Veterinary Breakthroughs Transforming Pet and Equine Care
The world of veterinary medicine is changing fast, bringing with it incredible new ways to care for our beloved animals. From innovative diagnostic tools to advanced treatments that support quicker recovery and improved comfort, these breakthroughs are helping pets and horses alike to enjoy longer, healthier lives.
For those of us who care deeply about animal welfare, it’s inspiring to see how science and compassion are working hand in hand to enhance wellbeing in the equine and veterinary fields.
Discover more about the latest advances in animal care in Everything Horse Magazine’s feature: Veterinary Breakthroughs Making Waves in Pet and Equine Care.
Remember we still have a number of events coming up to celebrate the festive season, including our: Red Carpet Charity Gala Evening on Saturday 15 November at the iconic Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire – this event is SOLD OUT but you can join a wait list in the event of any cancellations; Christmas Sale on Saturday 22 November at the Billericay Reading Rooms; Curry Lunches; and of course our Christmas Cake Decorating Workshop on Saturday 29 November, again at the Billericay Reading Rooms.
You can view and book for all of our events via our website.
Generate Donations when you Shop your Favourite Retailers Online
Did you know, you can help Remus Horse Sanctuary generate additional funds to help support our vital work just by shopping online?
By signing up to Give as you Live Online, we’ll receive a donation every time you shop at any of their 6,000+ registered retailers, including Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Tesco, Boots, Booking.com, Screwfix and Asos. The best bit? It’s completely free!
As well as generous donations for the Sanctuary, when you shop via Give as you Live Online you’ll also have access to top offers so you can save as well as raise!
Sign up today >
How does Give as you Live Online work?
- Sign up – Simply create an account to join our community raising funds for Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary.
- Shop – Start shopping through the website, app or better still, download the Donation Reminder to never forget to shop and raise.
- Raise – There are 5,500+ retail partners involved who make a thank you donation to us when you shop through Give as you Live Online.
Signup today >
Thank you for supporting Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary.
Christmas Cards and Calendars – Supporting the Sanctuary This Festive Season
We’re delighted to share our beautiful new range of Remus Christmas cards and our ever-popular annual wall calendar – both perfect for spreading festive cheer while supporting the animals in our care.
Our 2026 wall calendar features a special Remus resident each month, with stunning photographs and heart-warming stories that bring their personalities to life. These calendars sold out early last year, so if you’d like one, please don’t wait too long! You can order yours now from our online shop: Remus 2026 Wall Calendar.
As for our Christmas cards, we’re thrilled to introduce a brand-new and exclusive design this year: Festive Friends – a charming sketch capturing three of our beloved residents in a moment of festive mischief, featuring Charlie, Dante and Ginger the Cat.
Alongside this new addition, we’re also offering some of our most popular and unique packs, including Christmas Post, Home Comforts, Tea Time Drink, The Gathering, and Treacle – each featuring original hand-drawn sketches of individual animals from the Sanctuary. These designs are exclusive to Remus, by Mike Sherard, making them extra special to send, and to receive.
All proceeds from our cards, calendars and other gifts go directly towards caring for the horses, ponies, donkeys, and other animals at the Sanctuary. Your purchase helps us provide food, shelter, veterinary care, and warmth throughout the winter months – a time when our costs are at their highest.
So, if you’re looking for a meaningful way to support animal welfare this Christmas, please visit our shop today and order your cards and calendar. Every purchase makes a real difference.
Get Crafty!
If you love getting creative – or fancy learning a new skill – Remus Horse Sanctuary has just the thing for you this autumn! We’re delighted to announce three fabulous craft workshops designed for both seasoned makers and complete beginners. Whether you enjoy arts and crafts, cake decorating or jewellery making, or simply want to try your hand at something new, these events promise fun, friendship and a sprinkle of creativity – all while helping to support the Sanctuary’s vital animal welfare work.
Halloween Cake Decorating – Saturday 25 October
Join us for a spooky (and delicious!) start to the season with our Halloween Cake Decorating Workshop, taking place at the Billericay Reading Rooms from 11am to 2pm. Under expert guidance, you’ll learn how to create your own ghoulishly good cake designs – perfect for impressing family and friends this Halloween.
Bracelet Jewellery Making – Sunday 2 November
Next up, join us at the Sanctuary itself for our Bracelet Jewellery Making Workshop, from 11am to 3pm. Create your own beautiful, beaded bracelet under friendly, professional tuition, and enjoy a special tour of the Sanctuary, where you’ll have the chance to meet some of our much-loved residents. It’s a lovely day out for anyone who enjoys a bit of sparkle and a lot of heart.
Cute Christmas Cake Decorating – Saturday 29 November
Rounding off the season in festive style, our Cute Christmas Cake Decorating Workshop will take place once again at the Billericay Reading Rooms, from 11am to 2pm. Learn how to make adorable, festive-themed cakes that are sure to steal the show at your Christmas celebrations!
Sue Moloney, who runs these workshops for us, has been cake decorating for an incredible 35 years! She has a C&G qualification in sugarcraft, was a member of the Guild for many years and even Secretary of the Chelmsford branch for some time too!
Each workshop includes full tuition, so you don’t need to be an expert to take part – just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to have fun. Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.
To find out more and reserve your place, please use the links above. You might like to view our other events which you can do if you visit the Events page on our website.
We can’t wait to see what you create!
PS. If you love a good pub quiz too – check out our Quiz Night on Saturday 1 November.
Acorns and Horses – A Seasonal Danger to Be Aware Of
As the autumn leaves begin to fall, you might have noticed just how many acorns are around this year. Acorns may look both beautiful and harmless, but did you know they can pose a very real risk to horses? They contain toxins that can be harmful, even fatal, if eaten in large quantities – and with oak trees so common in the UK countryside, it’s important for horse owners and riders to stay alert.
This autumn is what’s known as a ‘mast’ year, when oak trees naturally produce a much larger crop of acorns than usual. While this is part of the trees’ natural cycle, it unfortunately increases the chances of horses encountering and eating them.
At Remus Horse Sanctuary, the safety and wellbeing of our residents is always our top priority. That’s why we’re sharing this helpful article from Horse & Hound, which explains why acorns can be so dangerous, the signs to look out for, and how best to keep horses safe. You can read the full piece here: Are acorns poisonous to horses?
Don’t forget our Wellness and Pamper Fair for humans on Sunday 12 October at Stock Village Hall! From 11am until 4pm, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of holistic treatments such as Reflexology, aromatherapy massage, crystal healing and plenty more. Plus there’ll be lots of stalls selling products and gifts. For full details please visit the website.
Celebrate 100 Years of World Animal Day at Remus Horse Sanctuary on Sunday 5 October 2025
Join the animals and humans for their final Open Day of the 2025 season and help celebrate the 100th anniversary of World Animal Day on Sunday 5 October from 1pm to 4pm.
World Animal Day, officially marked on 4 October, is a global celebration for all animals and the people who love and respect them. First established in 1925, it has grown into an international movement, uniting countries across every continent regardless of nationality, religion or political belief.
This year’s theme, ‘Save Animals, Save the Planet!’, emphasises the vital link between animal welfare and the health of our environment. Issues such as industrial farming, pollution, and habitat loss not only harm animals but also have devastating effects on the planet and people too.
Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, said: “2025 is a landmark year for World Animal Day as we celebrate its 100th anniversary. This year’s theme – Save Animals, Save the Planet! – perfectly reflects the interconnectedness of all life. By protecting animals, we are also protecting the Earth we share. These are values at the very heart of everything we do at Remus, and we hope people will join us at our Open Day to mark this special occasion and show their support for animals in need.”
Visitors are welcome at the Sanctuary from 1pm to 4pm and can enjoy meeting over 100 animals, while also learning more about the charity’s vital work and operations. There will be fun for the whole family, with walkabout entertainment, facepainting and a bouncy castle, live music, stalls to browse, and a special visit from Disney’s Minney Mouse during the afternoon.
Parking is available on-site, with disabled access, and dogs are welcome on a lead. Refreshments will be served, including afternoon tea by advance booking.
Entry is just £8 for adults and £6 for children, or £16 to include the Cream Tea, per person. Tickets can be booked online via the website.
Remus provides rehabilitation and care for more than 100 animals – including horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep and cats – many of whom have been victims of neglect, cruelty or abandonment. Founded in 1983, the Sanctuary has offered a safe haven for vulnerable animals for over 40 years.
Sue continued: “World Animal Day is a time for action, compassion and change. As we celebrate 100 years of this extraordinary global movement under the banner ‘Save Animals, Save the Planet!’, we invite everyone to come along, enjoy a wonderful afternoon, and stand together with us for animals everywhere.”
Purchase your tickets online now!
Happy 19th Birthday Grace
This October, we’re celebrating the 19th birthday of our beautiful mare Grace. Many of you will know her story, but for those who don’t, Grace came to us after being found wandering loose on the roads of Romford. She was terrified, pregnant and, heartbreakingly, blind.
It took 12 people four hours to safely catch her, as she was at huge risk of running into traffic or falling into the deep pond at the local kennels where she had strayed. Later, specialist ophthalmology vets at the Animal Health Trust concluded that her blindness was not natural, but deliberately inflicted – something had been put into her eyes to blind her.
A few months after arriving at the Sanctuary, Grace gave birth to her mule foal, Jess. Sadly, she couldn’t produce milk, so our team bottle-fed Jess around the clock for the first five months of her life. Despite the care and love she receives, Grace remains incredibly nervous of people. She requires sedation for both veterinary and farrier work, as she is simply too strong to handle otherwise.
Grace is a truly special member of our Sanctuary family, and we are so grateful that she has a safe, loving home here. If you’d like to support her on her special day, you can sponsor Grace directly via our website. And if you’d like to treat her for her 19th birthday, you’ll find plenty of goodies in our animal treats section.
Happy Birthday Grace – here’s to a gentle and peaceful year ahead.
Final Tickets Now Available for Remus Horse Sanctuary’s Charity Gala – With Stunning Auction Prizes Up for Grabs!
Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, is calling on supporters to secure their place at its glamorous Charity Gala Evening, taking place on Saturday 15 November 2025 from 6.30pm until late at the iconic Elstree Film Studios. The event promises an evening of exotic food, live entertainment from The Looters, and an exciting charity auction:
“We are delighted to announce that our star prize is a week’s holiday at the breathtaking Villa Thalia in Chania, Crete – a private retreat for up to six adults, complete with its own pool, panoramic mountain and sea views, and luxurious interiors. Perfect for making unforgettable memories with family or friends. Find out more at www.villathalia.com.”
Also on offer is a private vineyard tour and wine tasting for up to 10 guests at the award-winning New Hall Wine Estate in Essex – one of England’s oldest vineyards – where guests will enjoy an exclusive insight into English winemaking and sample some exceptional vintages. Visit www.newhallwines.com.
Other fabulous lots include professional canine location photoshoots with photographer Bridget Davey, a private guided tour of Ingatestone Hall with Lord Petre, framed memorabilia from EastEnders and the world of sport, an indulgent afternoon tea, a luxury Christmas hamper, golf for four, and a family photoshoot package worth £500 – ensuring something for every guest and budget.
If you’d like to support the event by donating an auction or raffle prize, or sponsoring part of the evening, we’d be delighted to hear from you. In return, your business will be featured on our social media platforms, your logo will appear on the big screen during the event, and your support will be recognised in our full-colour event programme.
“Tickets are selling fast – book now to join us for this sparkling evening and help raise vital funds for the Sanctuary’s rescued horses, ponies and donkeys. Together we can make a difference!”
For tickets and more information, please visit the charity’s website or call Dena Schwartz on 07778 379879.
September Birthday Celebrations here at Remus Horse Sanctuary
This month we’re celebrating three very special residents – each with their own unique story and a special place in our hearts.
Winston is 19 years old on 4 September
Winston was found at an illegal Traveller’s sale, standing alone in a dirty trailer hidden away at the back. Terrified and painfully thin, his blood tests revealed severe liver problems caused by ragwort poisoning – the result of being left in a field full of ragwort with nothing else to eat. Thankfully, Winston pulled through and now enjoys his life in comfort and safety here at the Sanctuary.
Marmite 2 is 8 years old on 6 September
Marmite had a dreadful start to life. Alongside his friend Flint, he was kept in a cage for much of his early years, left desperately thin and infested with worms and lice. Today, Marmite enjoys the freedom to roam with his field mates – a far cry from those early days.
Minty is 32 years old on 22 September
Minty came to us with three other ponies from a Riding School when their owner and 12 other horses were evicted. We rehomed the younger horses and took in the four oldest to live out their days in our care. Minty is much loved and well-remembered by the Essex children he taught to ride. He now lives happily with his best friend and fellow riding school pony, Scotty, and receives medication via a respiratory pump in the summer to help with his breathing.
If you’d like to help make their birthdays extra special, you can choose a treat for Winston, Marmite or Minty from our Animal Treats section – every gift makes a real difference.
Sadly we had to cancel our September Open Day and Dog Show due to the recent wet weather. However, we have lots of other events coming up, including our annual Fundraising Concert, Wellness & Pamper Fair, Halloween Cake Decorating Workshop and of course our Open Day in celebration of World Animal Day on Sunday 5 October. Book your tickets now!
Fun for All the Family at Remus Horse Sanctuary’s Dog Show and Family Fun Day – Sunday 7 September
Remus Horse Sanctuary will be opening its gates for the penultimate time on Sunday 7 September 2025 from 1pm to 4pm for its ever-popular Novelty Dog Show and Family Fun Day. 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 to the Sanctuary is £8 per adult and £6 for children, with free on-site parking and full disabled access. Cream Teas, including entry, can be pre-booked for £16 per person – perfect for a summer treat.
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 will be presented for 1st-6th place in each class, with entry just £2 per class.
- Children’s entertainer, bouncy castle and face-painting – and special guest star: Minnie Mouse!
- Delicious refreshments, live music, tombola, raffle, and a wide variety of stalls
The Sanctuary’s Open Days are a vital part of its fundraising efforts, 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 the visitors. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a fun afternoon, meet our animals, and learn more about what we do here.”
To book tickets for the Open Day and Dog Show, visit: www.remussanctuary.org/events/open-day-sanctuary-september.
To sponsor a dog class – ideal for local businesses – please contact: fundraising@remussanctuary.org.
More details can be found at www.remussanctuary.org, on the Remus Horse Sanctuary Facebook page, or by calling Sue Burton on 01277 356191.
Other Appeal
