AIDAN
“No mud, no lotus”
A horse is not mud, but the first photo shared with the Sanctuary team, in April 2019, showed a tiny, clearly starved, young thoroughbred, standing in it. Shaggy coat, hip bones protruding, he looked nothing like the shiny photos of thoroughbreds who receive quality care. He looked the size of a yearling, but was actually coming 3 years old! So very small, and so very starved. Left behind, he and two other stud colts were the last of the horses in dire need, the remains of 20+ needy, neglected thoroughbreds at what was once an iconic breeding farm in upstate New York. Several horses had died in advance of the rescue effort, and all the other thoroughbreds had already left for different area rescues. There was concern that this undersized colt had a skull injury, and the other two remaining were unhandled studs, more energy and effort than anyone else wanted to take on. Of course, Rosemary Farm said YES to all three.
This tiny colt was taken immediately to a trusted hospital for a thorough exam, and started on the road to health. When he finally arrived at the Sanctuary, on meds and freshly clipped of all that old nasty fur, he already appeared worlds better, and won the hearts of the crew immediately. He was on a course of antibiotics, and was kept separate until he could gain some weight and health, and be gelded. Very dark, slim, with a gentle demeanor, he was instantly loved. It was likely that he would remain slightly smaller, due to his early neglect, but he was lucky, he was alive and he would thrive. Aidan’s dam, “Permanent Wave”, was also rescued, and is safe. There is no kind explanation for the level of neglect that these horses suffered, horses intentionally created for ‘the sport of kings’. Well bred, but neglected to the point of physical injury, he was fortunate to get to Rosemary Farm early enough to turn around.
As he grew older, Aidan left the main facility to winter at an area barn, to start his saddle training, then continued that development a second barn. This gave him experience with good riders and traditional barn life. Started under saddle, Aidan has been out on trail rides and practice sessions in an indoor arena. At this juncture, he needs miles and a skilled rider to continue to develop. Thoroughbreds are a very intelligent and willing breed, and Aidan represents the best of those traits, so there has been care to not allow him to overdo it.
Aidan returned to the home campus in the summer of 2023, was fully re-examined for any residual effects from his rough start, and has a clean bill of health! He is in the Baywatch herd, and completes a trio of bays with Mira and Melody.
A handsome dark bay, with a slight ‘roman nose’ and a blaze that looks like it was wiped off wet, he is a lovely horse to spend time with, in or out of the saddle. “No mud, no lotus”, is a reminder that all things of beauty need soil to grow, and in the soil of Rosemary Farm, he has blossomed.
The one thing that Aidan needs in life is a sponsor – a person that appreciates what he’s been through, his gentle demeanor, and love of treats and grooming! Be Aidan’s new best friend by Sponsoring him today!