PRINCESS YANAHA
“Miracle Baby from the Midwest”
Scrolling online, Rosemary Farm founder Dawn Robyn spotted a listing for a group of baby horses at a kill pen in the Midwest, in need of emergency help. The story was all too common; an owner died and a bunch of broodmares and babies were sold at auction. The mothers shipped to slaughter, with the babies were left behind, too small to even bother shipping, so someone organized a rescue plea. Within minutes an inquiry was sent, but very shortly afterwards, all were spoken for, which seemed wise, as The Sanctuary was far far away! When promises made by others were not fulfilled, the contact reached back out. Several of the babies had never been picked up; would Rosemary Farm still help?
A hauler was arranged to drive to two different rescues in the Northeast, with a pair of fillies coming to The Sanctuary. Everyone waited as transportation fell through, and was arranged again, waited to see if the babies would make it out alive. Two weeks later, after another one perished before leaving the pens, the two fillies arrived. They were nearly gone themselves, so thin and weak, and covered in ticks. COVERED in ticks, every inch of their skinny bodies, killing them. Sadly, the smaller of the pair, who was given the name Sialea-lea, did not make it; she had too much damage to overcome. The remaining filly, who was given the name Yanaha, was rushed to the equine hospital for an emergency transfusion of blood, and intensive care to save her life. She had to be shaved to get all of the ticks off, and needed extra layers of coats against the raw spring weather of the Catskills, but what a victorious face when she walked out of the hospital and onto the trailer for home! She became “The Princess” at that moment, beloved by Rosemary Farm friends near and far.
Back at home Princess Yanaha was taken under the care and protection of Honey Pie, a very kind Haflinger mare who had been through a lot of medical care herself. Yanaha spent almost a year at Honey Pie's side, growing strong, until her adopted ‘mom’ had to go for her own surgery. For the next bit of time, Yanni was “adopted” by a sweet senior gelding named Apple Jack, and next Ruby stepped in, then others. So many horses and people helped to raise the Princess, she was destined to be beautiful and with a full heart of love.
Now a young adult, shiny coppery color, with strong limbs, there is no trace of her early medical challenges, and Yanaha is healthy as, well, a horse! She is part of a sub-group of agile and athletic horses led by Katniss that enjoy running the large mountainside, and a member of the main herd.
The Princess may be adopted one day, and it will be a very special person who connects to this miracle baby. Until then, she does not have any dedicated Sponsors and would love to see your name in her roster of people who care! Can you help feed the Princess today?