Can you Help us Win a Share of £50,000?

Animal Friends Pet Insurance have £50,000 to share this Christmas and want to hear how they could suppawt Remus with some local love this winter. Whether it’s funding to cover the rising costs of energy bills, food, horse rugs and blankets, vet bills, or anything else, they want to help make a difference.

Nominations only take a couple of minutes and are open until 23:59 on 16 December 2023.

Please nominate Remus Horse Sanctuary and share this with your friends and family to spread the joy this festive season, together.

Once you have clicked on the nomination link you will need:

• Our web address: www.remussanctuary.org
• Our charity number: 1134951

Animal Friends recently donated £25,000 to The Tree Council, to support planting projects that provide habitats for thousands of species across the UK. They continue to work together with The Tree Council, to create a healthier, tree-filled future for us all. Helping Rhinos received £6,000 too, which went towards helping to care for orphans at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage. A further £5,000 was donated to DogsnHomes Rescue, in light of an animal welfare crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. Their donation has already helped DogsnHomes Rescue to send over 10,000kg of supplies to help abandoned animals.

Suppawt small. Believe big.

Nominate Remus Horse Sanctuary Now

Never Forget Finds his Forever Home

The winning bid for ‘Never Forget’ – the not so little elephant donated to Remus following the ‘Herd in the City’ initiative in Essex – raised an incredible £2,400 for the charity. He is now back near Southend at his new forever home.

The Herd in The City trail took place from 14 July to 4 September and consisted of 46 elephants and 72 baby elephants located around Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness. Each of the wonderfully decorated elephants had a meaning and significance and were part of a trail that people could follow.

‘Never Forget’ was gifted to Remus for fundraising in October 2023. Read Never Forget’s story on our website.

Giving Tuesday 28 November 2023

This year, Giving Tuesday takes place on Tuesday 28 November 2023.

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving, a day to do something for charities and – if we may be so bold – specifically for Remus Horse Sanctuary. You can give your time, give some money, donate something, buy something, or campaign for something. Giving Tuesday is one day to make a world of difference and all we’re asking is for you to do something!

If you haven’t already got your Giving Tuesday ‘something’ planned, here are 10 last minute ideas to help you make a difference! Don’t forget to share your ‘something’ on social media, use the #GivingTuesday hashtag and tag Remus Horse Sanctuary. You’ll find the links to all of our social media channels below.

1. Browse our wish lists. There’s always something we need here at Remus, whether it’s food for the animals, treats or medical supplies. Browse our wish list. ‘Tis the season – buy something for Remus.
2. Fundraise on our behalf. This year we have been celebrating our 40th anniversary. Have you signed up to our 40th Anniversary Challenge? All you have to do is fundraise £40 for us. If only 1000 people took part, we would raise a massive £40,000!
3. Write to your MP. Earlier this year we launched our #BornToDie campaign. Please write to your MP and ask for change. Please remember, always be polite and respectful. Find your local MP and just pop in your county or postcode, or the name of your MP if you know it. This will provide you with both an email and a postal address. It only takes a few minutes.
4. Give some money. Make a donation to Remus to help us through the winter months.
5. Charity Christmas cards. Buy your Christmas cards from our online charity shop this year, or donate the cost of the cards and postage instead. Remember to let all your friends and family know via text message if you’re not sending cards this year – you don’t want to disappoint Great Aunt Molly!
6. Sign up to Give as you Live. Give as you Live Online generates charitable giving from your everyday shopping and enables you to raise money every time you shop online – from groceries, fashion, gifts and holidays! And it won’t cost you a penny extra.
7. Volunteer. You may not be able to give your time regularly, but perhaps you can help out at the odd event, or perhaps micro-volunteering might be more your thing!
8. Give a charity gift this year as a present. Visit our online charity shop, we have lots of charity gifts to choose from, or why not surprise someone by sponsoring one of our animals as a truly unique gift.
9. Become a member. Your Membership is hugely important to the Sanctuary, the financial support is a major source of income for us and provides funds to enable us to continue to feed and care for the animals here. It also supports our welfare work in the wider horse community in Essex and beyond.
10. Talk about Giving Tuesday. Tell your family and friends about Giving Tuesday, challenge them to do something on the day. Together we can make a world of difference. #GivingTuesday

Share your something on social media with the hashtag #GivingTuesday and tag us in your posts:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/RemusHorseSanctuary
• Facebook: facebook.com/RemusHorseSanctuary
• X (formerly Twitter): @RemusHorse

Ten Ideas for Supporting Remus Horse Sanctuary this #GivingTuesday 2023

Remus Horse Sanctuary is thrilled to announce that once again it will be taking part in this year’s global day of giving, #GivingTuesday, taking place on Tuesday 28 November 2023.

This Giving Tuesday 2023, the charity has produced a list of ideas on how people can help them – whether it’s by giving time or money, donating or buying something, or campaigning for their #BornToDie initiative.

Giving Tuesday is one day to make a world of difference and all Sue Burton and her team are asking is for you to do something!

Below is their list of ideas:

1. Browse our wish lists. There’s always something we need here at Remus, whether it’s food for the animals, treats or medical supplies. Browse our wish list. ‘Tis the season – buy something for Remus.
2. Fundraise on our behalf. This year we have been celebrating our 40th anniversary. Have you signed up to our 40th Anniversary Challenge? All you have to do is fundraise £40 for us. If only 1000 of our 6000 Facebook Followers took part, we would raise a massive £40,000!
3. Write to your MP. Earlier this year we launched our #BornToDie campaign. Please write to your MP and ask for change: Find your local MP.
4. Give some money. Make a donation to Remus to help us through the winter months.
5. Charity Christmas cards. Buy your Christmas cards from our online charity shop this year, or donate the cost of the cards and postage instead.
6. Sign up to Give as you Live. Give as you Live Online generates charitable giving from your everyday shopping and enables you to raise money every time you shop online – from groceries, fashion, gifts and holidays!
7. Volunteer. You may not be able to give your time regularly, but perhaps you can help out at the odd event, or perhaps micro-volunteering might be more your thing!
8. Give a charity gift this year as a present. Visit our online charity shop, we have lots of charity gifts to choose from, or why not surprise someone by sponsoring one of our animals as a truly unique gift.
9. Become a member. Your Membership is hugely important to the Sanctuary, the financial support is a major source of income for us and provides funds to enable us to continue to feed and care for the animals here. It also supports our welfare work in the wider horse community in Essex and beyond.
10. Talk about Giving Tuesday. Tell your family and friends about Giving Tuesday, challenge them to do something on the day. Together we can make a world of difference. #GivingTuesday

The Giving Tuesday campaign began in America in 2012 as a way to give back after the well-known shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The campaign is coordinated in the UK by the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

Sue Burton, founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary said: “If you haven’t already got your Giving Tuesday ‘something’ planned, here are ten ideas to help you make a difference!

“Don’t forget to share your ‘something’ on social media, use the #GivingTuesday hashtag and please tag Remus Horse Sanctuary too.”

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

Born To Die – We Need Your Help

As you’ll know, Remus Horse Sanctuary provides rehabilitation and lifetime care for over 200 horses, ponies, donkeys, sheep, goats and cats near Ingatestone in Essex, and we are celebrating our 40th anniversary in 2023.

Over the past 40 years, we have rescued and rehabilitated hundreds of emaciated, terrified, beaten, and, in two cases, deliberately blinded animals – these two were both mares in foal.

The animals in our care are now able to live and enjoy a normal happy life free from suffering, hunger and fear.

So what do we need your help with? Well you may have seen details of our #BornToDie campaign which we launched earlier this year. Although we are calling on the government for change, you too can help support us in the following simple ways:

1. Contact your MP to press for change. We urge you to write your own message, as this will see the best response. However, you can copy the information from our web page if that’s helpful. View our ‘BornToDie’ campaign page. Please remember, always be respectful and polite in your emails. The link to find your local MP is https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP just pop in your county or postcode, or the name of your MP if you know it. This will provide you with both an email and a postal address.
2. Make a donation today. Help us fund our work both at the Sanctuary and for this campaign. You can donate online or of course telephone the office to make a donation over the telephone. And, of course, we accept cheques too!
3. Improve your CSR. Please get in touch if you are able to support us as a corporate partner and improve your corporate social responsibility (CSR).
4. Get involved. Please take part in our 40th Anniversary Challenge. We have estimated that if only 1000 people raised only £40 each, you could fundraise a massive £40,000 for us!
5. Share our news. Share the details of our campaign on social media, and tag us in your posts using the hashtag #BornToDie

We provide a safe environment for those animals that have been victims of physical and mental abuse, whether because of ignorance or malicious intent.

Sue Burton co-founded the Sanctuary in 1983 following the plight of the horses on Rainham Marshes in Rainham, Essex, where over 100 horses were left on the bleak marshland. As the water inlets flooded, they became cut off resulting in 13 horses dying in the most awful conditions.

You might also like to visit our Christmas Shop.

Our Christmas Shop is Now Open

A gift for your friends and family doesn’t need to cost the earth and as the cost of living continues to be a challenge, we hope our selection below will help with your decision making and gift buying.

100% of the profits from our online shop go directly to help the rescue animals here at Remus and across the South East. Despite being based in Essex, we continue to help rescue animals across a wide area and even as far as Wales!

2024 Wall Calendar
£6.99

Visit Christmas Shop

Shop Now

Think Positive

When you love riding, it’s hard when things aren’t going so well. The exercise and social aspect of riding – as well as the bond with your horse – can be a real boost to your mental wellbeing.

But when things go wrong – whether your competition scores are not what you’d hoped, your horse is out of action, or you’re frustrated by some other aspect of horse ownership or riding – there are ways to deal with it.

Create a Plan

If you are feeling negative, try to have a clear plan about something positive you can do. If you can’t get out on your horse, go for a walk, or perhaps give your tack room a clearout. As long as you end up with a positive outcome, this will help.

And stick to a routine – if you always go to your horse at a certain time, stick to that, even if you can’t get them ready to ride. The brain responds positively to the consistency.

Positive thinking can help too – at the end of each day, reflect back on any wins or successes – however small. Ending your day with a positive thought will set you up better for the following morning.

Start Small

You can also set small daily goals – it’s hard when things are out of your control (such as when your horse is injured and you just have to wait for him or her to get better) – but by concentrating on the things you can control, your mindset will be improved.

This is so important for us here at Remus – when we have sick or injured horses brought in, it would be easy to feel negative, but we have to look for the small positives every day, so that we can feel optimistic about the future.

This excellent article by sports psychologist Charlie Unwin offers more techniques to help you…

Autumn Update

Well it was certainly a busy summer, and blighted by rain! The Sanctuary flooded so many times, including the buildings because the drains were just unable to cope with the sheer amount of water. The first week of September certainly dried things up a bit – though it was a little too warm for the animals really. They will be much happier now it has cooled down a little.

We have, of course, been busy dealing with horse welfare, horses and ponies, across the area that needed our help plus the usual issues which involve caring for so many older and sick animals and a lot of nursing work.

Sadly, we lost two out of our four Open Days and one Afternoon Tea due to the bad weather, which plays havoc with our fundraising, especially as we are rattling at an unhealthy speed towards Winter! However, our September Open Day and Dog Show was a great success as was our October Open Day when we also celebrated World Animal Day.

40th Anniversary

We were delighted to receive a visit from HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh during the summer to mark our 40th birthday. We are very lucky and proud to have her as a Patron. It was lovely that despite her increased workload now, she was able to spare some time out of her busy schedule with us and the Remus animals. Pictured with the Duchess is Dolly, and Heidi and Jakey.

If you’ve not already signed up to our 40th Anniversary Challenge, please do so. Its extremely easy, just create a fundraising page – it’s all automated – and ask your friends and family to donate.

If only a 1000 people met a target of just £40 each, we would raise £40,000 to assist our #BornToDie campaign and celebrate our anniversary! You could make a real difference to our future.

Born To Die

We also used the opportunity of the Duchess’ visit to launch our #BornToDie campaign.

Far too often we see horses born that we know have just been ‘Born to Die’. We spoke to the Police recently about a horse that was roaming loose that we rescued. The response was to report it online as lost property! When we answered the required questions that it wasn’t worth a lot of money, nor was it hazardous in that it wasn’t carrying a gun, nor was there any serial number on it to identify it, the advice was ‘we can’t help so just dispose of it’.

How can this be right? We see instances time and again where these animals are left to suffer or worse because no one wants to get involved.

Legal Enforcement

No horse, pony, donkey or mule should be subjected to the shocking conditions that we see on a regular basis. The Animal Welfare Act and a raft of other legislation and guidelines should ensure that all equines, and other kept animals, are protected.

But the protection of these beautiful animals, animals who have stood with humans for centuries – from farming to war, from friendship to servitude – falls to charities often stretched for resources.

Sanctuaries across the UK collectively know that over 7,000 horses are at risk of neglect – and those are just the ones on our radar.

Too often, members of the public have no information on how to act. And this is, in part, because there is no clear answer. If you see a neglected horse today, who do you call? Local authorities can choose to appoint inspectors, but don’t have to, many signpost to charities, including every local authority website in Essex that we researched.

Different levels of authority, ie, County Councils versus Borough Councils, have different responsibilities. The Police – who must be relied upon to enter property or confiscate animals – will often not investigate, telling us they too signpost the public to the RSPCA, who have no statutory powers, and are also overstretched!

At the start of this year, we asked two Police forces in our area through ‘Freedom of Information’ for data on equine neglect crimes – one told us that they didn’t collect that information and the public are asked to contact the RSPCA if they are aware of crimes against animals, and the other failed to respond.

So, we have animal welfare laws, covering horses and equines, but the enforcement of these laws is down to a patchwork of organisations, with differing levels of authority and responsibility. And what good is a law that isn’t enforced?

This is why we are calling for greater enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act in relation to equine welfare – saving horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. We will bring you more information in due course!

Between us we can, and we will, end this needless ongoing suffering. Please click on the link to make a donation to Remus Horse Sanctuary.

Celebrate World Animal Day with Remus

Join the animals, staff and volunteers for our last Open Day of the 2023 season and celebrate World Animal Day with us on Sunday 1 October from 1pm to 4pm. Disney’s character Mickey Mouse, will also be visiting during the afternoon!

World Animal Day, officially 4 October, has become a global celebration for all animals and the people who love and respect them.  It’s known on every continent and celebrated in different ways in many countries, with no regard to nationality, religion or political ideology.

This year’s theme is ‘Great or Small, Love them All’, which we think is pretty perfect!

Founder of the Sanctuary, Sue Burton, says: “Here at Remus Horse Sanctuary we are proud to celebrate and support this global movement to raise the status of animals everywhere at our Open Day.

“World Animal Day makes a vital difference all over the world and It’s obviously close to our hearts here at the Sanctuary.”

Visitors are welcome at the Sanctuary from 1pm to 4pm and can enjoy meeting the 200+ animals and learn more about what the charity does. There will also be a variety of activities for the whole family, such as up close magic, facepainting, music, and many stalls to browse. Parking is available on-site, with disabled access, and dogs are of course welcome on a lead. Refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon. Entry is just £6 for adults and £4 for children. 

Find out more and buy your tickets in advance at: www.remussanctuary.org/events/open-day-sanctuary-october.

The Sanctuary provides rehabilitation and care for around 200 animals, including horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep and cats, and has been doing so since it was founded in 1983.

If you’re unable to join us on Sunday but would still like to make a donation, you can do so online via our website. Alternatively feel free to give us a call on 01277 356191 to make a donation over the telephone, or post us a cheque to: Remus Horse Sanctuary, Little Farm, Buttsbury, Near Ingatestone, Essex CM4 9NZ.

#BornToDie Campaign Calls for Greater Enforcement of Animal Welfare Act

Sue Burton, founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, has launched her #BornToDie campaign whilst commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the charity earlier this summer. Ms Burton is calling for greater enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act in relation to equine welfare – saving horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

Across the UK horses are being let down by those who fail to give the care that horses, ponies and other equines should be able to rely on as a very basic right. Mares are still being forced to breed every year, many on a tethering chain with their foals being born to a life they wouldn’t choose, and as Remus sees so often literally being Born to Die. 

Ms Burton said, “We do have a whole raft of laws, but the problem lies with the enforcement. If the laws were enforced, then we would not have the ongoing welfare issues that we see so regularly.”

In December 2020, the Charity Times reported: “There are more than 7,000 horses currently known to animal welfare charities at risk of neglect or being abandoned. Currently charities take on more than 2,000 horse welfare cases a year.” 

The police – who must be relied upon to enter property or confiscate animals, will often not investigate, telling Ms Burton that they “signpost the public to the RSPCA” – who have no statutory powers, and are already overstretched.

At the start of this year, Ms Burton asked two police forces either side of the Dartford Tunnel for data on equine neglect crimes; one said they didn’t collect that information and advised the public are asked to contact the RSPCA if they are aware of crimes against animals, and the other did not respond.

Improving the Effectiveness of Animal Welfare Enforcement by APGAW (All Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare) confirmed that there is a huge level of inconsistency with some forces seeing the value of having officers dealing with animal welfare and recognising it can be connected to other types of crime and others not seeing any value. Furthermore, equines fall in between both companion and livestock legislation.   

Local authorities can choose to appoint inspectors, but don’t have to – again many signposting to charities, including every local authority website that Ms Burton and her team researched in Essex. Different levels of authority have different responsibilities. For example, where a borough council is accountable for fly-grazing, a county council is responsible for the welfare of horses being transported. 

At the 40th Anniversary luncheon held at Ingatestone Hall in Essex, attended by the charity’s Patrons, dignitaries and trustees, Ms Burton shared, “I have witnessed so many awful sights that I can never unsee. I have cried a lake of tears. I never fail to be stunned at how much suffering these stoic animals take, at how awful mankind can be to such noble innocent animals and how so many in authority ignore their plight due to deficiencies in our legal system.

“I am so proud of what Remus has achieved over the past 40 years and the animals who have come through our gates that we have been able to turn round – from emaciated, terrified, beaten, and in two cases deliberately blinded wrecks, to animals now able to live and enjoy a normal happy life free from suffering, hunger and fear. 

“But what good is a law that isn’t enforced? Deficiencies in our legal system should not be the reason thousands of these noble innocent animals suffer each and every year.”

Ms Burton is calling for the following:

1. a named post within every County Council and unitary Authority, responsible for enforcement action across the full range of equine cruelty, working with lower tier authorities, the police and charities.
2. a national education programme, promoted across communities who are traditionally less likely to understand the importance of equine care, cascaded to support workers facilitating conversations with such communities.
3. publication by each local authority of information relating to equine welfare cases, including the number of reports, attendances, investigations and prosecutions, and details of whether referrals have come through charities or members of the public.

Attendees at the luncheon included HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO, Royal Patron to the charity since 2013, two more of the charity’s patrons: Lord Petre and his son The Hon. Dominic Petre, and Andrew Rosindell MP for Romford; Mr Vincent Thompson, His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant; Mr Charles Bishop, High Sheriff of Essex; Councillor Jill Reeves, Chair of Essex County Council; Councillor Linda Mascot, Mayor of Chelmsford City Council; Mr Nick Eveleigh, the Chief Executive of Chelmsford City Council, and Mr Andy Mariner, Assistant Chief Constable of Essex Police. Along with the charity’s trustees, supporters, suppliers and vets. 

Of the new #BornToDie campaign, Conservative MP for Romford Mr Andrew Rosindell commented: “The government needs to step up. I’m very committed as a former shadow minister for animal welfare to continue to raise these issues in parliament and to lobby the government to change the culture of animal welfare in this country and I’m committed to working with Remus to ensure that happens.”

Ms Burton concluded, “The Animal Welfare Act should ensure that all equines, and other kept animals, are protected.

“But the protection of these beautiful animals, who have stood with humans for centuries – from farming to war, from friendship to servitude – falls to charities often stretched for resources. Too often, members of the public have no information on how to act. 

“Please, support our #BornToDie campaign for greater enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act in relation to equine welfare.” 

For further information, visit www.remussanctuary.org/borntodie or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191 if you can help promote or add value to the campaign.

Remus will be hosting its final Open Day of the season on Sunday 1 October, in celebration of World Animal Day, for those wishing to visit the Sanctuary.

Luncheon images by Christopher Rushton.