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!

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

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.

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.

#GivingTuesdayNow

As you know, #GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of unity and generosity, taking place today, Tuesday 5 May, as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. It is a day for us all to show how much we appreciate those key workers who have played such an important role over the last weeks and months and to those charities who are always there working on the important issues that make such a difference.

Our skeleton staff have kept Remus going since lockdown. We’re delighted to be part of #GivingTuesdayNow and thank them and our amazing volunteers for all of their assistance, not just now, but since we began.

We are calling on you, our members and supporters, to help us specifically today on #GivingTuesdayNow but if you can’t help us today, please do consider us tomorrow, or next week or when you get paid at the end of the month. There are numerous ways you can make a donation including via our website.

Without your help we won’t survive, and we need your help to continue feeding and caring for the precious rescue animals that we have saved since we started the charity in 1983.

Please, unleash your generosity and share our plea!

#GivingTuesdayNow #CharityUniteUs #EveryDayCounts

Remus Horse Sanctuary Responds to Urgent COVID19 Need with Virtual Event

Remus Horse Sanctuary responds to urgent Covid-19 need with a virtual event filmed at the Sanctuary’s location in Essex, joining #GivingTuesdayNow in a Global Day of Giving and Unity…

Remus Horse Sanctuary is responding to meet the needs of its 200+ rescued animals by organising a virtual Open Day at its premises in Essex on Sunday 3 May from 1pm until 5pm, to be shared across its Facebook and Instagram platforms.

Ordinarily, the charity would be a hive of activity right now, getting ready to open its doors to the public next Sunday for the first time this year to receive some 3000 visitors, for what would have been its first Open Day of the 2020 season. Instead a small skeleton staff are caring for the 200+ rescued animals at Remus Horse Sanctuary.

As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the team at Remus Horse Sanctuary have decided to open its doors virtually for the first time.

“Instead of coming to us, we have decided to bring our first Open Day of the 2020 season to our supporters, by social media,” said Founder Sue Burton.

The Virtual Open Day coincides with #GivingTuesdayNow – a global day of unity and generosity, taking place on 5 May 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.

Research by the Charities Aid Foundation who lead #GivingTuesday in the UK has found that many charities are struggling to survive due to COVID-19, with 37% saying they will not be able to last beyond 6 months. It also found that there are significant levels of generosity, with more than half of people saying they expect to help their neighbours or friends with shopping/errands or check on their vulnerable or elderly neighbours.

To shine a spotlight on this incredible generosity and to support charities at this difficult time, CAF has launched this special #GivingTuesdayNow as a chance for people to show their gratitude to all the people who have supported us through these difficult weeks – their friends, families and wider communities.

Charities of all sizes have been playing their part in this battle, harnessing the goodwill of so many to help meet vital needs which have not gone away in the face of coronavirus. With fundraising events cancelled and many volunteers self-isolating, charities are facing an uphill struggle to continue to be there for those in need.

This #GivingTuesdayNow is, above all else, a day to thank all essential workers from everyone in the NHS – medical staff, cleaners, porters, laundry staff and caterers – to the food chain staff, delivery drivers, bin collectors, public transport workers, teachers, milk and post men & women, emergency services, community volunteers, workers making PPE and tests, your neighbours and of course, charities.

We are encouraging everyone to share a message of thanks on social media and a heart in their front window (or a combination of both!) to demonstrate our collective gratitude to all the people who are helping us through these difficult times. And of course, for those who are able, to think about giving to a charity close to their heart.

The UK’s #GivingTuesdayNow lead, Grainne Mathews, said: “The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is proud to lead #GivingTuesdayNow here in the UK and to join wholeheartedly in this celebration of the people who are helping us through such dark days – charities have taken their place in helping to deliver for our communities and we could not be more inspired to support them in all that they do.”

Ms Burton went on to say: “This is not something that we’ve ever tried before, but we are having an extremely tough time at present – as are many small charities – with zero fundraising activity so, we hope, that by bringing our event to our supporters directly, we can achieve our target of raising £5000 during the day.”

Those interested in joining Remus’ virtual Open Day and #GivingTuesdayNow efforts can visit: www.facebook.com/RemusHorseSanctuary and www.instagram.com/remushorsesanctuary.

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

Virtual Open Day at the Sanctuary May

Instead of coming to us, we have decided to bring our first Open Day of the 2020 season to you, by social media, on Sunday 3 May from 1pm until 5pm.

It’s not something that we have ever tried before, but as you’ll know if you’ve been keeping up with our posts on social media and our email newsletters, we are having an extremely tough time at present – as are many small charities – with zero fundraising activity so, we hope, that by bringing our event to you, we can achieve our target of raising £5000 during the day.

Via video, we’ll be sharing messages from the humans that work at the Sanctuary and from our animals, with a little bit of history too. We’ll also have our merchandise for sale, information on conservation, enrichment, a tour of the yard and much more! We hope to entertain you throughout the afternoon and would ask you to share the details of our first ever virtual event with your friends, family, and groups on social media.

Join us on Facebook or Instagram.

We and the animals look forward to seeing you!

Learn more about #GivingTuesdayNow.

Raise Free Funds When You Download Home Entertainment

Did you know that you can raise FREE funds for Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary when you download or stream home entertainment for the family via Give as you Live Online?

It’s free
There’s a handy app
There are over 4,400 stores!

If you haven’t signed up for your Give as you Live account yet, it only takes 2 minutes and is totally free!

Shop & Raise >

Help spread the word and get others raising free donations when they shop online through Give as you Live. Use Twitter and Facebook to tell all your friends today.

Caring for our horses during the pandemic

Coronavirus has changed our lives beyond anything we thought possible. Thankfully our animals, for the most part, remain oblivious to everything going on around them. That’s how we want it to be, but for many who own or care for horses, routines have been affected and even life at the yard has been unable to go on as usual.

Depending on your yard situation, you may have had to turn your horses away for the foreseeable future, or you may be able to continue with their usual routine but on a buddy system with other liveries. Either way, this time of year presents lots of challenges with weight and grass management, which have now been made even trickier. Plus, as we all know, horses thrive on routine and some have had to endure sudden but inevitable changes.

So there is a lot to think about regarding our four legged friends – from managing farrier visits to coping with reduced exercise to getting hold of essential supplies. Among the reams of information out there, this checklist from Horse & Rider is a good place to start and will help make sure you’re on top of everything that still needs doing despite Covid-19.

Here at Remus we are now reliant on a small but dedicated group of yard staff and continue to give our residents the very best day to day care amidst more and more challenging circumstances. In the meantime we’re enjoying sharing pictures of the horses and ponies with you on our social media pages and if you are able to help support us in any way possible, you’ll find links below:

Please make a donation, even if its only to set up a monthly direct debit for £5 a month! remussanctuary.org/donate.
If you prefer you can donate food and bedding via our online shop www.remussanctuary.org/product-category/animal-treats.
Please share our posts on social media with your friends and family www.facebook.com/RemusHorseSanctuary, twitter.com/RemusHorse, www.instagram.com/remushorsesanctuary.

We and the animals thank you!

London Community Engagement Agency Supports Essex Horse Charity 2020-21

Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary – the horse rescue charity located at Buttsbury, near Ingatestone in Essex, is delighted to receive a £500 donation from London-based Skyline Comms Ltd, during this very difficult time. Despite the recent statement from the Government, there was no olive branch for animal charities and furloughing staff is not an option due to the wholly necessary care of the rescued animals.

Ms Burton said: “We need our staff to care for the 200 horses and donkeys at the Sanctuary and they still need paying and the animals still need feeding and caring for. No mention was made by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak about animal charities. We are disappointed that we have been overlooked as a sector.

“It is a relief that companies like Skyline Comms are stepping forward, recognising the important work that we do here and helping us to remain open without any prospect of fundraising or event activity.”

Skyline Comms take their CSR responsibility seriously. They aim to support smaller charities that ensure donations where made have the most impact. Whilst being a national company, a significant proportion of their activity is in the Eastern Region, so they tend to support charities in that geographic area. In this challenging time, they know that Remus Horse Sanctuary has been hit hard by not being able to hold open days and fundraising events – which is why Skyline Comms is stepping forward now.

Skyline Comms Ltd specialises in the community and political engagement on planning projects working with developers. This ranges from scientific commercial hubs to homes for the elderly to residential housing estate developments.

Managing Director James Hockney (pictured top left with his wife) said, “We are delighted to be supporting Remus Horse Sanctuary with this donation. Many charities have been hard hit – and especially smaller charities like Remus who rely on open days and fundraising events to cover their costs. When they are spending thousands of pounds a month just on medications – before you even consider feed, hay, staff, rent, repairs, utilities – we at Skyline Comms felt the need to step in and help right now.”

Ms Burton concluded, “I can hardly express how thankful I am to James Hockney and Skyline Comms as I am even more concerned for the long term future. Clearly we’re going to be in this state for some months, not weeks. Please do support Remus. Our animals rely on your support and need you now more than at any other time.”

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

We’re Still Here

Amidst this Coronavirus outbreak, we wanted to let you know we are doing all we can to care for the rescue animals as normal. But it’s not easy.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW THE SANCTUARY IS AFFECTED BY THE OUTBREAK HERE.

If you are able to support us, whether it be with a one-off donation or perhaps by setting up a monthly repeat direct debit, you really could make a vital difference. If you are a UK taxpayer, don’t forget to tick the Gift Aid box when prompted, which means we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate, at no cost to you.

Donate now >

If you’re unable to make a donation at this time we totally understand, and are so grateful for your support. If you are able to make a donation – thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.