The founder of a beloved Essex animal sanctuary has issued a desperate emergency plea as heavy snow blankets the UK, threatening the survival of more than 100 rescued horses, ponies, and donkeys.
A "Perfect Storm" of Winter Challenges
Sue Burton BEM, founder of the Ingatestone-based Remus Horse Sanctuary, launched the annual Winter Feed Appeal this week with an urgent target of £2,500. The sanctuary is battling a combination of harsh conditions that have wiped out natural grazing, coupled with skyrocketing costs for specialist feed due to poor hay yields from the 2023 growing season.
This financial strain comes as the team works tirelessly not only to care for their permanent residents but also to provide emergency supplies to neglected and tethered horses across the county. While tethering itself is not illegal, many owners are failing to provide basic welfare, leaving animals exposed and starving in sub-zero temperatures.
Four Decades of Lifeline Care Under Threat
The sanctuary, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023, was founded after the tragic death of 13 horses on the Rainham Marshes in 1983. It provides lifetime care for victims of extreme abuse and abandonment, including goats, sheep, and cats, ensuring they never again face such "bleak marshland" conditions.
Every penny from the current appeal will be used directly for hay stocks, fibre feed, and the cost of emergency welfare callouts. Sue Burton, awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to equine welfare, stated: "Every winter we see animals arrive thin, cold and frightened. A warm rug and a full belly can be the difference between despair and recovery."
How Your Donation Makes a Direct Impact
Small contributions are proving vital this winter. For example:
- £15 provides a sack of fibre feed for an elderly pony for an entire week.
- £50 can cover the costs of remedial shoeing for ponies suffering from laminitis, a painful condition worsened by winter.
"With your help, we can say yes when the next call comes," Sue added, "and will keep working to ensure more horses are safe, warm and cared for this winter." The sanctuary's mission continues to be a critical lifeline, entirely dependent on public generosity to weather this severe seasonal crisis.
