Special Guest Minnie Mouse to Visit Horse Welfare Charity

Visitors attending the Remus Horse Sanctuary Open Day on Sunday 4 August will be able to meet special guest Minnie Mouse! The horse welfare charity will be open from 1pm to 4pm for visitors to meet Minnie and all of the rescue animals to learn more about the Sanctuary.

The Open Days take place at Little Farm, Buttsbury, near Ingatestone and are always fun and interesting for the whole family, with a children’s entertainer, facepainting, live music and sing-a-long entertainment, delicious refreshments, lots of stalls, a tombola and a raffle.

The Open Days are a vital source of fundraising for the charity which, due to its location on greenbelt land, can only open to the public for a limited number of days each year.

Admission will be charged at just £7 per adult and £5 for children. On-site parking is free, with disabled access. Cream Teas can also be booked in advance for £15 per person, including entry. Dogs are welcome on a lead.

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.

Founder, Sue Burton, said: “We love opening our gates during the summer months. Sadly we’ve already lost two dates due to bad weather, so fingers crossed for August.

“The Open Days provide a great opportunity for us to share the vital work that we do here in terms of both rescue and rehabilitation.”

To book tickets for the Open Day, including the Cream Teas, visit the charity’s website at: www.remussanctuary.org/events/open-day-at-the-sanctuary-august.

Further information is available on the website at www.remussanctuary.org and the charity’s Facebook page or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.

Adding a Codicil to Your Will: A Simple Guide to Leaving a Gift for Remus Horse Sanctuary

If you have already created a Will and want to make changes or additions, you can do so by adding a codicil. A codicil is a legal document that supplements your Last Will and Testament, allowing you to make adjustments without rewriting the entire Will. By using a codicil, you can leave a gift to Remus Horse Sanctuary, supporting our valuable work with horses in need.

Types of Gifts You Can Leave

There are several types of gifts you can leave to Remus Horse Sanctuary through a codicil:

A Specific Sum of Money: You can designate a particular amount of money to be given to the Sanctuary.
Specific Items: If you have valuable items such as jewellery, artwork, or other possessions, you can specify these to be given to the Sanctuary, which we could sell or auction.
Residuary of Your Estate: This is what remains of your estate after all other costs and specific bequests have been deducted.

How to Add a Codicil

There are two main ways to add a codicil to your Will:

Using a Solicitor: A solicitor can professionally draft a codicil for you, ensuring all legal requirements are met. Be aware that solicitors will charge a fee for this service.
DIY Template: You can complete a codicil yourself using a template. This method is cost-effective, but it is crucial to follow legal guidelines meticulously. The essential part is signing the codicil correctly and having it witnessed appropriately. This downloadable template will provide detailed instructions on how to do this.

Important Considerations

When drafting your codicil, whether through a solicitor or using a template, ensure the following:

Clarity: Clearly state the specifics of the gift you are leaving to Remus Horse Sanctuary.
Signatures: Your codicil must be signed in the presence of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries of your Will or the codicil.
Witnesses: Ensure your witnesses understand their role and are present during the signing.

Supporting Remus Horse Sanctuary

Leaving a gift to Remus Horse Sanctuary in your Will is a meaningful way to support our mission of providing lifetime care and shelter to horses in need. Your generosity can make a significant impact on the lives of these animals and help the Sanctuary continue its important work.

By following these steps to add a codicil, you can ensure your wishes are honoured and make a lasting contribution to a cause you care about.

For more information or to download the codicil template, visit Wills & Legacies on our website.

By including these elements in your codicil, you can make a positive difference and support a cause that is close to your heart.

Together we can bring an end to horse cruelty and ensure that no animal is born to die.

At Remus Horse Sanctuary in Essex, we work tirelessly to care for animals and raise awareness of animal welfare and we can only do it with your generous help and support.

Remus Horse Sanctuary is funded totally by public donations and our own fundraising and event activities.

Thank you for your support.

Save the Date: World Animal Day 2024

As you’ll know, World Animal Day takes place on 4 October, and we like to mark and celebrate the day at our October Open Day – which this year takes place on Sunday 6 October (weather permitting!).

This year’s theme for World Animal Day is: ‘The world is their home too’ which we wholly support. Sadly there are far too many people in the UK and around the world who forget this! At Remus we work tirelessly to care for animals and raise awareness of animal welfare to ensure that no animal is born to die. However, we can only do this with your generous help and support. We would love to see you at our Open Day – you can purchase tickets online now – and there are lots of other ways to get involved. For instance, get creative with the World Animal Day Mug Competition, plan your own event or just share the love on social media. The World Animal Day website has lots of resources on its website to help get you started.

World Animal Day is a day for animal lovers worldwide. It exists to raise the status of animals everywhere and to improve the standards of their welfare around the globe. 4 October is a chance to take action against animal cruelty, neglect and unfair treatment and aims to make the world a better place for all animals.

The idea for World Animal Day came from Heinrich Zimmermann, a writer and publisher of a German magazine called Mensch und Hund (Man and Dog). He organised the first World Animal Day celebration on 24 March 1925 and over 5,000 people. Since then, thousands of passionate animal lovers and advocates have taken part in the World Animal Day celebrations.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 6 October, if not before, when we’ll be marking and celebrating World Animal Day. For other dates when you can visit the Sanctuary over the summer months, please view the Remus Events pages.

People’s Fundraising Platform Launch New Features

The fundraising platform called ‘People’s Fundraising’ has revealed a number of new features to help you plan and host your fundraising activities for Remus Horse Sanctuary. The new tools are all designed to help simplify the fundraising process and to help you achieve your goals.

The Fundraising Hub is your new launch page. It presents the different fundraising options available, the current fundraisers created by yourselves and other supporters, and your contact links.

The website link for you to visit and bookmark is: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/hub/remus-horse-sanctuary.

In addition to People’s Fundraising, Remus Horse Sanctuary utilise a number of different fundraising platforms, so you can choose the one that works best for you, including:

JustGiving
Give as you Live
easyfundraising
PayPal
and Enthuse as our main donor partner

Together we can bring an end to horse cruelty and ensure that no animal is born to die.

At Remus Horse Sanctuary in Essex, we work tirelessly to care for animals and raise awareness of animal welfare and we can only do it with your generous help and support.

Remus Horse Sanctuary is funded totally by public donations and our own fundraising and event activities.

Thank you for your support.

Say No to 180km of Essex Suffolk Norfolk Pylons

Are you aware of the proposals for power lines and pylons over 180km of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex’s beautiful and historic countryside between Norwich and Tilbury? Find out more at the 38Degrees website.

Here at Remus Horse Sanctuary we are growing increasingly concerned by this proposal as the 50 metre high pylons will sit just the other side of our fence line.

There will be haulage roads put in for a huge amount of lorries and machinery, all coming and going on a daily basis and everything in their way, whether it be trees, hedges, wildlife and animal homes will all be destroyed. Can you imagine the amount of upheaval, noise and destruction in its wake?

It’s even possible that they could force us to move our animals to livery yards whilst this work is carried out.

There is just no way we could move our animals anywhere else – this is their home and, for the most part, the only place that they have ever known where they are safe from harm. The blind girls Holly and Grace cannot be moved, for obvious reasons.

Most livery yards would just not have our specific facilities to meet our unique needs. Let alone the number of different livery yards which would be required to house over 70 horses! Livery space is already like gold dust in the South East as it’s so densely populated, plus presumably other horses would also need to be moved along the route. There’s also all of our other animals to consider.

This will be a huge welfare issue if this is allowed to happen.

Annoyingly It is possible for this to go off-shore but this option is being ignored.

Development of our beautiful countryside continues at such an alarming rate, and now to further destroy it like this is beyond belief. This route will come from Norwich through to Tilbury. National Grid is made up of many shareholders from other countries and foreign interests, who have little or no concern for ripping up and destroying our beautiful English countryside.

Please, if you care, not just about Remus but the beautiful countryside of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, please sign the petition and share with your friends, family and colleagues.

Sign the Petition

Novelty Dog Show and Fun Day Out for the Family in Essex

Remus Horse Sanctuary will be opening its gates on Sunday 7 July to welcome members of the public for its Novelty Dog Show and Family Fun Day taking place from 1pm to 4pm. The Dog Show will commence at 1.30pm with bookings being taken from 1pm.

Open Days at the Sanctuary at Little Farm, Buttsbury, near Ingatestone, offer free parking on-site, with disabled access. Admission is charged at just £7 per adult and £5 for children. Cream Teas can be booked in advance for £15 per person, including entry. All dogs are welcome on a lead.

The popular novelty Dog Show includes fun classes such as: Bad Hair Day and Best Sausage Catcher, along with the more meaningful: Dogs with a Disability (for example blind, deaf or with a life-changing illness) and of course, the ever-popular Best in Show. The 1st – 6th winners will each receive a rosette and class entry is £2 per class.

The events at the Sanctuary are always fun and interesting for the whole family, with a children’s entertainer, live music and sing-a-long entertainment, delicious refreshments, lots of stalls, a tombola and a raffle.

The Open Days are a vital source of fundraising for the charity which, due to its location on greenbelt land, can only open to the public for a limited number of days each year.

Sue Burton, founder of the Sanctuary says, “Our novelty dog shows offer a new dimension to our Open Days and we always look forward to inviting visitors to come and visit the Sanctuary and learn more about what we do here.

“Young and old always have such a great time. They get to meet some of our amazing animals and we give them an insight into the valuable work that we do in a fun way.”

To book tickets for the Open Day and Dog Show, visit the charity’s website at: www.remussanctuary.org/events/open-day-at-the-sanctuary-july

For anyone wishing to sponsor a dog class at the event, especially local businesses, please email: fundraising@remussanctuary.org. Further information is available on the website at www.remussanctuary.org and the charity’s Facebook page or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.

Sue Burton Founder of Essex Horse Charity Awarded BEM in HM The King’s Birthday Honours List 2024

Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary in Essex, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of the British Empire for her services to equine welfare. His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 recognises selfless and innovative service to others from people across the UK.

Sue 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.

“There are two main reasons why I formed the Sanctuary”, said Sue.

“Firstly, I cared passionately about animals and the way they suffered at the hands of humans.

“And secondly, I have always had a great belief in wrong and right and total respect for all living creatures – be they animals or humans. I could not believe that in this country we could stand by and watch an animal suffer and die needlessly and that we would not all move mountains to ensure it never happened again.”

Sue continues to work tirelessly for the animals at Remus, for animal rescue and in raising awareness of the horse welfare crisis in this country.

Today, the Sanctuary provides rehabilitation and lifetime care for over 200 horses, ponies, donkeys, sheep, goats and cats. It is a safe environment for these animals who have been victims of physical and mental abuse, whether because of ignorance or malicious intent.

Over 7,000 horses continue to be at risk in the UK and, in 2023, Sue launched her #BornToDie campaign, calling for greater enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act in relation to equine welfare – saving horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

Further information on the #BornToDie campaign can be found on the charity’s website at: www.remussanctuary.org/borntodie.

Of her BEM award, Sue said: “I am very proud and honoured to be selected but have always loved the work I do and have been honoured to care for so many wonderful creatures who have taught me so much.

“Of course though, none of that would be possible without the help and support of all our lovely members and supporters, staff and volunteers over the years.”

Image: Sue Burton features with blind mares Holly, left and Grace right. Their stories can be found at: www.remussanctuary.org/what-we-do/animals-we-have-rescued/hollys-story and www.remussanctuary.org/what-we-do/animals-we-have-rescued/graces-story respectively.

The Sanctuary is only open on selected dates and the next event will be an Open Day with novelty dog show taking place on Sunday 7 July 2024. Details at: www.remussanctuary.org/events/open-day-at-the-sanctuary-july.

Is Your Horse Happy?

We all love our animals and want our horses to be happy – here’s five signs that can tell you if they really are!

Unfortunately when some animals come to us here at Remus Horse Sanctuary, we can see right away that they are anything but. We work tirelessly to turn things around and make sure all our residents are as content as they can be. You’ll find many stories on our website of the animals we have helped.

So how can you tell if a horse is happy?

Here are five signs to look out for…

Body language
Watch how they behave in the field, in the stable and when you are riding. They can’t talk to us, but their body language will tell you a lot – especially if there is a marked change.
Nostrils
You can tell a lot from a horse’s nose! Unhappy nostrils are tight, thin and drawn, while a happy horse will have round, soft and relaxed nostrils.
Tail
It should hang straight, and should be quite loose, swinging freely as they move.
Mutual grooming
Do you see your horse in the field with others? If they are grooming each other, it shows they are relaxed and happy, and bonding with their ‘friends’.
A tidy bed
Happy horses keep their bedding in one place, while stressed animals might box walk or pace around their stall, kicking up their bedding.

For more details on how to tell if your horse is happy head to: www.yourhorse.co.uk/horse-care/horse-behaviour/13-signs-your-horse-is-happy.

Upcoming Events

Sponsors Day: Sunday 23 June 2024 from 2-4pm. A special event for our sponsors only. Come and meet your sponsored animal. Please note spaces are limited and booking is essential. Please contact the Sanctuary to book on tel: 01277 356191.
Open Day and Dog Show: Join us for our Open Day and Fun Dog Show on Sunday 7 July from 1 until 4pm. If you wish to take part in the Fun Dog Show, this starts at 1.30pm with bookings taken from 1pm. Class entry is £2 each and class information can be found on our website. Tickets for Adults £7 and for Children £5. Please book online via the Sanctuary website. Cream Teas are also available if booked in advance.
Afternoon Tea: Monday 15 July 2pm. Included in your afternoon is a tour of the Sanctuary and an opportunity to meet some of the 200+ animals living at Remus in the beautiful Essex countryside. To book, please contact the Sanctuary on tel: 01277 356191. Tickets are £25 for a traditional Afternoon Tea and include a glass of Prosecco. Further dates 29 July and 12 August.

Keep Strangles at Bay

This time last month was Strangles week. Perhaps, with our ultra busy 24/7 lives, its something that has already fallen off your radar, but Strangles is highly infectious, and following some simple hygiene practices can stop it spreading.

Strangles is a really unpleasant disease, which can have a long recovery time, and it’s something we work hard to avoid here at the Sanctuary. Good management practices and hygiene are at the heart of keeping the disease at bay in your yard.

Should you suspect an animal has Strangles, they should be isolated immediately. This is an airborne disease so they must have a separate air space to prevent transmission should they cough or snort.

If your horse is liveried, you must also notify the yard manager and other horse owners, as animals who have had contact with an infected horse must also be isolated – even if they are not showing any symptoms.

Other safety rules to follow include keeping one set of equipment such as mucking out tools, grooming kit and feeding items etc for the isolated horse only. Keep other animals such as dogs away too, to avoid spreading infection, and dispose of waste such as bedding, feed and water in a separate area.

Humans caring for the animal should wear sturdy disposable gloves and change clothes after contact – overalls are useful here. Wash clothing and any other material items at 60 degrees to kill bacteria.

For more details about the disease itself, symptoms and treatment head to www.horseandrideruk.com/expert-advice/articles/put-stop-strangles.

Upcoming Events

Harmony Brass Band: Harmony Brass will be celebrating the ensemble’s 40th Anniversary on Saturday 8 June by presenting a special fundraising concert in aid of Remus. The evening will include the usual eclectic and popular mix of music for all tastes and feature a selection of audience favourites enjoyed by the group’s supporters over the past 40 years. The concert will take place at Stock Village Hall from 7.30pm. If you would like to buy tickets please call 01277 622456. Tickets are £20 and you can bring your own drinks and nibbles.
Afternoon Tea at the Sanctuary: Monday 10 June 2pm. Included in your afternoon is a tour of the Sanctuary and an opportunity to meet some of the 200+ animals living at Remus in the beautiful Essex countryside. To book, please contact the Sanctuary on tel: 01277 356191. Tickets are £25 for a traditional Afternoon Tea and include a glass of Prosecco. Further dates 15 July and 29 July.
Open Day and Dog Show: Join us for our Open Day and Fun Dog Show on Sunday 7 July from 1 until 4pm. If you wish to take part in the Fun Dog Show, this starts at 1.30pm with bookings taken from 1pm. Class entry is £2 each and class information can be found on our website. Tickets for Adults £7 and for Children £5. Please book online via the Sanctuary website. Cream Teas are also available if booked in advance.

Essex Horse Sanctuary Invites Visitors for Open Day in June

Remus Horse Sanctuary, a leading authority in older horses, is looking forward to opening its gates and welcoming visitors to meet the 200+ animals for the first time this year, on Sunday 2 June from 1pm to 4pm. Due to the endless wet weather, Sue Burton, Founder of the Sanctuary, had to make the difficult decision not to proceed with the May Open Day.

“Visitors to the Sanctuary park on the fields and they were just too wet in May”, said Sue Burton, Founder of the Sanctuary. “We rely solely on fundraising, and missing such an important event was a devastating blow. We really need to catch a break!”

The charity has been beset by problems of late due to the extremely bad weather throughout Autumn, Winter and Spring, with a great deal of flooding and storm damage sustained, all of which hamper the important animal rescue work that the team provides and cost funds the Sanctuary just doesn’t have at present.

The Open Days at the Sanctuary are an important source of fundraising and are fun for the whole family.

In addition to the number of animals, there will be a children’s corner, roving magician and live music, plus a number of stalls selling a variety of items, a tombola and raffle. Dogs are also very welcome on a lead and parking is available on-site with disabled access.

In addition to the popular and traditional Cream Tea with two scones, cream and jam, a range of sandwiches and cakes will also be available.

Admission will be charged at just £7 per adult and £5 for children, or £15 per person to include the Cream Tea. Advance online booking is recommended via the charity’s website.

The Sanctuary organise a number of Open Days throughout the warmer months and further dates for 2024 are as follows:

Sunday 7 July with a fun dog show
Sunday 4 August
Sunday 1 September with a fun dog show
Sunday 6 October in celebration of World Animal Day

In addition to the Open Days, the charity also hosts a number of Afternoon Teas at the Sanctuary throughout the summer months and a variety of other fundraising events, Full details can be found on the Charity’s website.

Sue says, “We’re really looking forward to our June Open Day – it’s been a very wet and long winter and spring!

“We’re so immensely proud of what we achieve here, and love inviting visitors to come and meet the animals and learn more about what we do. When we can’t open due to the weather it’s such a blow to our fundraising and to our morale. Please do come and support us.”

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

Our thanks to Everything Horse for sharing details of our Open Day on their website.