BEHR
Welcomed to the Sanctuary - December 2012
Crossed the Rainbow Bridge - July 2024
Donations may be made in Behr’s name to Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, to help the next equine in need.
“Tricolor Dreamboat”
Early the morning of July 5th, Behr crossed the Rainbow Bridge. The last of our blind trio (with buddies Zak and Christian), our team worked diligently to make sure that he always had friends at his side.
Last night, we humans gathered with friends and a great meal, near Behr and his friends, to keep watch for any possible fireworks. Behr has an elevated fear of fireworks, certainly related to feeling helpless, and every year, we would stay nearby to comfort him if it was needed, giving him treats and talking to him to calm his trembling. Last night, a terrific rainstorm hit, lasting almost two hours, just before it got dark. It cooled everyone, and put a damper on loud 'celebrations', and relieved, we chatted under the roof of our back porch, and we watched Behr, Ella and Julian, as they ate fresh hay put out for them. They didn't mind the rain, three big friends companionably eating while the rain drenched them; nature’s showers. It was a beautiful sight, and I nearly took a photo, but didn't want to leave my own friends, and just appreciated the view and the quiet. I did not know it was Behr's last meal, or the last time I would see him alive and happy.
Behr's passing was very quick and was 99% a cardiac event. Arriving in late 2012, already partially blind, he was estimated to be 13-15 years old, and he spent nearly 12 years in safety and love at the Sanctuary. While we are in shock, we must recognize the enormous gift of life to this special needs boy.
Behr was perhaps the most beautiful of paints, with his asymmetrical blaze, a big goofy draft cross horse. Behr inspired donors, and had three different Staydopters over the years, and a special thanks goes out to his last Staydopter, who stepped in for him and his basic needs in the last year of his life.
This is Sanctuary, and today it is both beautiful and painful, as life can only be when there is love and loss. Behr will be greatly missed.
Behr’s Story
Behr was a gorgeous and very social tricolor draft cross gelding, who also happened to be fully blind. Arriving with some sight still, Behr was timid, and had a hard time making friends. He needed some hoof rehab and extra care to help him adjust, but the friendship aspect took longer. Sensing his weakness, even little horses would pick on him, and Behr was miserable.
It took over a year, and careful planning, to finally get Behr a friend, because horses use subtle signals to communicate, signals Behr could not see. First it was Christian, who was also sight impaired, then Zak, who was fully blind from a young age. He had a fling with the charismatic Honey Pie and was our 2015 Horses of Rosemary Farm cover model.
Behr's remaining sight faded, but by then, he had his own besties known as “The Square Peg Band”. This group of special needs horses had to learn to 'hear' and 'feel' other signals, and develop new ways for their friendships to grow. Once comfortable in their paddock, the trio of boys would run and play and a stranger looking on would never know there was any issue at all.
In 2020, Christian crossed the Rainbow Bridge due to cancer, and nine months later in 2021, Zak followed. Behr went through a period of transition, but he was not the same timid horse he once was. Behr could be shy and insecure and needed careful matching.
He formed a new friendship with the lovely (and very tall!) Ella that brought him joy, and explored a new friendship with Julian, a special needs draft colt who joined the Sanctuary in December 2023. Finally Behr had a guy friend, his size, to groom and socialize with. Confident in his home, Behr weathered these changes, not alone.
Behr was Staydopted, with lifetime support from a kind donor who wanted to ensure his forever needs were guaranteed, a truly selfless gift of love.