You, Your Horse and Your Mental Wellbeing

The last two years have been hard – and we’re not talking about Remus’ financial hardships as a result of the lack of fundraising – the Covid-19 pandemic has bulldozed its way through our lives, challenging each and every one of us.

But in the wake of that incredibly difficult time, and hopefully as we head into a new era of normality, there seems to be a positive mental shift occurring; a newfound sense of appreciation amongst us. Some people have prioritised their health and chosen more active lifestyles. Others have resigned from jobs that left them feeling uninspired or opened a business out of their passion project. There are new hobbies, new relationships, new banana bread recipes! People are thinking about their own happiness, and their own mental wellbeing. So how do our horses play a part in that?

It is a well-trodden research path, the link between mental health and our relationships with animals. There is vast amounts of evidence to show that our furry friends can reduce stress levels, and help treat anxiety and depression. Horses provide us with companionship, help us build trust, and increase our mental focus. Not to mention the benefits of exercise and fresh air from riding and being outdoors.

In a recent Horse & Rider article, Emma Hutchison explores this link in more detail. She asks the question, What lessons can we learn from our horses?

We all know the saying, ‘Treat others as you wish to be treated’, but how about ‘Treat yourself as you’d treat your horse’? In the article, Emma talks about the levels of compassion we offer our horses on a daily basis. The good practice of working with “the horse you have on the day”, and treating each day differently, according to their moods and needs. Can you honestly say you offer yourself the same opportunity? Checking in on how you’re feeling each day is an important part of mental wellbeing. It helps you treat yourself with kindness and show compassion for yourself on an ‘off-day’.

There are a lot of things we can learn from our horses. This article shines a light on how mental wellbeing can be one of them. You can read more here.

Find out how Storm Eunice wreaked havoc at the Sanctuary.

Images: Sophie Boeme

Storm Eunice Wreaks Havoc at Elderly Horse Sanctuary

Storm Eunice raged through the Sanctuary on Friday 18 February 2022, tearing apart field shelters and flipping them into the air like cardboard, flattening fences and ripping tiles from roofs. Please help Remus rebuild and make the necessary repairs and replacements.

Field Shelters cannot be covered by insurance and, due to the rising cost of timber and inflation, Ms Burton is estimating a total of £34,500 will be required to address the full list of repairs resulting in the wake of Storm Eunice.

Initial investigations have reported a lengthy list of repairs at the Sanctuary amounting to tens of thousands of pounds. Major repairs are required as follows:

• Five field shelters destroyed
• Roof tiles missing from Donkey shed and across the yard
• Skylights in roofs blown out
• Apex and other bits of roofs broken
• Fencing smashed to ground

Founder of the charity, Sue Burton said, “We have never seen such devastation in such a short period of time – five field shelters were shattered, fences were flattened and tiles were ripped from roofs.

“As a charity we’re still reeling from the pandemic and losing out on all that fundraising for such a long period of time, so for something like this to happen now… well it’s beyond words!”

To help rebuild Remus please donate via their JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/campaign/rebuild-remus-after-eunice.

For further information about the invaluable work at the Sanctuary, visit www.remussanctuary.org or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.

Turn points into positivity

Your Nectar points could help make a real difference to charities like ours.

We’ve partnered with Nectar Donate, a new scheme which allows you to donate some (or all) of your Nectar points to good causes and charities on Crowdfunder!

No matter how many Nectar points you choose to donate, each and every one will be supporting your chosen charity, helping to make a real difference to our cause. It’s quick and easy to donate and there are no hidden fees!

How it works

1. Click ‘Get started’ to find a charity you’d like to support and click donate
2. When on the checkout page, ensure you sign in or sign up to your Crowdfunder account
3. Select ‘Donate with Nectar’ at checkout and ensure your Nectar account is linked – you’ll only need to link once
4. That’s it! Your Nectar points will then become pounds sent to support your chosen charity

Get started >

Every 200 points = £1 donated

100% of your donation will help do good for your chosen cause as there are no hidden fees.

Donations will need to be made in increments of £1 (200 points).

Storm Eunice wreaked havoc at the Sanctuary last week, find out more here.

Family of Elderly Shetland Ponies Rehomed

Damson, April and Mopsey find sanctuary at the horse charity in Buttsbury, near Ingatestone in Essex.

Three elderly Shetland Ponies, all in their thirties, have been rehomed at Remus Horse Sanctuary after their owner was struggling to look after them. Damson (38 years old), mother of April (32 years old) and aunt to Mopsey (36 years old) will be loved and cared for at the Sanctuary and receive the required medication to manage their various ailments.

At present the girls are in isolation whilst tests are being carried out to ascertain their needs – elderly horse care is a specialty at the Sanctuary. As horses and ponies get older it is vital owners are aware of their changing needs – in particular their teeth, diet, stabling and general healthcare.

The picture shows these delightful little girls from left to right: Damson, mother of foal April, and her niece Mopsey. Damson suffers from Cushings’ disease (PPID), which she is being treated for, and Laminitis. Due to her thick Cushingoid coat she has been clipped.

The previous owner, an elderly lady who was struggling to look after the ponies and her own sickly mother at the same time, contacted founder Sue Burton to see if the charity could help.

“It broke her heart to part with them, but she had the strength to make the right decision by them and let them come to Remus,” said Sue.

Extensive blood tests are required on all new animals at the Sanctuary. They have had their first Strangles test which came back clear. Once the second test is completed and they have the all-clear, they will be able to go out into the paddocks, meet the other ponies and live the rest of their lives together.

“Damson, April and Mopsey are such delightful little girls! They’ve always been together and, by coming to Remus, we will ensure they stay together.

“At the moment, this is quite a change for them, and Damson is quiet and quite nervous. April the youngest and by far the spriteliest has a lot of character and is the most confident. Mopsey is quiet and timid, she’s still not sure of us.

‘All three love their food and are eating well, which is always a good sign. We’re really looking forward to seeing how they develop and settle in at Remus.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation to support the ongoing care of Damson, April and Mopsey at the Sanctuary can do so online or direct to the charity. Details can be found at: www.remussanctuary.org/donate. People can also find out about sponsoring the newly homed Shetland Ponies here: www.remussanctuary.org/how-you-can-help/sponsor.

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

Hold your Horses, Drivers

The keen reader might remember that in last month’s blog we talked about the benefits of reporting incidents on the BHS Horse i app. The data collected by the app supports both local and national campaigns for equine safety – in particular their Dead Slow safety campaign.

We are currently seeing too many reports of road traffic incidents involving horses, so this is particularly relevant right now.

Launched in 2016, Dead Slow looks at ways to improve both horse and rider safety on the road. It provides education to drivers on how to pass horses safely, encourages riders to take measures to protect themselves, and works with MP’s, the police and road safety partnerships to drive community awareness and improvements.

Last year the Government undertook a review of the Highway Code. With the support of Dead Slow and the data gathered through Horse i, the BHS have been heavily involved as a member of the Highway Code stakeholders focus group. Acting as a voice for the horse community, the BHS suggested some significant amendments to the code. These amendments were laid before parliament in December and, we are pleased to report, due to be implemented by the end of January!

BHS Director of Safety Alan Hiscox told Horse & Hound of the changes, “I was dancing a little jig when I read them!” Adding, “this will be a major step for the safety of horses on the road.”

Some of the most significant changes are:

• Drivers are advised to pass horse riders and horse-drawn carriages at 10mph or less
• Drivers are advised to give riders at least two metre’s space when passing
• Riders will be considered alongside cyclists in a new hierarchy of road users
• Clarification that horses should never be passed on the inside
• Feral or semi-feral ponies require the same consideration as ridden horses

You can read more about the upcoming changes to the Highway Code, and Mr Hiscox’s response in this article of Horse & Hound.

The horse welfare crisis in this country continues to escalate and, on the back of the pandemic, Remus continues to exist literally from one day to the next. To make a donation please visit our appeal at:  www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/rmhs/cryforhelp.

Environmental Enrichments

At Remus we are very aware of the importance of environmental enrichments and the beneficial effects they have in improving the physical and emotional wellbeing of the animals. They help to promote wellbeing, provide exercise and mental stimulation and prevent boredom, lethargy and behavioural problems.

We have run workshops on environmental enrichments at the Sanctuary, which have proved very popular. Watching the animals investigate new things that have been placed in their enclosures is very satisfying! Enrichments don’t have to be expensive or time consuming to organise.

We also offer our animals self-selection herbs, which the animals would naturally graze on if they were out in the wild. Most herbs contain various medicinal properties and the animals will choose the ones they need for that particular time. Chamomile is good for stress, hawthorn good for circulation. If an animal is having joint problems they will often choose seaweed as this is good in helping with arthritic conditions. The list of medicinal herbs is endless!

At Remus we not only provide enrichments to our animals, but also to our wildlife. We plant flowers that attract the bees, shallow water bowls with stones in so that the bees/reptiles/hogs can access the water safely and we make toad houses from pieces of bogwood and logs. Regular checks of these toad houses last summer also revealed that they also became home to several species of small lizards!

Please Donate Your Unwanted Presents to a Good Cause and Reduce Landfill

Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, is urging people to donate their unwanted Christmas presents to the charity. Drop-offs can be made to the Sanctuary at Little Farm, Buttsbury, near Ingatestone, CM4 9NZ, between 10am and 4pm, any day of the week except Saturday, throughout January. Directions can be found on the charity’s website.

Approximately £42 million of unwanted Christmas presents are thrown out in landfill each year* but one person’s unwanted Christmas present will be a delight to someone else!

Remus Horse Sanctuary can make good use of these unwanted gifts at their sales, fundraising events, raffles and tombolas throughout the year. Additionally, any other items in a good saleable condition can also be dropped off at the Sanctuary during January, as well as used stamps, foreign coins and old mobile phones.

Sue Burton says, “We all receive the odd gift that we don’t like or wouldn’t buy for ourselves. But rather than throwing these presents away or sticking them in a drawer, you can help Remus to rescue and rehabilitate more horses and other animals across Southern England.”

For further information about the invaluable work at the Sanctuary, visit www.remussanctuary.org or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.

* Information collected by GWP Group and updated for 2021 – www.gwp.co.uk/guides/christmas-packaging-facts.

The Problems with Grass Grazing

We are now into winter after a very good summer for grass growth. That means it’s time to put some of the horses and ponies back to their original fields after being kept in on limited grazing for the last 6 months.

This is always a very exciting affair for both us and them to enjoy. Being cooped up this long is unusual given the good weather we have enjoyed this year – good for the grass to grow at least. It was wet and warm for long periods, which is ideal for the fields.

Unfortunately for a lot of our individuals, this flush of grass brings about laminitis, a serious health concern which can ultimately, if left unmanaged, lead to severe pain and even death

Laminitis is defined as ‘Inflammation of the laminae of the hooves causing lameness, often severe’. This inflammation is caused by the increased sugar levels in the grass which some individuals’ bodies can’t deal with. It therefore becomes damaging in the bloodstream, especially around the pedal bone in the foot, which in severe cases can rotate and penetrate downwards through the hoof at the bottom.

To avoid these problems during the spring months when the grass becomes very lush and high in sugar, we take all of our problem horses off these pastures and move them to areas of poor grass growth or bare paddocks that are coated with woodchip. We then carefully control their diet with hay to supplement the grazing they are losing and monitor them closely over the next few months.

Find out more about laminitis and visit our website for some winter advice for you and your animals when coping with snow, frost and ice.

If you’re able to help with a donation for our running costs during these difficult winter months, please visit: www.remussanctuary.org/donate

Horse i, the app with an eye for safety

Have you and your horse ever been involved in an incident? (no, this isn’t an advert for a no-win, no-fee solicitor). Something that put either of you in danger, or made you feel unsafe? Did you report it? Did you know where, or how to report it?

The BHS estimates that only 1 in 10 equine incidents are reported to them. In an attempt to increase this number, and empower riders, they launched an incident reporting app earlier this year. Using Horse i, you can report incidents like road rage, car accidents, dog attacks, fireworks and low flying aircraft, in just minutes.

Most riders are aware that sharing roads, fields, beaches and bridleways within our communities can sometimes be difficult. But often, incidents occur because local MPs, road safety partnerships or the police are unaware of the potential dangers we’re facing.

The data collected from Horse i, is used as evidence to support improvements in the community, to make it safer for riders, drivers and dog walkers alike. Without the data provided by you, it can be difficult to highlight the regularity and severity of these incidents.

The incidents you report through Horse i are used to;

• lobby and advise MPs – giving a voice to the equine community in government debates, on topics like road safety and fireworks
• support local safety campaigns such as, Dead Slow – Road Safety Campaign
• identify problematic areas or trends in the community
• promote awareness of equine safety at BHS events throughout the country

Whilst the app was released earlier this year, a more recent update has improved the loading of questions and added a feedback option after submission. Users have called it a “great initiative”, and “easy peasy to report to the BHS”.

The app is available in both iOS and Android app stores. Taking only a couple of minutes, the information you submit could make all the difference.

You can learn more about the app in this article from Horse and Hound.

Whilst you’re here, remember to check out our Christmas shop!

Christmas Order Deadlines

Thankfully Claire continues to be very busy sorting through all of the Christmas orders and gift sponsorships, and is skipping down to the Post Office with brave regularity given the cold weather we’ve been handed by Storm Barra et al!

However, regardless of how many trips she makes, sadly we cannot influence what Royal Mail do or don’t do. For that reason, you’ll find our deadline dates for ordering a little earlier than the normal recommended posting dates.

• For 2nd class orders, please place your order no later than Friday 17 December
• For 1st class orders, please place your order no later than Monday 20 December

As you know, we rely solely on the generosity of the public and our own fundraising to raise money for the Sanctuary. And, for each and everyone of you who has shopped with us this festive season, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! To be honest, the animals don’t mind where the money comes from, so long as it delivers food and warm bedding! 💚

To snap up those last-minute stocking fillers, visit our Christmas Shop.

And don’t forget to save us your used postage stamps!