Sue Burton: A Life Dedicated to Equine Welfare
Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, has shared her journey of rescuing and caring for neglected and abused horses in this recent article in Your Horse magazine.
Inspired by the tragic story of Remus, a horse who suffered due to human cruelty, Sue established the Sanctuary over 40 years ago. Today, she and her dedicated team care for 74 horses, alongside donkeys, mules, sheep, goats, and cats!
Sue’s work extends beyond daily animal care – she tirelessly fundraises to meet the Sanctuary’s £500,000 annual running costs, organises welfare rescues, and collaborates with authorities to protect equines in need. Despite her background in historical research, a pivotal moment at an animal rights event changed her path forever.
The Sanctuary provides a safe haven for animals with heartbreaking pasts, including Holly, a blind mare rescued from neglect, and Minstral, a traumatised horse who defied the odds to survive. Sue’s motivation comes from seeing these animals thrive, knowing they are safe for life.
With unwavering determination, Sue and her team continue to fight for equine welfare, with their #BornToDie campaign ensuring that Remus Horse Sanctuary remains a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable.
You can read the article online here.
Remus Horse Sanctuary receives no financial support from the government and we would very much appreciate your help. You can do this in a number of ways:
- Make a donation to our Winter Feed Appeal
- Attend one of our Fundraising Events
- Leave us a Gift in your Will
Exciting Spring Events at Remus Horse Sanctuary
As spring approaches, Remus Horse Sanctuary is gearing up for a vibrant calendar of events, offering something for everyone ahead of their much-anticipated Open Days, which begin on the first Sunday of the month from May through to October (weather permitting). With a diverse range of activities, supporters can learn, create, shop, and dine – all while raising essential funds for the Sanctuary.
March has some fantastic fundraising events to enjoy:
On Friday 8 March, put your knowledge to the test at our Quiz Evening at Stock Village Hall. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start – gather your team and join us for a fun and competitive evening.
On Saturday 16 March, there are two great opportunities to support the Sanctuary. First, our Online Auction via the Remus Facebook page starts at 11am, offering a fantastic selection of items to bid on. Later in the day, join us for the Curry Club at Nirvana Indian Restaurant in Ingatestone. For £22 per person, you’ll enjoy poppadoms, dips, a main course, side dish, and rice or bread. The event starts at 2pm for a 2.15pm sit-down, and advance booking is required. (These two events will also be repeated on Sunday 27 April.)
April kicks off with an Elderly Horse Workshop at the Sanctuary on Sunday 6 April, running from 11am to 3pm. This insightful session is designed to help horse owners understand how to support their equine companions in their later years. Attendees can enjoy tea, coffee, and homemade cakes while gaining valuable knowledge. The workshop costs £40 per person, and booking is essential by calling 01277 356191.
On Saturday 12 April, creative minds can take part in a Cake Decorating Workshop at the Billericay Reading Rooms from 11am to 2pm. Participants will learn to ice a cake with fondant and develop basic modelling techniques to craft their very own Easter Bunny cake! The workshop costs £45 per person, including sugarpaste, modelling paste, and a cake board. To secure your place, call the office on 01277 356191.
Look out for details on our website of our Fashion Show on Saturday 17 May and Enrichment Workshop on Sunday 25 May.
Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, said: “Spring is an exciting time for us as we prepare for our Open Days, and we’re delighted to offer such a wonderful mix of new events for our supporters.
“Whether you’re learning, bidding, or dining with us, every event helps to raise much-needed funds for the animals in our care. We’d love to see as many people as possible getting involved!”
For further information about the invaluable work at the Sanctuary, visit www.remussanctuary.org or call 01277 356191.
Why is My Horse Lame?
Learn to recognise the signs of lameness and what it can mean for your horse’s health…
As horse owners and carers we are usually pretty in tune with our animals’ health. With so many elderly, recuperating and rescued horses here at Remus, we are always on the lookout for problems, so we can treat them before they become more serious.
We all worry when a horse appears to be lame, but it’s useful to be able to identify the severity of the lameness and what it might signify. For instance, a severely lame animal may hold up their leg, and avoid putting any weight bearing on it, even when just walking – it could be the sign of a hoof abscess.
Less severe lameness might be the sign of tendon strain or arthritis. In that case you might not see the issue until they are going at a trot – you’ll likely see your animal’s head go down on the good leg and up on the lame one. It’s often something that is not noticed until the horse is lunged.
More serious is a lameness in both front legs – look out for the horse holding its head and neck in a rigid position, and moving with a short, choppy movement. Time to call a vet!
Finally, as a general point, being aware of your horse, the way it moves and its general disposition, will help you to more quickly spot anything out of the ordinary.
You can read more about lameness in this article on the Horse and Rider website: Looking into Lameness.
As the wet and windy weather continues, we are continuing to raise funds for our Winter Appeal. Please do make a donation to our cause – whether a grand gesture or small, every little helps and we and the animals are so appreciative.
Pop Sunday 4 May into your diaries to join us for our first Open Day of the 2025 season.
From Tragedy to Hope: Why Remus Horse Sanctuary Still Needs You
A Tragic Beginning
Whether Remus Horse Sanctuary is a new name to you or you’re a seasoned supporter, you may not know the story of why and how we were formed.
Not long after arriving in Essex from London in 1983, Sue Burton witnessed first hand the horrors of more than 100 horses abandoned on the bleak, flooded marshlands of Rainham. Thirteen were trapped by rising waters, left to drown in the most appalling conditions.
The Story of Remus and Pickles
Shortly after, the charity’s namesake, Remus, was found dumped outside a livery yard – tied to a lamp post in a pitiful, emaciated state. He had been stolen and starved in a dispute between two people over just £50. His suffering was too great to survive, and in an act of kindness, he was put to sleep.
Not long after Remus, Sue and her friend Pat heard about another desperate case – Misty and her foal, Pickles. Misty had sustained a fractured skull, possibly from a kick while on the Rainham Marshes during the flooding. Incredibly, her plight became known not because of her suffering, but because Pickles, left to wander, was attacking people on a footpath.
Misty, tethered and unable to reach her foal, was beside herself. Tied by her neck to the ground despite her fractured skull, she had no way to care for her baby. There was nothing more that could be done for Misty, and to end her suffering, the vet made the heartbreaking decision to put her to sleep.
Sue and Pat found themselves with Pickles – and an urgent need for land where he could live. But walking away from what they had witnessed wasn’t an option. And so, in 1983, Remus Horse Sanctuary was born.
Why Our Work is Still Urgent Today
We wish we could tell you things have dramatically improved in the last 40 years. While some progress has been made, it is simply not enough.
Even today, horses and ponies suffer the same horrific neglect and abuse. It’s estimated that there are over 7,000 welfare cases in England, with numbers rising every year. That’s why we launched our #BornToDie campaign on our 40th anniversary – to raise awareness and fight for real change.
By the way, Pickles went on to thrive, finding a wonderful home with Remus member Sue Tredget. He lived a long, happy life, passing away in his 30s.
How You Can Help
Sue and the team work tirelessly – raising awareness with councils and authorities, fundraising for change, rescuing animals in need, and providing care for the many residents at the Sanctuary. But we can’t do it without you.
The cost of running the Sanctuary continues to rise, just as your own expenses do. Every donation, no matter how small, helps us rescue and care for more animals in desperate need.
👉 Please support our work today.
In memory of Remus, Misty, and Pickles, and for all the animals who still need our help today and in the future. Please click the link to donate or learn more about our #BornToDie campaign. Together, we can make a difference.
What is Give as you Live Online?
You may have seen our social media posts in the past, or perhaps previous blogs about ‘Give as you Live’ – but perhaps you’re unfamiliar with how it works and whether you can trust it as a means of making donations to us. After all, most things that are too good to be true, generally are right! Well we think this is probably one of the few exceptions.
However, if you’re still in doubt, we’d like to share some further information with you.
How does Give as you Live work?
By shopping through Give as you Live Online supporters can raise free funds for us and other charities. Give as you Live Online work with over 4,300 popular high street retailers, as well as dozens of insurance, energy, broadband and utility providers. Supporters simply sign up to Give as you Live Online and use the website, iOS app, start page or Donation Reminder to browse retailers and make a purchase. Once you have shopped online a free donation is raised for the charity!
Where do the funds come from?
As a ‘thank you’ for bringing users to their website, the retailer pay Give as you Live Online a commission – they then turn this into a donation for the supporter’s chosen charity.
If their services are free, how do they make money?
Put simply, the Give as you Live team make their money through the retailers – part of the commission they receive from the retailers is retained by them to cover their costs. They donate 50% of the commission they receive to charity, and the other 50% is used to fund the ongoing development of Give as you Live Online.
All of this is done in the background – this means the donation amounts they display represent the actual amount the charity will receive – a 5% donation really does mean a 5% donation!
How do I sign up?
We have our own dedicated landing page on the Give as you Live website. It’s easy – and free – to register so you can quickly sign-up and start raising funds. It can be done with only a few clicks!
Click on any one of the links above and, once you’re on the Remus dedicated landing page click on the green button on the right hand side which says: ‘Support us, it’s free’ and follow the simple steps.
Your support in this way, makes a phenomenal difference to us here at Remus Horse Sanctuary. You’ll be able to see how much is being raised online via these simple steps.
And remember, whether you’re shopping for groceries, the sales, your holiday, or just switching your energy supplier, every little really will help! Just click below to sign up now!
Sale Items: We have a couple of gift boxes remaining with short ‘best before’ dates. Price reduced from £12 to £6 plus p&p. Choose from:
- Choc Chip Biscuits with Three Fruit Marmalade and Pure Flower Honey
- Butter Shortbread with Plum Preserve and Summer Blossom Honey
Find the full details of both gift boxes here and place your order to avoid them going to waste.
How to Promote Condition Safely
Can you see your horse’s ribs? Are they prone to losing weight over the winter? Is your older horse just not looking quite as good as they were? Here are Dengie’s 5 top tips for promoting condition safely:
1. Are you feeding enough?
Feed enough forage eg, hay or haylage and if fed ad-lib, weigh what’s offered and what’s left to ensure sufficient is eaten. This is important for weight gain and to support a healthy digestive system. Aim for 2% of your horse’s bodyweight of forage on a dry matter basis each day. Provide additional forage in the field if the grazing is poor or in inclement weather conditions such as frost and snow.
2. Know what you’re feeding
Choosing good quality forage is key as it makes up such a large part of the diet. Offer a trug or bucket of short-chopped fibre such as Dengie Pure Grass or Meadow Grass with Herbs and Oil alongside hay to provide a higher calorie forage.
3. Check your horse’s teeth
Dental problems can have a big impact on your horse’s ability to digest their feed and forage. Regular checks by a vet or qualified dental technician are important. If a horse is struggling to chew, find a format of fibre they can manage eg, short chop fibres and fibre mashes, such as Dengie Alfa-Beet.
4. Provide slow-release energy for condition without the fizz
Dengie Cool, Condition & Shine is a fantastic conditioning feed for weight gain. A high-fibre blend of soft chopped and pelleted fibre to encourage chewing, Cool Condition & Shine also contains a high oil content to promote condition and coat shine without excitability. Spearmint oil and a light molasses coating tempt fussy feeders.
5. Maximise your horse’s ability to utilise their feed
The digestive system of any herbivore is undoubtedly healthier when fed a high fibre diet. Using highly digestible fibre sources, such as sugar beet, which is included in Dengie Alfa-Beet, can make a significant contribution to the horse’s energy requirements. Rich in pectin, one of the most digestible forms of fibre, sugar beet has been shown to have a prebiotic-like effect in the gut. Including it in rations can therefore help to improve the digestibility of other fibres the horse consumes.
Our thanks to corporate partner, Dengie, for providing this helpful article. For further help and advice, the Dengie Feedline team can be contacted on 01621 841188 or by filling out a Feed Advice Form.
If you are interested in becoming a corporate partner, please contact Dee Shadforth our Fundraising Assistant via email to: funding@remussanctuary.org.
One Minute to Help is all it Takes
Please support Remus Horse Sanctuary in the Benefact Movement for Good Awards 2025 – it will take you just one minute!
As a haven for horses, ponies, donkeys, and other animals in need, we are excited to participate in the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards this year. These awards provide substantial grants to charities, enabling them to continue their vital work. With your support, Remus Horse Sanctuary could secure one of these generous donations to further our mission of rescuing and caring for animals that have suffered from abuse or neglect.
Upcoming £5,000 Animal and Wildlife Special Draw
The Benefact Group has announced a special draw focused on animals and wildlife, offering ten awards of £5,000 each. The nomination window is open for a limited time, from Monday 17th February to Friday 21st February 2025. Please mark your calendars and visit the Benefact website during this period to nominate Remus Horse Sanctuary. Your nomination could make a significant difference in the lives of the animals we support.
Ongoing £1,000 Draws
In addition to the special draw, the Benefact Group conducts regular £1,000 draws. The next draw is scheduled for Monday 24th March 2025. If you haven’t already, please consider nominating Remus Horse Sanctuary for this award. Each person can submit one nomination per charity, and the more nominations received, the higher the chances of winning. Once you’ve nominated, please use the sharing tools provided to encourage your network to support Remus as well. It’s a quick process, and your participation can have a lasting impact.
How to Nominate
- Visit the Benefact Movement for Good website during the nomination periods.
- Complete the nomination form, selecting Remus Horse Sanctuary as your chosen charity.
- Share your nomination with friends, family, and social networks to amplify support.
Please note: If you’ve already nominated Remus Horse Sanctuary for the £1,000 awards this year, your nomination will automatically be included in all remaining £1,000 draws. However, nominations for the £5,000 special draw require a separate submission.
Your Support Matters
By nominating Remus Horse Sanctuary for these awards, you’re directly contributing to the well-being of countless animals. Your nomination can help provide the necessary resources for rescue operations, medical care, and ongoing support for animals in need. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to animal welfare.
For more information and to nominate, please visit the Benefact Movement for Good website during the specified nomination periods.
Unwanted Christmas Gifts Could Help Transform the Lives of Neglected Animals
Remus Horse Sanctuary, located in the heart of Essex, is calling on the public to donate unwanted Christmas gifts this January to support its ongoing mission to rescue and rehabilitate horses, ponies, and other animals in need, like Holly pictured. With a simple donation of unwanted items, supporters can help make a real difference at the Sanctuary, which has been providing care for more than 40 years.
Every year, millions of pounds’ worth of unwanted gifts go unused or are discarded across the UK. By donating these items to Remus Horse Sanctuary, supporters can help raise vital funds to feed and care for animals who have suffered neglect, abuse, or abandonment. The Sanctuary, which relies entirely on public generosity, turns these donations into much-needed resources through sales, raffles, and events.
The Sanctuary also welcomes practical gifts like towels, blankets, and cleaning supplies, which directly benefit the animals’ care. Remus is home to more than 100 rescued animals, many requiring ongoing medical treatment and specialised diets. The rising cost of living has made public support more critical than ever, ensuring the Sanctuary can continue its essential work.
Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, said: “By donating your unwanted Christmas gifts, you’re not just clearing out your cupboards – you’re giving hope and a second chance to animals who have endured unimaginable suffering. Every contribution, no matter how small, has the power to change lives.”
Unwanted gifts and donations can be dropped off at the Sanctuary any day between 10am and 4pm until the end of January.
Remus Horse Sanctuary is currently raising funds via its Winter Appeal on JustGiving at: www.justgiving.com/campaign/remuswinterappeal2024.
Looking After your Stabled Horses and Ponies in Winter
Bad weather and flood conditions can result in your animals being stuck in their indoor stabling for longer than usual – here’s how to keep them healthy…
Following a very wet autumn, and now winter, having safe and suitable turnout for your animals may be a luxury for many.
Wet weather often affects us here at Remus with both flooding across the lower paddocks and at Buttsbury Ford, but when your horse has to be stabled for longer than you’d planned for, it’s important to ensure you are doing everything you can to keep them healthy and happy.
If your horse is kept in a large yard or livery, you may be lucky enough to have an all-weather turnout area – whether indoor or outdoor, with rubber, sand or woodchip, which allows your animals to exercise when ground conditions in fields are bad.
Track systems are also more popular now and can be useful for older horses and those recuperating as they can continually move.
However, for many horse owners, these aren’t options, so if your horse is stabled for longer than usual. consider these points:
- Routine: Horses thrive on consistency, but if you have to stable your horse you’ll need to offer a different kind of routine to stop them becoming bored and even confused. Visit at the same time to give feed, forage and top up water. And ensure they have some human interaction, such as daily grooming.
- Stable toys: When your animals are in stables for a long period of time, they can get bored and turn to attention-seeking vices. Stable toys can help – whether it’s treat balls or a swede strung up for them to nibble at. If possible, place your animal next to others, so they have some company, but otherwise consider a stable mirror.
- Exercise: If ground conditions make it hard to ride, consider long lining or lunging for a short but effective workout.
- Keep it clean: Cleanliness is even more important than usual. Make sure hoof care and grooming are included in your routine and maybe consider having less bedding during the day to help keep the stable clean – subject to how cold it is of course.
- Food rations: Carefully consider how much food and forage they are receiving if they are not getting as much exercise as usual. Reduce calorie and sugar content and offer good-quality forage.
You can view one of the Donkey gang, Davey, playing with a treat ball on our YouTube channel here: youtu.be/LiAO_95stvQ.
Find more advice and ideas at: everythinghorseuk.co.uk/considering-welfare-for-the-stabled-horse-and-pony-this-winter.
And please remember our winter appeal. If you’ve not yet had chance to donate, we would very much appreciate your help: www.justgiving.com/campaign/remuswinterappeal2024. However large or small, every contribution makes a difference.
Remus Horse Sanctuary’s Big Ask: Support Their Festive Wish List
As the festive season approaches, Remus Horse Sanctuary is calling on the local community to support their vital rescue and rehabilitation work by purchasing a gift from their wish list. The independent charity, based in Essex, must raise all its own income to keep the Sanctuary operating and to continue helping neglected and abused animals not only locally, but across the South East.
This year has been particularly challenging due to rising costs and persistent wet weather, which have placed additional strain on the Sanctuary’s resources.
Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, who recently collected her British Empire Medal for services to equine welfare, said: “With costs continually rising and a lot of wet weather this year, it has become more challenging than ever to generate the income we need to keep everything going. We’re asking you to dig deep and support us.”
The Sanctuary’s wish list includes a range of essential items such as feed, bedding, and medical supplies, as well as practical items to ensure the animals have a safe and comfortable winter. Whether purchasing a bale of hay or contributing towards a larger expense, every donation makes a significant difference.
For over 40 years, Remus Horse Sanctuary has been a lifeline for abandoned, mistreated, and elderly animals, offering them a second chance at life in a safe and loving environment. Their work is only possible thanks to the generosity of supporters, particularly during the colder months when costs are at their highest.
To view the wish list and find out more about how you can help, please visit www.remussanctuary.org/product-category/animal-treats or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191
Other Appeal
