow
Minstral – 3 July – Happy 32nd Birthday!
Minstral was found dumped in a field in Braintree, with a severely swollen stomach from overbreeding and a torn Linea Alba causing a serious rupture. We feared we might not have long with her – but over ten years later, this brave and beautiful mare is still going strong. Due to her past, she prefers her own space, so she lives in a paddock with neighbours nearby for gentle company. In 2016, after a ruptured eye had to be removed, she bounced back with incredible resilience, thanks to expert veterinary care and lots of love from our team.
Send Minstral a birthday treat | Sponsor Minstral
Jakie – 5 July – Happy 8th Birthday!
Jakie’s early life was filled with fear – she was dumped behind a church, completely feral, and terrified of people. With tragic reports of other dumped youngsters dying on the roads, we were determined to rescue her. A specialist team had to dart her, but thankfully she was safely brought to Remus and has since transformed into a friendly, confident pony. She now enjoys life with her friends Heidi, Blax and Dora.
Send Jakie a birthday treat | Sponsor Jakie
Mopsey – 6 July – Happy 38th Birthday!
Mopsey arrived at Remus alongside her aunt Damson and cousin April – a close-knit family who had spent their entire lives together. When their elderly owner could no longer care for them, she asked us to keep them together, and we were more than happy to welcome them. Though nervous at first, Mopsey has now settled in beautifully and is enjoying her golden years with her lifelong companions.
Send Mopsey a birthday treat | Sponsor Mopsey
Dolly 2 – 18 July – Happy 30th Birthday!
Dolly 2 spent 22 years on a tethering chain with little food, water or companionship. When she arrived at Remus, she couldn’t believe her newfound freedom – and she embraced it with joy. Despite a permanent limp from an old foot injury, Dolly settled quickly and is now known for her love of routine (and banging on the gate if dinner’s late!).
Send Dolly 2 a birthday treat | Sponsor Dolly 2
Hovis – 24 July – Happy 17th Birthday!
Hovis had a difficult start before coming to Remus. After being bullied by the horse he lived with, his situation became so concerning it was reported to the RSPCA. When his owners moved to Wales, the same horse attacked Hovis again during transport, and the people due to take them in refused him. Thankfully, we were able to step in and offer him a safe home. Now, he lives happily with his donkey friends and is especially close to Wesley and Spencer – his best pals and constant companions.
Send Hovis a birthday treat | Sponsor Hovis
Laddie – 31 July – Happy 27th Birthday!
Laddie came from a background of hardship, born and bred by Irish Travellers and passed from place to place before being rescued from abuse. Arriving traumatised and aggressive, he slowly learned to trust again. After losing his companion Bella, we introduced him to the donkey herd – and after some gentle encouragement, he began to play and form strong bonds. Now Laddie enjoys the company of many donkey friends, with Harvey being his best pal.
Help Make Their Birthday Extra Special
Your support means the world to our animals – not just on their birthdays, but every single day. Whether you choose to sponsor one of our residents, send them a little gift, or visit us in person this summer, you’re helping us continue our vital work in giving these animals a safe, loving home for life.
Don’t forget to check out our Events Page to see when you can next visit the Sanctuary, meet the animals in person, and see your support in action. From everyone at Remus – thank you, and happy birthday to our beautiful residents!
Fun for All the Family at Remus Horse Sanctuary’s Dog Show and Family Fun Day – Sunday 6 July
Remus Horse Sanctuary will be throwing open its gates once again on Sunday 6 July 2025 for its ever-popular Novelty Dog Show and Family Fun Day, taking place from 1pm to 4pm. The Dog Show will begin at 1.30pm, with bookings taken from 1pm.
Visitors to the Sanctuary at Little Farm, Buttsbury, near Ingatestone, can enjoy a relaxed afternoon meeting the rescued animals, enjoying refreshments, browsing stalls and entertainment, and of course, taking part in the light-hearted fun of the dog show. Admission is £8 per adult and £6 for children, with free on-site parking and full disabled access. Dogs on leads are very welcome.
This much-loved event offers an afternoon packed with activities for all ages, including:
- Novelty Dog Show with fun classes such as Bad Hair Day and Best Sausage Catcher, as well as the more heartfelt Dogs with a Disability and the ever-popular Best in Show.
- Rosettes for 1st-6th place in each class, with entry just £2 per class.
- Children’s entertainer, bouncy castle and face-painting.
- Live music, and sing-along entertainment.
- Delicious refreshments, tombola, raffle, and a wide variety of stalls.
Cream Teas, including entry, can be pre-booked for £16 per person – perfect for a summer treat.
The Sanctuary’s Open Days are a vital part of its fundraising, helping to support the ongoing care of over 100 rescued animals. As the Sanctuary is located on greenbelt land, it can only open to the public a limited number of times each year, making each event all the more special.
Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, said: “Our novelty dog shows add something really special to our Open Days, and they’re always a hit with visitors. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a fun afternoon, meet our animals, and find out more about our work in a relaxed and welcoming setting.”
To book tickets for the Open Day and Dog Show, visit: www.remussanctuary.org/events/open-day-at-the-sanctuary-july.
To sponsor a dog class – ideal for local businesses – please contact: fundraising@remussanctuary.org.
More details are available at www.remussanctuary.org, on the Remus Horse Sanctuary Facebook page, or by calling Sue Burton on 01277 356191.
Bluetongue: A Growing Threat to Our Animals
At Remus Horse Sanctuary, we dedicate ourselves to providing love, care, and protection for the animals who call our Sanctuary home. But right now, they face a new and serious threat – bluetongue disease. This devastating virus is spreading across the UK and leaving a trail of suffering in its wake. At the Sanctuary, this means our sheep and goats are at risk.
“Due to climate change and rising temperatures, the midges have been able to spread north, bringing bluetongue to the UK.”
What is Bluetongue Disease?
Bluetongue is a viral disease transmitted by biting midges, primarily affecting ruminants like sheep and cattle. It can also impact goats, deer, and camelids such as llamas and alpacas. The disease causes fever, swelling of the face and tongue, excessive drooling, and in severe cases, lameness, and respiratory distress. Sadly, for many infected animals, the outcome is fatal.
While horses are not currently affected by bluetongue in the UK, our concern at the Sanctuary is for our vulnerable sheep and goats, who are very much at risk.
Where Has Bluetongue Come From?
Bluetongue is not a disease that originates in the UK. It is most common in warmer climates, particularly in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. However, due to climate change and rising temperatures, the midges that carry the virus have been able to spread further north, bringing bluetongue to the UK. The disease is now appearing more frequently, making it a growing concern for farmers and animal sanctuaries alike.
The Impact on Our Sanctuary
Caring for elderly and rescued animals is at the heart of what we do, but the spread of bluetongue is an additional and growing challenge. The Sanctuary is home to many sheep and goats who have already endured so much in their lives. The risk of this disease adds to their vulnerability and places even more strain on our resources.
With cases of bluetongue increasing in the UK, we have had to step up our biosecurity measures. We are working tirelessly to reduce the risk of infection by:
- Implementing extra midge control measures, such as insect-repellent sprays and all our ruminants have been vaccinated against bluetongue – this will not stop them getting it but will hopefully mean if they do get it, they may not get it quite so badly.
- Monitoring our animals closely for any early signs of the disease.
- Ensuring our veterinary teams are on high alert and prepared to act swiftly.
All these measures come at a cost – both financially and emotionally. Vet bills, specialised care, and protective measures are stretching our already limited funds, making donations more crucial than ever.
Biting midges that can spread bluetongue are found throughout Great Britain. They can also be blown long distances on the wind and bring the virus over from mainland Europe.
The following factors affect how quickly and how far the biting midges can spread bluetongue virus:
- time of year – biting midges are mainly active between April to November (‘high risk’ season)
- weather conditions (temperature, wind speed and direction, and rain)
- the distances between farms with susceptible animals and the density of animals in these farms
Biting midges can become infected with bluetongue virus when they bite an infected animal. The virus spreads when the infected biting midge then bites an uninfected susceptible animal.
Once a biting midge is infected with bluetongue virus, it can transmit the virus for the rest of its life. Adult biting midges typically live for up to a month but can survive longer.
How You Can Help
Bluetongue is just one of many challenges we face in our mission to provide a safe and loving home for animals who have nowhere else to turn. Your support can make a real difference. A donation, no matter how small, will help us continue protecting our residents from this and other threats.
We urge the government to increase funding for research into this. In the meantime, we remain committed to doing everything we can to safeguard our animals. If you’d like to support us in this fight, please consider making a donation today. Every pound counts and will go directly towards keeping our beloved animals safe and well.
Thank you for standing with us and for caring about the welfare of the animals who rely on us. Together, we can make a difference.
Our next Open Day – with fun Dog Show – will be taking place on Sunday 6 July. Book your tickets online today. You can find details of all our events on our website, just visit the What’s On page.
Happy 40th Birthday, Damson!
We’re thrilled to be celebrating an incredible milestone here at Remus Horse Sanctuary – our beloved Shetland pony, Damson, will be 40 years old on 1 June! This makes her the oldest resident at the Sanctuary, and we couldn’t be prouder of how well she’s doing.
Damson’s story is a little different from many of our rescue cases. While most of the animals at Remus come to us as victims of neglect or abuse, sometimes we’re called upon to provide a loving, secure home when an owner is no longer able to cope. That was the case with Damson, her daughter April, and her niece Mopsey.
A Life Full of Love and Loyalty
Damson, April, and Mopsey spent their entire lives together, cared for by a devoted owner. As the years passed, and both she and the ponies grew older, it became increasingly difficult for her to meet their needs – both physically and financially. Wanting to ensure the trio stayed together and received the care they deserved, she turned to Remus for help.
While taking on elderly animals – especially those with existing health concerns – comes with significant costs and long-term responsibilities, at Remus we’re committed to providing the very best quality of life for every animal that comes into our care.
The girls were understandably nervous at first. After all, they were leaving the only home they had ever known. But with time, patience, and gentle care, they soon settled in and began to thrive.
Courage in the Face of Ageing
At 40 years old, Damson is not just an old soul – she’s an inspiration! She suffers from Cushing’s disease (PPID), which requires ongoing treatment. She’s also prone to laminitis, so her diet and environment are carefully managed to keep her comfortable.
Despite these challenges, Damson’s spirit remains strong. She continues to enjoy her days with April and Mopsey by her side, basking in the sunshine and the affection of visitors and carers alike.
A Legacy of Longevity
Damson is not the first long-lived equine we’ve had the privilege of caring for. At Remus, we have a proud history of supporting elderly animals to live out their golden years in health and happiness:
- Buttons, our much-loved black pony, lived to the extraordinary age of 54.
- Shayne, the liver chestnut gelding once believed to be the oldest horse in the world, passed away aged 52.
- And Orchid, a cherished member of our herd, celebrated her 50th birthday in January 2015 and lived to be 51.
Each of these animals remained well-covered, healthy, and active until the end – a testament to the power of expert care, good nutrition, and, above all, love.
Celebrate Damson’s Special Day
If you’d like to help us mark Damson’s 40th birthday, there are a couple of special ways to get involved:
🎁 Sponsor Damson – Give a birthday gift that helps support her continued care.
👉 Sponsor Damson
🍬 Send a Birthday Treat – Visit our shop and send a little something to make her day extra special.
👉 Animal Treats
We have a number of other animals celebrating their birthdays in June including: Bracken, Davey, Dickie, Dora, Harvey, Jilly and Toffee.
Why Your Support Matters
Every animal deserves to feel safe, loved, and respected – no matter their age. Damson’s story is a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when we offer compassion, commitment, and care.
Thank you for helping us give Damson – and so many others like her – the peaceful, dignified life they deserve.
Have you nominated Remus in the next Benefact Group Draw?
Benefact have shared that in 2024, more than 10% of winning charities received 10 or fewer nominations. Please don’t let us be one of them!
YOUR NOMINATION ALONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
The third £1,000 draw of the year is fast approaching, so please get your nominations in by midnight on Sunday 1 June.
You can vote for Remus Horse Sanctuary online here:
The 50 winning charities will be announced on Friday 6 June.
The Movement for Good Awards is an annual programme of giving that anyone can get involved in, and again this year they’ll be donating over £1 million to charities and good causes. Benefact Group is an independent, specialist financial services group which gives all of its available profits to charity and causes. Owned by a registered charity, Benefact Trust, Benefact Group’s family of businesses provide specialist insurance, investment management and broking and advisory services in the UK, Australia, Canada and Ireland.
Furthermore, Benefact Group is the third-largest UK corporate donor to charity over a decade, according to the Directory of Social Change’s UK Guides to Company Giving 2017-26.
Don’t forget…
It’s one nomination per charity per person. And the earlier you nominate, the more £1,000 draws your chosen charities will be entered into. Nominations made from 1 January 2025 to 15 December 2025 will be entered into all remaining £1,000 draws. But nominations from previous years do not roll over.
Thank you so much for supporting the Benefact Movement for Good Awards!
PS. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 1 June for our next Open Day. Full details and tickets via the website. Or call us on 01277 356191.
Seven Million Horses at Risk – Remus Backs Call for Legal Reform
Remus Horse Sanctuary welcomes the recent call from World Horse Welfare (WHW) urging the European Union to strengthen animal welfare laws and better protect the continent’s seven million equines. The charity’s report, Invisible Horses, highlights the lack of species-specific legislation and enforcement across the EU, leaving many horses, donkeys, and mules vulnerable to neglect, abuse, and exploitation. The report reveals that equines often fall through the cracks of existing regulations, particularly during transport, at slaughterhouses, and when used for work or tourism.
WHW’s recommendations include creating EU-wide minimum standards of care for equines, improved enforcement mechanisms, and greater recognition of the vital role equines play in rural economies. The charity also stresses the importance of educating owners and authorities to ensure that all equines are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, said: “This long-awaited review is not only necessary but urgent. Equines across Europe have suffered in silence for too long, and we wholeheartedly support WHW’s call for action. It’s time these animals were properly recognised in law and given the protection they need and deserve.”
The call for legislative reform also echoes the Sanctuary’s own Born to Die campaign, which highlights the thousands of horses in the UK bred each year only to be discarded, neglected, or slaughtered when they are no longer wanted. The campaign raises awareness of this heartbreaking cycle and calls for greater responsibility and accountability within the equine industry. Like WHW’s report, it reinforces the urgent need for stronger, enforceable laws to protect equines at every stage of their lives.
The White Paper ‘Good Welfare for Equids’ can be viewed online.
If you would like to find out more about the vital work at Remus Horse Sanctuary, you will be able to visit on Sunday 1 June from 1pm until 4pm, for one of the Sanctuary’s family and dog-friendly Open Days. Book your ticket online at: https://www.remussanctuary.org/events/open-day-at-the-sanctuary-june/ or contact the Sanctuary on: 01277 356191.
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.
Read more at www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/how-cooperative-care-techniques-used-to-train-zebras-and-rhinos-could-benefit-horses-885816.
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.
Other Appeal
