Meet the Twelve Stars of the Remus 2027 Calendar
There are plenty of familiar faces at Remus Horse Sanctuary, but have you met the twelve special characters starring in our 2027 wall calendar?
From Brian in January to Stix in December, each month features a different animal, all with their own story and place in the Remus family.
Whether you’re a regular visitor to the Sanctuary or follow our work from further afield, we hope you’ll enjoy getting to know the animals who will be keeping you company throughout 2027!
January – Brian
We start the year with Brian, a rather cheeky goat who certainly knows how to make an impression!
Brian arrived at Remus in October 2022 after being found wandering loose on an industrial estate. Thankfully, a concerned member of the public, who happened to be a neighbour of the Sanctuary, brought him to our attention.
He’s settled in beautifully and loves showing off when visitors approach his fence, usually with a few enthusiastic headbutts! He spends his days enjoying the paddocks with his friends Patrick, Peppa and Rocky.
February – Smudge
February belongs to Smudge, one of several cats rescued from the East End when the Olympic sites were being developed.
Smudge and his littermates had a terrible start in life, living in awful conditions without proper food or care. Thankfully, they were rescued and brought to Remus, where they’ve been able to enjoy the safe and comfortable lives they deserve.
Now eight years old, Smudge needs medication for urinary problems resulting from his early neglect. But that doesn’t stop him enjoying his daily routine of breakfast, playtime, lunch and a cosy afternoon nap. He’s also rather thoughtful, sometimes seeking out poorly sheep, horses or goats to sit with and offer a little comfort.
March – Hovis
Our March star is Hovis, a donkey who came to Remus after his owners moved to Wales.
Sadly, the horse he was living with was picking on him, and the situation had been reported to the RSPCA several times. Things came to a head during the journey to Wales when the horse attacked Hovis. On arrival, the people taking the animals in refused to accept him.
Hovis was forced to make the journey back to Essex, leaving his transporters with a donkey and nowhere to take him. Remus stepped in and offered him a home.
Today, Hovis enjoys life with his donkey friends and is particularly protective of Wesley and Spencer.
He’s certainly found his place in the herd!
Find out more about sponsoring Hovis.
April – Clementine
Meet Clementine, our lovely little Shetland pony.
Clementine arrived at Remus in 2012 with her friend Cassie after the petting farm where they lived closed down. Sadly, Cassie passed away a few years ago, but Clementine continues to enjoy life at the Sanctuary.
Now 33 years old, she’s a sweet-natured but rather nervous pony who prefers her own company. She also has Cushing’s Disease and Equine Metabolic Syndrome, which means her diet and daily care need careful management.
She’s a lovely reminder that every animal deserves a safe and happy retirement, whatever their age or needs.
May – Mason
May features Mason, whose rescue story is a powerful reminder of just how much animals can care for one another.
When Mason was just three months old, he and two other youngsters, Heidi and Alfie, were found chained to the ground by their necks. Remus managed to rescue all three, but little Alfie was already desperately poorly. Sadly, he died within days, despite our best efforts to save him.
Footage from the Sanctuary’s cameras showed something incredibly moving. When Alfie sat down, Mason left his hay and went to sit beside his little friend. They then both lay down together. Half an hour later, Mason got up and returned to his hay. In that short time, Alfie had passed away.
Mason and Heidi went on to recover, receiving intensive veterinary care, including twice-daily penicillin injections. Today, Mason enjoys a very different life, free from pain, fear and hunger.
Find out more about sponsoring Mason.
June – Dolly
June introduces us to Dolly, a beautiful mare who finally found the freedom she deserved after spending 22 years on a tethering chain at an airfield in Southampton.
Like so many tethered horses, Dolly often went hungry and thirsty and had little opportunity to enjoy life or socialise.
When she arrived at Remus, she could hardly believe her luck. She’s settled in beautifully and loves the security of her new home. Dolly is very keen on routine and is known to bang on the gate if her food doesn’t arrive quickly enough. She also lives with arthritis, caused by a serious foot injury sustained while tethered, and walks with a limp.
Find out more about sponsoring Dolly.
July – Winston
Our July star is Winston, who was found at an illegal travellers’ sale, standing alone in a dirty trailer, terrified and extremely thin.
When he arrived at Remus, blood tests revealed severe liver problems caused by ragwort poisoning. He had been kept in a field full of ragwort, with little else available to eat, and had been forced to consume the poisonous plant.
Thankfully, with the right care and attention, Winston has made good progress and now thoroughly enjoys his life at the Sanctuary.
It’s lovely to see him enjoying the safe and happy future he so desperately needed.
Find out more about sponsoring Winston.
August – William
August features William, one half of the very special donkey duo known as Coco and William.
The pair were found huddled together at an unauthorised travellers’ fair, having been sold three times in just one morning. Remus was able to bring both donkeys and a Shetland pony called Stix, who you’ll meet again in December, to the Sanctuary.
It took a whole year for Coco and William to feel sufficiently safe and well to start playing. They also had numerous health problems that needed attention, but thankfully both are now in good health.
They absolutely adore each other and are rarely far apart. In fact, these two usually come as a pair!
Find out more about sponsoring Coco and William.
September – Muffin
September belongs to Muffin, a young mule who arrived at Remus with his mum, Maisie.
Both had experienced something so traumatic that they were initially terrified of people. They spent their first few months in isolation while the Sanctuary team and a behaviourist worked patiently to help them feel safe.
Muffin and Maisie have since progressed to sharing a paddock with other animals, where they can begin to relax and learn that they won’t be hurt again.
Muffin is a sweet-natured youngster who gets on very well with his mum, although Maisie makes it quite clear who’s in charge, and occasionally needs to remind her son!
It’s wonderful to see these two beginning to trust again, even if they still have a way to go.
October – Dusty
October introduces Dusty, one of four tiny Shetlands rescued together with Archie, Oscar and Drifter.
All four were less than a year old when they were being dragged around the country from market to market before eventually being saved from slaughter.
When they came to the attention of Remus, they were in a dreadful state: emaciated, sickly and suffering from strangles, a highly infectious equine disease. They had also been illegally castrated and endured a great deal of suffering.
Thankfully, the Sanctuary was able to intervene and bring them to safety. They needed plenty of veterinary care, attention and patience before they could regain their health and learn to trust people.
They’ve now enjoyed many happy years at Remus, and every bit of that hard work has been worthwhile.
November – Maisie
November features Maisie, mum to September’s star, Muffin.
When Maisie and Muffin first arrived at Remus, they were among the most frightened animals the team had ever encountered. Maisie was so terrified that she physically shook whenever anyone approached her.
With time, patience and the help of a behaviourist, things are slowly changing. Both have moved from isolation into a paddock where they can spend time with other animals and learn that they are safe.
Maisie is still working on becoming more comfortable around people and getting used to coming into a stable. Progress is gradual, but every little step forward matters.
She’s a lovely reminder that rescue isn’t always about an immediate transformation. Sometimes, the greatest achievement is simply helping an animal feel safe enough to trust again.
December – Stix
And finally, we round off the year with Stix, a cheeky Shetland pony with quite a story behind him!
Stix arrived at Remus from an unauthorised travellers’ fair, where, despite being just eight months old and very tiny, he was being ridden by two eight-year-old boys at the same time.
He came to the Sanctuary alongside donkeys Coco and William, with whom he lived for several years before eventually joining the larger Shetland group.
He’s settled in brilliantly and loves life with his fellow Shetlands. A rather cheeky chappie, Stix certainly knows how to keep things entertaining!
Find out more about sponsoring Stix.
Twelve months, twelve very special stories
From Brian’s cheeky antics to Maisie’s tentative steps towards trusting people again, our twelve calendar stars represent just a small selection of the wonderful animals who have found their forever home at Remus.
Their stories are all different, but each one is an important reminder of why the Sanctuary exists and the difference that rescue, care and compassion can make.
We’ve loved sharing a little of their stories, but there’s nothing quite like seeing their lovely faces!
If you’d like to spend 2027 with Brian, Smudge, Hovis and all their friends, why not buy a Remus 2027 wall calendar? Not only will you have twelve wonderful animals to keep you company throughout the year, but you’ll also be helping to support their ongoing care at the Sanctuary.
Our 2027 wall calendar makes a lovely gift for animal lovers, or a treat for yourself. At just £6.99, it features twelve beautiful photographs, one for every month, and helps support the more than 100 horses, ponies and donkeys who depend on us.
A huge thank you to our calendar sponsors for helping to make this year’s calendar possible: Arrow Leasehold Management, Dengie, Big John Direct, Firebird Facepaints, Affinity Fostering and Phoenix Brickwork.
By buying a Remus 2027 calendar, you’re helping us continue that work and care for the more than 100 horses, ponies and donkeys who depend on us.
Order your copy of the 2027 Remus Wall Calendar today!
For guaranteed Christmas delivery, orders must be received by Thursday 17 December 2026.
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