Sussex Retirement Centre

30/10/2025

The residents are loving these and they smell divine 😋

27/10/2025

Our residents are so lucky to have the barn, making walking in a large area possible 24/7. Whilst warm and dry with ad lib forage.

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*** MYTH BUSTING: MY ARTHRITIC HORSE IS MUCH BETTER OFF OUT IN THE FIELD, WHATEVER THE WEATHER ***

It is absolutely true that gentle movement most definitely is the best management option for arthritic horses and ponies, but there are always variables to consider, and the blanket statement in the title is definitely not always true.

If the fields were always perfect, with a gentle cut in the ground, didn’t ever get rock hard and rutted, and at the opposite end didn’t turn to deep bog, then keeping arthritic horses out 24/7 would be ideal. Possibly a topic in its own right, but every paddock should also have shelter, whether natural (big trees to offer shade throughout the day, not a 4 foot hedge) or man made.

As we head into winter, we will start to see many horses standing around in deep mud, with no hard standing area to rest on. This isn’t acceptable for fit, healthy horses, let alone our arthritic oldies. Some owners feel pressurised into keeping their arthritic horses out 24/7, and unfortunately don’t take their facilities into consideration. An old pony standing in deep mud with horizontal rain whipping across his face, and no dry area to get out of the mud, is not going to reap any benefits that turnout should give; he would be better off coming into a dry, warm stable every night than spending 24 hours a day like that. Likewise, the dry summer this year left many paddocks rock hard, and when the rolling window had been missed, rutted. Once again, movement is ideal for arthritic horses, but not on rock hard rutted ground, with no flat/comfy area to rest.

I’ll post more on arthritis, as it’s a widespread problem in the horse world, but I wanted to make people think as we head into winter. 24/7 movement is the best option for arthritic horses/ponies, but standing in deep mud (=cold joints, too) with no area to rest and shelter, definitely isn’t a good option for them.

Completely unrelated photo of Molly, Mabel and Alfred’s mum, en route to a very good 3rd in an Intermediate (3*) section back in the day!

22/09/2025

Autumn 🍂 is definitely here 😍

01/09/2025

💔 Goodnight, Red 💔
It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of our beloved Red.
Red came to me at Sussex Retirement Centre two years ago after a very unsettled past — passed from pillar to post, through countless dealers, arriving emaciated and broken both physically and mentally. With his health issues, he was never going to pass a vetting, which meant he was trapped in a cycle of being sold on, each person trying to make back what they could.
That cycle ended when he was signed over into my care. From that moment, Red was able to have what he truly deserved — retirement, safety, and unconditional love. Over the last two years, he gained weight, friendships, and a sense of peace. He never went without a full tummy, never had to worry about where his next home would be, and he found comfort and security in his herd.
Sadly, in recent months his mobility worsened, and despite the better condition of his body, he became less able to carry it. Today, we let him go with dignity & surrounded by love.
I feel honoured and privileged to have had Red in my life. His story is one of resilience, and though his time here was short, he knew what it was to be safe, cared for, and loved until the very end. Run free now, beautiful boy. 🌹
✨ A huge thank you to everyone who donated — however big or small — you helped make it possible for Red to live out his days with comfort, love, and the security he so desperately needed. We couldn’t have given him this happy ending without your kindness and support.

25/08/2025

Acorns! 2025 is going to be a "Mast year". This happens every 5 to 7 years our last being 2020, meaning there will be an abundance of acorns and as you can see from a friend's picture, theyre falling already!! (Good catch Carolyn 😉). Just a reminder to get your oak trees fenced off and collect wherever possible. These are highly toxic to many animals.

17/08/2025

Sunday is my favourite day of the week, listening to the church bells 🔔 ringing whilst walking around checking everyone, what better way to end the weekend . A few pictures from this morning 😍

08/07/2025

Just chilling with our buddies 😎 🥰

23/06/2025

22/06/2025

Colour coded fields 😍

20/06/2025

Often we end up clipping some residents in the summer, to help keep them comfortable. This lovely lady is always a pleasure to do ❤️

14/06/2025

I'm looking for some references for a new client. If anyone fancies helping out that would be amazing ❤️

26/05/2025

Red is looking incredible this spring.
He must have been huge in his day, all muscled up. 😍