Happy Birthday Remus

2008 sees the Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary celebrating its 25^th birthday. Founded in 1983 by Sue Burton as a result of the plight of Remus, a thoroughbred horse stolen and starved to death in a dispute over £50 and closely followed by the death of several horses on Rainham Marshes cut off when the land flooded. The Sanctuary is presently home for 50 horses and ponies, 5 donkeys, 2 cows, 40 sheep and 12 goats. 2 pigs.

About 70 of the fitter younger Horses and ponies are fostered out into loving homes but always remain the property of the Sanctuary and are returned immediately should the need arise,  for whatever reason. 

Obviously being very much involved in Welfare the Sanctuary staff attend sales and are constantly being called out to deal with distressed and ill treated horses in Essex and beyond. Many of the horses and ponies arrive in appalling condition from various sources, Sales certainly, but also from private homes, where sometimes ignorance of their needs rather than deliberate cruelty and neglect has brought the animal near to death. Sometimes an animal is so sick that nothing can be done for it but every animal is given every chance and at REMUS most horses are successfully rehabilitated                                                                                                                 

The Sanctuary has established itself as a centre of excellence in the care and management of the older horse. Most of the animals at the Sanctuary are in their thirties and forties, the oldest pony is a staggering 54 years.  The Sanctuary’s ground breaking Elderly Horse Campaign launched in 2007 works with experts in Equine Nutrition, specialist Veterinary care, Holistic and Farrier support. There are a series of information leaflets available as a help pack for owners to help them care for and keep their old horse happy and well.  

In recent years the Sanctuary has followed a Holistic approach; the animals are given the opportunity to self medicate with Herbs and essential oils and homeopathy. Shiatsu, osteopathy and magnotherapy are used to help them.  It is hoped to install a Solarium when funds are available to aid the more arthritic animals. An Indulgence day will be held at the Sanctuary on 20^th July. Equine practitioners in aromatherapy, shiatsu, osteopathy, reiki. Indian Head Massage, Bach flower remedies, magnotherapy and many others from around the South East will be on hand to show you how the treatments work with demonstrations throughout the day which will show how the horses at REMUS respond to these treatments. Remus Sanctuary is very respectful of the beautiful countryside in which it nestles. A conservation programme is ongoing and no chemicals are used in the fields. Hawhips, Blackthorn (sloes), Rosehip and blackberry hedges have been planted to aid the wildlife and allow the horses to browse for their mental and physical wellbeing, 

Many events are held at the Sanctuary our Open Days are held on the first Sunday of the month May until October. Visits by appointment are available at other times, Remus Sanctuary is very aware that the young people of today are the owners of animals of the future and to this end hold regular own a Pony days to educate and teach respect, responsibility and understanding of the needs of equine ownership