Remy

Remy - The Wild Herd

Remy is a beautiful 12hh grey Welsh Section B gelding. He is the third oldest member of both herds. Remy is 23 this year - his birthday is 25th May 2001. Remy was rescued by Springwood in 2023.

Remy's past:

Remy was kept as a stallion in his early years and was used for breeding. It's a difficult life for domesticated breeding stallions, usually being kept very unnaturally - separated from other horses and ponies until they are needed to 'perform'. Sadness, loneliness, anger and frustration are some of the normal emotions stallions feel.

After 6 years of being shown and used a champion stallion and siring many foals, but not being any part of their life, Remy was then gelded and used as a childrens show jumping pony for the following 12 years. During this time he was passed from child to child and therefore home to home, being separated from other horses who he so desperately needed to bond with.

After 18 years of being stabled, constantly separated from herd members, travelling to shows, being used at stud and then competing in the show jumping ring, the stress understandably got too much for Remy. Eventually he collapsed and had a seizure in the show ring. Sadly this traumatic event still didn't ensure his freedom from the stress of competing. His seizures spiralled each time he was ridden, then each time he even saw a headcollar. It was at that point in 2019, when he became unhandleable and extremely unwell, that he was given to a sanctuary who enabled him the freedom and autonomy he so badly needed to begin to heal. When that sanctuary had to close last year, Remy along his 11 other herd mates were rescued by us here at Springwood for their safe, secure forever home.

It's largely because of Remy that I felt I needed to accept the plea from the former sanctuary's founder to take in their herd last year. I knew it would be unlikely that anyone would take Remy on with his very special needs for complete autonomy. It's a very difficult thing to care for an animal that can't be handled and requires a lot of careful consideration. I also knew Remy would be unlikely to be kept with familiar horses if rehomed and this would be very detrimental to any possible healing for him. I really don't think darling Remy would still be alive without Springwood's offer of a forever home.

Remy's life now:

Remy is thriving here with freedom and healing - no expectations, no use and total choice in everything. His confidence is not only blossoming with humans but also with other horses. He's enjoying being part of the herd these days rather than hanging out very much on the periphery which was definitely his coping mechanism when he first arrived. This is all so beautiful and heartwarming to witness.

It's so wonderful to see Remy's confidence and trust growing every single day. Being curious and confident enough to explore the camera in the photo here is really lovely and gives me such a hugely happy heart. He is getting more trusting of us daily, so we're hoping to be able to help him with grooming when he is ready.

There are lovely breakthrough moments every week. One came recently when Remy actually nickered to me when I went into the field to check the herd! This is huge for him as he has been so wary of everyone. I went to forage some hawthorn berries, blackberries and hazel branches which he came over to take from me, eating them from my hand. So very special.

It has been a very gradual process of consistently earning this trust daily during the past 17 months that Remy has been here. Sitting quietly and peacefully with the herds and allowing them to just be, offering my hand at arms length to sniff without trying to stroke or touch, gaining huge trust with the rest of the herd so he can see how I react respectfully, gently and peacefully with all the others. Making no demands, having no expectations, stepping back if they show me I'm too near - watching closely for their subtle signs of discomfort - an ear moving, and eye widening, a tail swish, breathing changing etc. All these things have been watched closely by Remy and noticed from a distance, which has enabled him to trust more. I'm so happy that Remy is feeling confident, trusting and safe enough to make many huge shifts, even lying down near me to sleep deeply.

Remy enjoys hanging out with more and more of the Wild Herd these days - especially Archie and Skye. He enjoys foraging and exploring new areas.

If you'd like to support Remy by sponsoring him we'd love to have you as part of the Springwood sponsorship family and are enormously grateful to all our wonderful friends who support the sanctuary horses, ponies and donkeys. Thank you.

Sponsor Remy