THE founder of Ingatestone-based horse sanctuary Remus has issued an urgent appeal for financial help.

It comes after a terrible winter, which saw Sue Burton an her team deal with many "appalling welfare cases", have stretched the sanctuary's finances to the limit.

The Buttsbury Road sanctuary cares for around 200 horses, rescued from across the UK, incurring a medical and vets bill of £3,000 per month.

Ms Burton, founder fo the Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, said: "This year has been particularly tough, we’ve just seen no let-up on the demands placed upon us. 

"During the winter we dealt with the most appalling welfare cases.

"At one point, I remember standing in Dartford with a dead, emaciated horse behind me and a mare stuck up to her belly in mud in front of me, and about 50 horses all in very poor condition around me. 

"We paid for lorry loads of hay to keep them alive and we saw fields that were effectively burial grounds, scattered in carcasses and bones. 

"We worked tirelessly to help as many horses and ponies as we possibly could."

Grace and Holly are two of the horses the sanctuary cares for. Both were found roaming loose on busy public roads, completely blind and heavily pregnant and admitted to Remus in the Spring.

They have since given birth to their foals, but are unable to sufficiently care for their young. Grace is unable to feed her foal, Jess - meaning staff at the centre need to bottle feed the youngster.

Holly could feed her foal, Bracken, but she has also been very poorly and needed a lot of veterinary treatment, as she is very slightly brain damaged.

Ms Burton added: "Our monthly medical bill is in excess of £3,000 to help keep all the older ponies pain free and healthy. 

"We know everyone’s in the same boat financially, but if there is any way you can help, perhaps by organising a fundraising event, coffee morning with friends, or recycling your used stamps and printer cartridges at work, we really would appreciate it!  However small, it all adds up and everyone can make a difference."

Send donations by cheque and post to Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, Little Farm, Buttsbury Road, Near Ingatestone, Essex, CM4 9NZ or donate online and securely via PayPal or Just Giving via the Remus website at www.remussanctuary.org.