Time to Turn Out
What a long, hard winter it has been. Even over Easter it was miserable and, although every one of our horses here at Remus gets the very best individual care and attention, you can tell even they were starting to wonder who had stolen the sunshine! Wet, muddy paddocks have been an issue for all and such testing conditions can throw up all sorts of unwanted ailments from mud fever to respiratory problems if turnout has been limited.
Here at Remus we’re lucky enough to have large shavings paddocks for our horses to enjoy. They’re perfect for the wetter weather and essential to keep our older residents moving to prevent stiffness. Whatever your facilities, the decision to leave horses out or bring them in is rarely without compromise. This recent article from Horse & Hound sums up nicely the pros and cons from veterinary and welfare professionals, as well as owners.
35th Anniversary
Can you help the Sanctuary this year on our 35th birthday?
- Perhaps you could help run a stall at our events, put up a poster in your local shop or vets, can you ask your local shop if they will take one of our collection tins?
- Perhaps you could help Carrie with her talks raising awareness of what we do at the charity throughout the year?
- Or could you volunteer for a few hours here at the farm?
- Can you help keep an eye on horses near you to check they are being fed and watered?
- Could you rattle some tins on your local High Street?
- Can you organise a fundraising event for Remus?
- What about giving a friend the gift of membership for their birthday or sponsoring an animal to give to a loved one as a gift?
There are lots of ways that you can help Remus and we try and make it as easy as possible, with ideas like those above and also lots of useful information here on our website. Click on any of the links above to learn more or, of course, do pick up the phone!
Our founder, Sue Burton, says, “As you’ll know by now, 2018 is Remus’ 35th birthday and some of our members have been with us since day one which I think is amazing! It never fails to surprise me just how wonderful our friends and supporters are.
“Thank you all for all that you do for Remus in whatever way you do.”
Raise FREE Funds for us this Easter!
Did you know that you can raise free funds for Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary when you shop for Easter goodies via Give as you Live?
This Easter, whether you’re buying sweet treats for the kids, food for a seasonal feast, or a special gift for someone, please shop via Give as you Live and raise money for us, at no extra cost to you.
Treat the ones you love this Easter!
Latest news and events for 2018
You’ll be pleased to hear that our website is now fully up to date with our events for 2018. Click here to find out more about our events, including our Spring Sales, Quiz Night and Ladies’ Fashion Show and our Kids Pony Days return for the Easter holidays. Click here to download and print a pdf of all dates.
Life at the Sanctuary is not getting any easier, so we try to make it as simple as possible for you to help us here at the Charity, from supporting our events, to donating clothing and bric-a-brac, to volunteering. Click on any of the highlighted links below and you’ll be directed to the appropriate page on our website.
Food & Donations
It’s that time of year when donations go down but our costs rise as we need more bedding, food and forage on site and need to try to get forage and water out to as many horses left tethered on the sides of the road as we can. Can you help us with a donation or food?
Also at this time of year we use more money on pain relief for the old horses and ponies who have arthritis and joint issues and rugs for all the horses, especially in the severe cold spells like we’ve recently experienced, so it really is a very costly time for us.
These efforts can mean the difference between life and death, so thank you for any help that you may be able to offer!
Afternoon Teas & Open Days
Looking ahead to the warmer weather, both of these events are very good for Remus from a promotional and a fundraising perspective but we are desperate for people to join our Afternoon Tea Team and our Open Day Teams.
There are seven Afternoon Teas planned for this year and six Open Days. If you can help at either, or would like more information to help promote these events, please do call or email the Sanctuary.
We really do need more help to both continue these events and to make them successful. Find out more about volunteering here.
Recycling
Do you have any unwanted presents – Christmas or Birthday – that you no longer want or require or any good quality bric-a-brac? If so we would love to have them at the Sanctuary to help raise funds for the horses.
Don’t forget we can turn your used stamps, old coins, foreign currency, old phones, old clothes, printer cartridges, any World War memorabilia, and books into cash for the animals!
For details of all of the ways you can help Remus with your recycling, and more, please click here and do remember to encourage your friends and family for us too!
Raise FREE Funds for us this Mothers Day
Did you know that you can raise free funds for Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary when you shop for Mother’s Day gifts via Give as you Live?
This Mother’s Day, whether you’re buying flowers, fragrances, chocolates or jewellery, please shop via Give as you Live and raise money for us, at no extra cost to you.
Treat mum for less this Mother’s Day!
Raise free funds for us when you do your weekly grocery shop
Did you know you can now raise free funds for us when you pop out to buy your groceries?
Raise up to 8% in free donations every time you buy or top up one of the convenient Give as you Live in-store cards.
With a range of supermarkets to choose from, we’ll receive donations each time you top up your store card, at no extra cost!
Spread the word! Use Twitter and Facebook to tell all your friends today.
Health Problems: a third of horses in UK affected
We all know that keeping horses can be a costly pastime, and the results from a recent study show that owners should do everything they can to ensure their animals stay in good health.
According to the 2017 National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) more than a third of horses have experienced at least one health problem over the past year.
The most common issues are skin conditions and lameness. More than a quarter of the horses with back problems have exhibited signs of lameness, and the most common skin issues are sweet itch and mud fever.
As always, prevention is better than cure, and Remus Horse Sanctuary suggests that owners can stay on top of health problems by ensuring their animals have a horse health MOT with a vet at least annually and that vaccinations are kept up to date.
Look our for our workshops in 2018!
More useful tips for keeping your horse healthy, along with more results from the survey can be found at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/skin-disease-lameness-top-uk-horses-health-issues-633590.
Horse Charity Needs Your Help on #GivingTuesday
Remus Horse Sanctuary is asking animal lovers everywhere to help with a little fundraising on Tuesday 28 November – #GivingTuesday – a date which is all about supporting and celebrating Britain’s charities.
We are looking for people who could help with street collecting in either Brentwood or Ingatestone on Tuesday 28 November for an hour or so for #GivingTuesday. Anyone interested should contact promotions@remussanctuary.org directly.
“We promote lots of ideas on our Facebook page”, says Sue Burton, Founder of the Sanctuary, “we’re encouraging people to organise their own fundraising events – as well as helping us with street collections – such as: a ‘dress down day’ or a sponsored colouring competition at school and a bake sale or sponsored ‘walk to work’ day for companies. Other people are organising a sponsored knit which sounds great fun!”
There are currently over 7,000 horses at risk in this country and the welfare crisis continues to escalate year on year with little or no progress. Without the Sanctuary’s help, many animals will die a slow, painful and unnecessary death. Sue says, “We know that we can save horses’ lives this winter by getting food and water out to them quickly, but we need the public’s support to help us, to help them!”
#GivingTuesday coincides with the Charity’s new winter feed appeal for 2017 to help raise £2,500 to feed not only the veterans and permanent residents at the Sanctuary, but those neglected, unloved and abandoned animals that are either tethered by their necks on waste ground or just left wandering and unwanted with no food, no water and no shelter.
The news regularly features victims of physical and mental abuse and the Charity continue to receive calls daily. Keeping an animal fed over winter will give it a chance to thrive into Spring and forage also helps a horse keep warm.
Additionally donations can be made to the Sanctuary via the JustGiving appeal page online at: www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/rmhs/winterfeedappeal2017, via the Charity website at: www.remussanctuary.org/donate/ or by texting FEED36 £10 to 70070 to donate to Remus with JustTextGiving*.
Visitors to the Charity’s online shop at: www.remussanctuary.org/product-category/animal-treats can also buy a bale of hay, bag of animal food, straw bedding and plenty more. A week’s supply of food and hay for a tethered horse will help improve their life and wellbeing for just £25 and help get them through the winter months.
Sue Burton, Founder, says: “We experienced a break-in at the Sanctuary earlier this month and we hate asking for yet more help. But it’s a fact that without the public’s support, hundreds of horses will die this winter. Every donation, no matter how large or small will be of huge benefit to those starving animals that no-one cares for.
“I’m really hoping that #GivingTuesday will give our campaign a real boost.”
For further information, visit www.remussanctuary.org or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.
*Text donations can only be for £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10. However, a donor can donate up to three times per day. £10 is the maximum donation amount for all mobile operators.
Vandals Break in to Remus Horse Sanctuary
Between the hours of 9.30pm on Monday 6 November and 6.30am on Tuesday 7 November, vandals broke in to the premises of Remus Horse Sanctuary at Little Farm, Buttsbury, near Ingatestone stealing over £1000 in cash and creating significant damage to the charity’s offices and equipment, which will require thousands of pounds to repair and rebuild.
The thieves gained access to the farm and offices by breaking padlocks and breaking down security gates and smashing doors and cupboards in order to ransack the offices and steal the cash. An attempt was also made to steal the ATV (all-terrain vehicle) although it was left abandoned half way down the fields.
The police were called immediately the break-in was detected and have confirmed that the thieves managed to avoid the CCTV cameras and wore gloves. Anyone with knowledge or information of the break-in or the people involved should contact the Police quoting Crime Reference Number 42/158124/17.
Sue Burton, founder of the Sanctuary commented, “Its been a hard day today [Tuesday] trying to come to terms with the reality of the break-in and the financial implications to us when we are already strapped for cash and going into the hard winter months.
“A large amount of cash was taken as well as causing a significant amount of damage to property which is going to cost thousands of pounds to replace. We will also have to look at increasing security on site which will have a cost too.
“The mission of the Sanctuary is to rescue neglected or abused animals and be able to keep them safe for the rest of their lives and the thought that someone may threaten this is horrendous. We’re very lucky that all of the animals were left untouched and unharmed, and I feel so relieved that they are all safe.”
Sue is keen to thank those who have sent messages of support and would like to hear from anyone who can help with repairs and security or fundraising on tel: 01277 356191. Donations can be made online or by cheque made out to Remus Horse Sanctuary, Little Farm, Buttsbury, near Ingatestone, Essex CM4 9NZ. We have also set up an appeal on our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/RemusHorseSanctuary.
Raise free funds for us this Christmas
Did you know that you can raise free funds for Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary when you shop online for Christmas goodies via Give as you Live?
This Christmas, whether you’re buying the perfect present, festive food or dazzling decorations, please shop via Give as you Live and raise money for us, at no extra cost to you.
Enjoy the magic of giving this Christmas!
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.
Other Appeal
