REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY was formed in 1983 with the aim of providing lifetime help and care for horses, ponies and donkeys who are the victims of physical and mental abuse, be it as a result of ignorance or malicious intent  

It is so named in memory of the first horse rescued. Remus was starved for up to 4 months in a field by an uncaring owner. Left, tied to a roadside post, without food or water, totally emaciated, a mere shadow of the horse he had once been. When rescue came in the form of concerned members of the public and a vet., he was taken to a horsebox for transportation to a Veterinary Hospital. Whilst being loaded he was frightened by the passing traffic, he stumbled, fell and too weak to get up he had to be pushed into the horsebox. He travelled lying down but rescue had come too late, his trauma from the months of deprivation resulted in him bleeding internally. He died the next morning.  

The sanctuary was probably born out of a need to find some place to house a foal, Pickles, whose mother had to be put to sleep as a result of a fractured skull. A site was found in Stapleford Abbots which had access to 3 stables and shared 10 acres of land but this soon proved to be inadequate and after several moves the sanctuary eventually settled on its present site at Buttsbury in 1993. 

Currently there are over 100 animals, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, pigs, cows and cats being cared for at the sanctuary which is run in a manner similar to that of a hospice. Nothing is asked of them. They are fed, watered, cared for, loved and receive regular visits from the veterinary consequently they look well and in good condition.

At the sanctuary it is considered important that people should experience the joy of helping animals to enjoy their lives free from fear, pain and distress and to achieve this aim a volunteer programme has been instigated in which anyone who has an interest can take part. There are other schemes such as Ponies in the Community in which ponies are taken to Elderly Residential Homes for senior citizens to enjoy, something for them to talk about and share with their families and friends.  Additionally there is the Welfare Scheme in which members of the sanctuary will respond to calls of concern regarding the welfare of animals; the Homing Programme where animals which have been nursed back to health are found homes in the community thus making room for other sick animals to be cared for.

To provide all these facilities requires administrative staff, people with experience in animal care and veterinary surgeons but additionally there are about 30 volunteers, of all ages, who keep the place tidy and in pristine condition.  

It takes a lot of money, about £250,000 a year, to keep the sanctuary operating which is provided to a large extent by the Fundraising team who organise stalls, quiz nights, summer and Christmas Fayres and street collections. There are Open Days on the first Sunday in the month from May to October and also a Membership and Sponsorship Scheme.  

The sanctuary is situated at Little Farm, Buttsbury Road, Buttsbury a beautiful part of the Essex Countryside and is well worth a visit for its beauty and for the interesting and enjoyable experience of being in the company of the animals. Pictured left to right are Sue Burton - Founder, Lillian Leggett - Volunteer, Daphne Stovin - Fund Raiser, Jo Hadley – Administrative Assistant, Vicky Thoroughgood - Yard Manager.