Does your horse get his beauty sleep?

The Dalai Lama once said: “Sleep is the best meditation.” We all know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep. Sleep relieves stress, restores our physical health and prepares us to take on the day ahead! Many of us also know all too well what a bad night’s sleep can do to us!

Have you ever thought about your horse’s sleep patterns? You might have noticed that he tends to sleep standing up, or that he likes a good lie down because he’s always covered in straw or shavings the next morning!

Horses experience slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, but to achieve REM sleep they must lie down. REM sleep is very important and evidence shows that horses unable to achieve REM sleep can suffer from sleep deprivation.

Researchers at Nottingham Trent University are currently looking into sleep patterns of various groups of horses. Just like humans, changes in sleep patterns can indicate changes in health. So, by raising awareness among owners of what is normal for their horses, the hope is that early warnings of ill health can be acted upon.

You can read the full story with a link to the current research here.

You will be able to visit the Sanctuary and meet all of our animals for the first time this year on Sunday 6 September. However pre-booked tickets are essential. Find out more here.

Good News for AmazonSmile

Good news! AmazonSmile is now available in the Amazon Shopping app on iPhones and Android phones.

AmazonSmile customers can now support Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary in the Amazon shopping app on iPhones and Android phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations:

Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into ‘Settings’
Tap ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process

If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, update your app. Click here for instructions.

Thank you for your support!

Buy a Bale of Hay to Support Charity

In late March, Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary was told to close the horse welfare charity and stop all fundraising – one of her worst nightmares! As a result, the ‘Buy a Bale of Hay’ appeal has been set up online to help raise funds to continue to care for and feed the animals at the Sanctuary.

£5 will help us buy one bale of hay, £10 will help buy two bales of hay, £15 will help the charity buy three bales of hay, whilst £20 will ensure one animal receives hay every day for a week. As one can imagine, the volume of food required to feed the charity’s 200+ animals is by far its biggest expense and challenge.

Ms Burton commented: “Thankfully our animals, for the most part, remain oblivious to everything going on around them. But we have been reliant on a handful of people to look after everything – and believe me, its hard work! Fundraising and events are crucial to our survival and there have been many days when I’ve wondered if we would even see it through to the autumn!”

After the winter months the charity is always desperate for its fundraising and events to start, to bring in much needed funds to feed the animals and pay the bills that have been mounting up over the winter period. The heatwave in spring meant that the normal grass supplies in the paddock were sparse, whilst the subsequent downpours have flooded the fields.

Due to the very stringent and necessary requirements about re-opening from the Government, Local Authority and National Farm Attractions Network, it is the charity’s intention to host a further virtual Open Day on Sunday 2 August but to welcome the public and host a live event again on Sunday 6 September – the first one this year.

Ms Burton said, “We have thought long and hard about opening to the public and we are very mindful that if we do we have to keep ourselves safe – if we go down with the virus then the animals wont be cared for. Also, a lot of our stall holders and volunteers are older, so we need to keep them as safe as possible and, of course, its very important that we keep our supporters safe too.

“It is important to us that we follow the guidelines and do things to the letter, so we will be making some changes to the way that the Open Days are run during September and October.”

To find out more about the appeal and to donate, please visit the JustGiving website here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/buyabaleofhay.

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

Sun care for horses

The heatwave may be over for now, but the hot weather we experienced last month led to a lot of problems in many animals, according to vets. We didn’t escape here at Remus either, with two ponies going down with colic and one with a chest infection. Thankfully, they are all now doing well.

Issues such as laminitis, heat stroke and fly irritation are all things horse owners worry about during the warmer weather. Perhaps one we don’t think about as much as we should is sunburn. You only have to check the weather forecast to see UV level warnings and a reminder to put on the suncream, but sunburn is a real risk to our horses too. Just like us, they have varying tolerances to UV rays, meaning some will burn quicker than others.

If you have a grey horse with light coloured skin they will have less melanin pigment, which is what helps to absorb the UV light, and therefore be more susceptible to burning. Muzzle areas are most commonly affected, but don’t forget other hairless areas such as the pastern joints, and potentially parts of the crest or dock where hair has been rubbed away.

Sunburn is not the only concern. Photosensitisation is an abnormal reaction of the skin to sunlight and can cause further internal problems, so sun protection is really important for our horses.

You can find out more about sunburn and photosensitisation in this article from Your Horse: www.yourhorse.co.uk/advice/vet-advice/articles/managing-sunburn-and-photosensitisation.

There are a number of ways you can help us care for our horses here at Remus:

Sponsor an animal for just £2 a month or £25 a year
Buy Feed
Make a donation

Microvolunteering for Remus

Would you like to help Remus Horse Sanctuary but don’t think you have the time – you can, if you become a microvolunteer!

Have you got a minute to microvolunteer for Remus?

We totally understand that everyone leads very busy lives nowadays, what with work and family commitments, so it can be really hard to find time for volunteering for the things you care about. But as a microvolunteer you can help us as little or as much as you like!

What is a microvolunteer?

The idea behind microvolunteering is that lots of us do a little bit and it adds up to something that makes a big difference. You’ve probably already taken part in microvolunteering without even realising it – maybe you’ve signed an online petition or retweeted a charity’s message. However, microvolunteering doesn’t just happen in the virtual world, remember when you walked a friend’s dog for them because they were sick, or helped an elderly neighbour with their shopping? All of these things are forms of microvolunteering.

Whether it’s a couple of minutes, an hour or so, or even a weekend, there are lots of ways to help Remus Horse Sanctuary. Here’s a few ideas below, but take a look at our Microvolunteering web page to find out more.

Meet one of our microvolunteers

Linda Anthony started volunteering for us in 2019. Here’s her story…

Why does microvolunteering appeal to you?

Coming to the end of my office-based career I started putting plans in place for an active retirement. Micro-volunteering for several different charities gives me the variety that one never experiences in a normal day job. Micro-volunteering leaves me in control of when and what work I do.

What made you decide to offer a few hours of your time to Remus Horse Sanctuary?

There are many charities out there helping vulnerable, elderly and disabled people but not so many charities offering the same help to vulnerable, elderly and disabled horses. Being an animal lover myself it seemed a perfect fit.

What was it about the opportunity that appealed to you?

When you micro-volunteer you are pretty much your own boss and can schedule when and how much work you want to do. I enjoy the work I am doing for Remus Horse Sanctuary and most weeks put in more than a couple of hours, but that’s my choice.

What benefits do you get from volunteering?

The buzz I get when I am successful in raising funds for Remus Horse Sanctuary is far greater than any job satisfaction I received in a very long career. Also volunteering for Remus Horse Sanctuary has given me the opportunity, at my age, to learn a new skill to keep the old grey matter in tiptop working order. But on top of all that I have met some wonderful dedicated people.

What would you say to anyone thinking of offering their time to help Remus Horse Sanctuary?

If you have time on your hands, don’t waste it in front of the TV. Find a cause you are passionate about and get involved. You’ll be amazed what you can achieve by donating a couple of hours micro-volunteering.

To find out more about microvolunteering with Remus and ideas for 2 minutes, 5 minutes or 2 hours of your time, please take a look at our web page.

Shout about it!

Every time you do something to help us, it makes life that little bit better for our animals. So let’s hear about it! Post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and don’t forget to tag us in as @RemusHorse on Twitter or @RemusHorseSanctuary on Facebook and Instagram. Use the hashtag #LoveRemus and we can repost your photos, selfies and posts to raise even more awareness for Remus Horse Sanctuary.

Thank you for your valued support!

Coronavirus Update

Late March we were told we had to close the Sanctuary and stop all Fundraising – for us this was going to be one of our worst nightmares as after the Winter we are desperate for our fundraising to start, so that we can begin to bring much needed funds in to feed the animals and pay the bills that have mounted up during the winter months.

Despite the Government claiming it was wrapping its arms around us all and keeping us safe during these unprecedented times, no help was ever offered to animal charities, nor were they even acknowledged. We have struggled through April, May, June and into July still without help and now that there is light at the end of the tunnel with zoos and wildlife parks etc opening there are so many rules and regulations that at present were we to try to have an Open Day with reduced numbers as requested with all the signage and new additions we have to put in place we would not make money so we are no further forward.

It looks like all stalls and fairs and fetes are cancelled for this year and we have real concerns how we will keep our heads above water until next Spring (assuming we can open then of course!). We will do our utmost to try to open this year but we do need to be sure that we can keep visitors and staff/volunteers safe and there are so many hoops to jump through and things that would need to be changed that for now we will closely monitor the ever-changing rules and requirements. If in the meantime you can help in any way, we would love to hear from you.

Can you help us with one of the following:

Make a donation
Set up a regular standing order
If you haven’t renewed your membership, please consider doing so
Why not sponsor an animal as a gift for yourself or a loved one?
Donate any unwanted gifts, good saleable bric-a brac, used postage stamps, any bits of scrap gold or jewellery
Can you organise a fundraiser at your workplace?
Consider microvolunteering

Anything that you can do to help keep our gates open will be very much appreciated.

We are hoping that all our members and families have remained well and safe during these very difficult times. Thankfully all staff and volunteers have remained well and able to care for the animals. As expected with these times, cruelty to horses is on the increase and we have seen and helped some pitiful cases. It breaks your heart to see what mankind has done to these beautiful creatures

On the whole, all the Remus animals have remained well, which has been a Godsend, especially in the first 6-8 weeks when Vets were not working. At the beginning of the Virus we were suddenly hit with not being able to get the animals food from our usual suppliers as people started panic buying their horse feed so we had to buy from other suppliers that didn’t offer us the same ‘good price’ as our Supplier does so we had to pay through the nose for feed. Our Hay Merchant very kindly allowed us to stack our barn full of hay and straw just in case someone in their family was taken ill and then they could not deliver to us. It was all an unknown quantity and none of us knew what to expect. Our two main concerns were (1) Could we get sufficient food and hay in to feed the animals and (2) If we had a proper lockdown where we couldn’t leave our homes what would we do about the animals so a small group of us had agreed that were that to happen we would stay at the Sanctuary and sleep in the offices but at least we were here to care for and look after the animals.

PETS AT HOME & SUPPORT ADOPTION FOR PETS – We were delighted to receive a grant of £5000 which was paid direct to our Veterinary Surgeon towards our ever-growing Vets bills. This was such a help and so very much appreciated.

PET PLAN FUND – We were able to receive a £2,500 donation from this Fund towards the cost of keeping the animals fed and cared for and we are very grateful to them for their support at this difficult time.

All very helpful when you consider each week, we pay £1000 each to our Vets, Feed company, hay merchant. £3000 a month on regular medications that the animals need. Then there are staff wages, HMRC costs, insurances, utilities, repairs to the buildings and premises, rent, waste costs to name but a few of the outgoings.

50/100 CLUB – Why not join one of these clubs? For £24 a year you enter into a draw that is drawn three times a year and pays out at each draw. £12 of the money donated goes direct to Remus and the other goes into a fund with the other 49/99 people and then three times a year there are three draws and the money gets split between the winning numbers. A great way to help the Sanctuary and to win a ‘bit extra’ for yourself. Email us for further information.

Remus Albert Einstein quote

Local Horse Charity Needs Your Support at Virtual Open Day Sunday 5 July

Remus Horse Sanctuary is struggling to survive whilst experiencing extreme weather conditions alongside increased vet, medication and food bills – whilst assisting in welfare issues across the county – without its normal summer fundraising events, due to Covid-19.

Since lockdown on 23 March, Remus Horse Sanctuary has been managing with a small, skeleton staff, who have been required to care for its 200+ animals. Like so many small charities, it has had to cancel all of its fundraising efforts and is struggling to survive. As a result, its Summer Open Days have turned virtual and the charity will be hosting a further event on Sunday 5 July from 1pm to 5pm across social media.

Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary said, “This is the third event we will have hosted virtually and we are learning with every one. But our fundraising is down dramatically and we are struggling to survive right now.

“Last week was one of the tougher weeks at Remus, where everyone was pushed to their limits! The weather was so incredibly hot which made it difficult to work in, especially when doing such heavy work. We have been short staffed due to sickness and holiday so have had fewer staff working much harder in such heat. The torrential rain floods the road into us and our fields, meaning we have to walk in and out of work, then the extreme heat plays havoc with the animals.”

To try and mitigate the huge financial loss, the charity has been organising its Open Days virtually across its Facebook and Instagram platforms – until it can re-open to the public.

The next Virtual Open Day will take place on Sunday 5 July 1pm until 5pm. “Instead of you coming to us, we will come to you, by social media. Please, do join us!” said Ms Burton.

The charity will be sharing messages from the humans that work at the Sanctuary and from its animals, via photograph and video. It will also have merchandise for sale, information on conservation, enrichment, a tour of the yard and much more!

Those interested in finding out more about how the Sanctuary is coping during this time and in joining one of its virtual Open Days, can visit: www.facebook.com/RemusHorseSanctuary and www.instagram.com/remushorsesanctuary. Details of all of the charity’s Open Days can be found online at: www.remussanctuary.org/event-category/open_days/.

Ms Burton summarised, “Over the past week, we have experienced sore feet in some of the animals, chest infections, colic due to the heat, bloating and a jaw infection. All of this on top of the whole financial situation caused by Covid and all fundraising being stopped and money starting to dry up, so we really could have done without the added costs of the vets coming in every day this week and extra medications.

“From a welfare point of view, we have been crazily busy having to deal with cases all over the county from an absolutely emaciated mare to a decomposing foal dumped in the hedgerow. These are such sad and difficult times for us all.”

Any help you can offer by way of donation, fundraising or otherwise would be very much appreciated. You can contact Sue Burton at the Sanctuary on tel: 01277 356191 or by email to info@remussanctuary.org.

Remus residents: some of the oldest equines to have lived

We’ve all known a special ‘golden oldie’ on our yard or at the local riding school who has defied science by still being ridden at 30 plus! While the expected lifespan for horses is 25-30 years and ponies 30-35 years, many surpass this.

The team here at Remus launched the Elderly Horse Awareness Campaign back in 2007 when we received backing from vets, nutritionists, well-known names in the equestrian world such as Jenny Pitman OBE, the Laminitis Trust and numerous feed companies.

Along with our team of experts in feed, dentition and holistic care, we constantly challenge the old adage that old age equals poor condition. Instead we focus closely on individual, changing needs and our residents are a testament to this thinking.

In an article of eight of the world’s oldest horses, two of them saw out their retirement here at the sanctuary.

Shane the liver chestnut, died aged 52 and was believed to be the oldest in the world at the time of his death in 2013. He remained well covered, healthy and enjoyed going out in the paddocks every day up to the day he died. Orchid passed away two years later aged 50. She was a Thoroughbred/Arabian cross who unfortunately suffered neglect before being moved to us to live out her final days peacefully. We also had another resident, a small black pony called Buttons, who passed away at a remarkable 54 years old.

You can find out about some of the other oldest horses and ponies in history here: https://horseyhooves.com/oldest-horses-in-history/

Please spare a moment to donate to Remus to help us continue the important work that we do here at the Sanctuary rescuing neglected and abused horses.

Local Horse Charity Goes Virtual Sunday 7 June

Like many small charities, Remus Horse Sanctuary has had to cancel all of its fundraising efforts and events as a result of Covid-19. The Sanctuary is currently existing with a small, skeleton staff, who are required to look after and care for its 200+ animals.

Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary commented on the Prime Minister’s recent announcement: “If the PM had said another 3 weeks of lockdown then we could start to move forward. But instead, my understanding is it could be July before they will even think about the hospitality/visitor sectors being allowed to re-open. We could survive the three weeks, but I have real concerns about surviving another three months or more.

“Everything goes on here – hungry mouths need feeding, staff need paying, vet fees and other bills come in on a daily basis but still there is no hope from the Government at all. At the beginning of all this we were told we had to close, and people had to stay in, so instantly our events were cancelled and our means of raising money disabled.”

To try and mitigate the huge financial loss, the charity is organising virtual Open Days – to be shared across its Facebook and Instagram platforms – until the Sanctuary can re-open to the public.

The next Virtual Open Day will take place on Sunday 7 June from 1pm until 5pm. “Instead of coming to us, we have decided to bring our Sanctuary Open Days to our supporters, by social media,” said Ms Burton.

Via video, the charity will be sharing messages from the humans that work at the Sanctuary and from its animals, with a little bit of history too. It will also have merchandise for sale, information on conservation, enrichment, a tour of the yard and much more!

Ms Burton concluded, “These are very worrying times. Every week it feels like the screws tighten and the mountain to climb gets higher.”

Keep on moving: joint problems in horses

Just as we humans have to look after our joints as we get older, so do we have a responsibility to care for our horses’ joints. Joint problems in horses are a common cause of lameness, with arthritis being the likely cause, particularly as horses get older.

While all of our residents here at Remus are retired, we still want to make sure they are as sound as possible, so that they continue to live life in comfort. General health of the elderly horse is extremely important, as it is directly related to quality of life.

Horses and ponies are living longer than ever thanks to better veterinary treatments and general nutrition. While late teens used to be considered old, many horses live and often work or even compete well into their twenties and longer! In order for them to be able to do this, however, we need to carefully manage joint health.

Currently, with the added pressures of lockdown, some of our ways of managing our horses’ needs may have changed. Perhaps you have taken the decision not to ride and have found that your horse has become stiffer as a result? Or has turning your horse away seen him pile on the weight, putting even more strain on his joints?

As with everything, prevention is better than cure. So, if you’re worried about new or existing joint conditions, get some expert advice. This article from Your Horse magazine is a good starting point.

Our hard work at the Sanctuary continues, despite Coronavirus, and we’re trying to survive on a small skeleton staff. Please consider making a donation, either as a one off or as a regular monthly payment.