Cryptic Quiz to Entertain You

Jenny Palmer’s cryptic quizzes have for many years helped to provide a little of the much-needed funds for the Sanctuary.

Her present Lockdown Quiz is currently on sale at £1.50 a copy and there is a prize of £25 for the winner! The quiz is guaranteed to fill in some of those hours of boredom whilst in lockdown.

Obviously Jenny is unable to sell her quizzes at live events, so if you able to help her and, of course, the Sanctuary, by purchasing a copy please get in touch with her. Jenny can be contacted either by telephone on 01277 654065, by email at palmer38@sky.com, or by mail at 38 Little Norsey Road, Billericay, CM11 1BL.

Thank you for your support

What seems like kindness could kill

February is the month of love and kindness. Unfortunately, the horse world has been experiencing some perceived acts of kindness by the public, which have sadly had dire consequences for too many of our beloved equines.

Since the first lockdown last year, many more people have been taking to the countryside for walks. At the same time, the British Horse Society (BHS) has been made aware of increasing instances of horses becoming ill, or even dying, as a result of the public feeding them or other acts such as leaving gates open. The BHS subsequently launched their #BeHorseAware campaign to raise public awareness of the suffering that can be caused.

However, in recent months, cases have continued to rise and both the equestrian and national press have been publishing news stories of tragic instances up and down the country. Just last month, a distressing image of a pony choking on some chopped carrots left on the ground in the New Forest went viral. Riders and owners have also started getting together to come up with ways to raise awareness; a new Facebook group called “Stop Feeding our Horses” attracted almost 4,000 members in its first week.

The BHS have now teamed up with the University of Bristol whose research showed that more than three quarters of horse owners surveyed found that their horses were fed without their permission, and that nearly a third became unwell as a result, with half of these needing veterinary treatment. Shockingly, 16 percent of these sadly died or were euthanised.

You can read more about the study and link through to the BHS #BeHorseAware campaign at: www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2021/january/behorseaware

For genuine concerns about a horse, pony or donkey in distress, please complete the Remus Horse Welfare Watch Report Form and email to: info@remussanctuary.org.

For out-of-hours emergencies, please call the RSPCA on tel: 0300 1234 999.

To find out more about the Remus Horse Welfare Watch, click here.

And if you would like to contribute to our ‘Feed a Tethered Horse Campaign’ you can find out more and do so here.

Feed a Tethered Horse this Winter

Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, Sue Burton, is appealing for support of a new appeal to buy a Bale of Hay, to help feed the many tethered horses in the South East of England.

Based on Ms Burton’s knowledge, the number of tethered horses in Essex alone is likely to exceed several hundred, with many thousands more across the South East. The charity believes there is no justification for tethering a horse, pony or donkey. Yet despite the Animal Welfare Act, many owners still choose to use this method to keep their animals.

Ms Burton said, “Tethering horses, ponies and donkeys, is in direct conflict with their very nature. These are flight animals, they’re gregarious and social interactors. Tethering denies them of their basic principles of the five freedoms.”

A tethered horse will quickly run out of grazing within the circumference of its restraint and often have no water. The charity receives telephone calls and messages from members of the public 365 days of the year, reporting horses, ponies and donkeys that are in distress, tethered, malnourished, diseased and worse still, dead.

The small team do what they can to get food and water out to the animals in these instances and will mount rescue operations for the more severe cases.

“Our revenue, like so many other charities, has been severely affected by Covid-19. We still need help to recover the shortfall from 2020, let alone supply feed to these poor forgotten creatures.”

Although the number of Coronavirus cases in the UK is at last starting to fall, there is no respite in sight for the charity for at least another 6 months and quite possibly longer. It is, as yet, unknown whether the Sanctuary will be able to open for its first Open Day in May. All bar one event was cancelled in 2020.

“Equines may be able to live out in all weathers, but this is based on the natural native pony who is loose and can walk to keep warm, walk to find shelter, and trickle feed throughout the day. All of these rights are denied to an animal that is tethered.”

In addition to buying a bale of hay to assist the campaign, members of the public can report tethered horses to Remus and write to their MP.

The Remus website provides comprehensive information on horse welfare, tethering and the five freedoms for those who would like to find out more; whilst the charity’s online shop provides various options for feed and enrichment.

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

Social Behaviour in Horses

January has rolled around again; the month of fresh new starts and exciting exercise regimes, well, in usual years at least! While January 2021 may still consist of some of that, it also consists of ‘bubbles’ and ‘social distancing’, which is not so different to some interesting new research into horses’ herds from the University of Bristol and Royal Veterinary College.

The research is based on how the social behaviour of horses living in herds can influence their body condition. Much like if we live with people who play video games all day, we might do the same, but if we live with keen walkers, things might be very different!

The researchers looked at the social dominance of each equine and how often their grazing was disturbed – through vigilance, movement and social interactions, positive or negative. As you might expect, higher vigilance was linked to a lower body condition score, as these horses spent less time grazing.

It goes to show that a horse who is underweight or overweight can be helped by who it is turned out with. An overweight horse will spend less time grazing if it spends more time grooming or playing with its field mates.

At Remus, our residents are turned out in small groups for a harmonious environment. However, other horses aren’t so lucky and we do experience large herds together, particularly in instances of fly grazing. Unfortunately some horses in these types of situations suffer socially, which has an impact on their physical and mental wellbeing.

If you would like to buy food for an animal for a week or a tethered horse, you can do so online on our website at: www.remussanctuary.org/product-category/animal-treats.

New Year PUSH for New Shelter Roof

Happy New Year to you! Just before Christmas, we launched a new fundraising appeal to help us to build a new roof for one of our shelters which houses Pippa, Sophie, Dickie and Megan…

The area that we call the shelter is a large area enclosed on three sides with two gate size openings at the front which allows access to the laminitic paddock. This area is lived in by Pippa, Sophie, Dickie and Megan. If you were fortunate to visit us for the one Open Day of 2020 when we could actually open to the public, you may have seen it. It is the large barn on the right hand side as you enter the yard.

Last year we grew very concerned as the roof began to leak and, despite two patch up jobs the leaks have continued! It is very important for us to get this roof fixed prior to the really bad weather starting as these horses will need the protection.

We have received a quote for the works and, to fit the extra timbers to the inside, then fix treated timber battens over the existing felt to the entire roof area spaced from the eaves to top of the roof; pack some of these battens out to reduce the bow in the roof bays, and then fit PVC coated galvanised steel sheeting and barge boards to either end and flashing at the top…will cost £3,600 including VAT.

Will you help us raise the necessary funds by giving our appeal a big New Year PUSH?

You can donate online directly via this link: www.justgiving.com/campaign/NewShelterRoof and please do share the details of our appeal on your social media profiles and with your friends and family.

Thank you!

A little long in the tooth?

We all know how hard the pandemic has hit us during 2020. In the horse world, there have been more welfare-related calls to equine charities than ever before and together we are very worried that the country faces a horse welfare catastrophe this winter, as restrictions continue to affect us socially and economically.

Although times are hard, it’s important that every aspect of our horses’ welfare is looked after as usual; even the parts we might think are OK to cut back on ‘just this once’.

A good example is teeth. We don’t ordinarily look at our horses’ teeth, so they can be easily forgotten about. However, dental problems can occur in horses of all ages, as they can in humans. So regular examinations are really important to stop any potential problems in their tracks.

Signs of dental problems can range from a change in appetite (an easy one to notice in most horses!) to headshaking or quidding. Quidding is where they drop their food back out of their mouth. One of the main causes of new arrivals here at Remus being underweight, apart from lack of food, is tooth problems such as painful abscesses.

Even in horses and ponies with healthy mouths, the teeth do wear down with age – between 2mm and 3mm a year – so it’s important to keep them in top condition and alter their management accordingly.

This article from Your Horse has more information on spotting the signs of dental disease: https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/advice/horse-care/articles/spotting-the-signs-of-dental-disease

If you would like to buy a gift for one of our animals this year, or provide hay to feed a tethered horse, you can do so via our website here.

Remus Member Announced as Horse & Hound Volunteer of the Year 2020

Sue Burton, founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary is delighted to share that volunteer Esme Fordham has been awarded ‘Volunteer of the Year’ in the Horse & Hound Awards for 2020, sponsored by Dengie. Mrs Fordham was shortlisted and the winners announced on 8 December.

Mrs Fordham started volunteering at the Sanctuary in 2013 when, at age 74, she was recovering from cancer. Ms Burton recalls, “I remember Esme visiting one evening to bottle feed Jess the mule. She said, ‘if only I was younger, I would be able to help.’ Now, 7 years later, her help has become invaluable.

Esme Fordham, now 81 years of age, has been a member of the Sanctuary for many years. She provides assistance by helping in the office, overseeing the volunteers and much of the fundraising, including organisation of the popular Afternoon Teas which are held during the summer months.

“The award is to recognise the sacrifices made by those wonderful volunteers who enable countless others to enjoy their horses, sport or profession week in, week out, through their incredible dedication and selfless actions – and this is certainly true of Esme,” said Ms Burton.

The Horse & Hounds Awards, in partnership with NAF, have been virtual this year and the innovation means equestrian fans around the world can be part of the celebration.

The awards video can be viewed on the Horse & Hound website at: www.horseandhound.co.uk/awards. Volunteer of the Year is included within the first video on the page and can be found at 20:22.

This year’s awards celebrate the heroes of the past decade (2011–2020) in elite equestrian sport, while honouring the unsung stars who have helped our industry, our horses and our spirits during this unusual year. Award winners are nominated and voted for by the public and anyone is welcome to nominate the person, group or horse they feel deserves recognition.

Mrs Fordham said, “I’m delighted and honoured to have won this Award and I am so grateful to everyone who voted for me. I am proud to be associated with Remus and be involved in the wonderful work they do.”

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

What an incredible Giving Tuesday!

What an incredible Giving Tuesday we had. Together we were able to gain a number of new monthly donors, and we couldn’t have done that without your help.

Your support means we are another step closer to achieving our goal of getting more regular monthly donations. Regular monthly donations will help us to become more sustainable. This winter will be extremely tough for us, due to the losses we have incurred as a direct result of Covid-19.

We know there are lots of other charities out there who were also asking for support on Giving Tuesday and we want to say a special thank you for choosing to support us here at Remus Horse Sanctuary. We couldn’t do what we do without you, your support really has made a world of difference.

If you weren’t able to help us yesterday or missed our messages, there are a number of ways you can still do this. Please just choose the one best suited for you and remember to check the box for a monthly donation:

Online
- Via a Just Giving account
- Via PayPal
- Via Give as you Live
Offline
- Download this Standing Order Mandate form from our website (or telephone us to request a copy on 01277 356191) and return the completed form to us for processing

And finally, don’t forget to share your wonderful generosity on social media tagging us @RemusHorseSanctuary (on Facebook and Instagram) or @RemusHorse on Twitter.

We look forward to making Giving Tuesday 2021 an even bigger success for our rescue animals here at Remus.

We only have a Few Hours left on Giving Tuesday to Achieve our Goal

Giving Tuesday will end at midnight, only 6 hours away. #GIVEBACK2020

We urgently need your help to help us reach our goal of gaining a minimum of 200 NEW MONTHLY DONORS in the next few hours.

Watch this short video from our Founder, Sue Burton

Helping us to reach our goal is easy. All you need to do is create a new monthly donation of just £5 a month and you will help make the world of difference to REMUS and THE ANIMALS WE CARE FOR.

There are a number of ways you can do this, please just choose the one best for you and remember to check the box for a monthly donation:

Online

Offline
- Download this Standing Order Mandate form from our website (or telephone us to request a copy on 01277 356191) and return the completed form to us for processing

Don’t forget to share your wonderful generosity on social media tagging us @RemusHorseSanctuary (on Facebook and Instagram) or @RemusHorse on Twitter, @GivingTuesdayUK and using the hashtag #GivingTuesday.

Let’s get together and #GIVEBACK2020 to boost our fundraising on 1st December

Giving Tuesday is just around the corner and this year we are asking you, our supporters, to set up a £5 monthly donation to help us recover some of the funds we have lost during Covid-19, and we can’t do it without your generosity.

This year has been a difficult year for us all but Giving makes us feel Good. #GiveBack2020 is a chance to take something positive from 2020 and make a difference at the same time.

Giving Tuesday is traditionally a day when people and organisations from all over the world come together to support the causes and communities that mean so much to us all. This year GIVING BACK has never been more needed as charities struggle with increased demand in services and a massive fall in income.

We are asking you to help us reach our goal of gaining 200 new monthly donations on Tuesday 1st December and really make a difference for THE ANIMALS WE CARE FOR by DONATING JUST £5 A MONTH.

There are a number of ways you can do this, please just choose the one best for you and remember to check the box for a monthly donation:

Online

Manual Form
- Download this Standing Order Mandate form from our website (or telephone us to request a copy on 01277 356191) and return the completed form to us for processing

Since Giving Tuesday is all about the power of social media and collaboration, we would love it if you could share how you are supporting us on your own social media channels. Don’t forget to tag us @REMUSHORSE on Twitter and @REMUSHORSESANCTUARY on Facebook and Instagram and @GivingTuesdayUK and use the hashtag #GivingTuesday.

Together we can make generosity go viral.

From everyone here at Remus Horse Sanctuary, thank you for your continuing support on Giving Tuesday and every other day.