GUADALUPE
“Lupe, the Wolf”
In 2022, a senior breeder of his own herd of Barb horses passed away, leaving nearly 70 horses in danger. His farm was in the remote wilds of Idaho, and most of the horses were untouched, and in need of care. An unknown number had actually perished over the previous winter, as the owner’s health declined and care diminished. The bloodlines of this herd are old, tracing back to Berber horses, North African or Spanish blood, and was a ‘closed herd’ for about 50 years, as the man, Robert Painter, sought to preserve the ancient DNA he saw being diluted. His herd is referred to informally as 'Painter Barbs'. They have been variously referred to as Spanish Barbs, or simply Barbs, and they bear the physical traits of these old lines, with primitive markings and smaller, hardy bodies suited for long days of trail work. But whatever their bloodline, they were in serious, immediate danger.
A large effort to help rescue them from disappearing to auction/slaughter began, started by the Fleet of Angels, and taken over by Connie Moore. Tremendous work went into rescue and responsible rehoming as many as possible, an enormous effort of love. It is difficult to find enough skilled homes for basically wild adult horses though, and time was running out. Rosemary Farm Sanctuary privately offered to be a safety net for any remaining horses that could not be placed before the land was sold, and so, in the summer of 2022, five of these mares made a five day journey across the USA, carefully transported by Marlene Dodge, a skilled and kind rescuer. They arrived and were calmly unloaded at Rosemary Farm.
Wild but intelligent, beautiful but in need of medical care, they began to be gentled, keeping the group together, keeping them near humans and activity. As time passed through Autumn, and into their first winter, they learned about halters and grain, received wormer and treatment for sand colic, and grew healthy and social. The youngest, who seemed to suffer the most during the cold, learned to wear a blanket, and all enjoyed mashes and tlc. A tame older Quarter Horse gelding at the Sanctuary, Andy, stepped in to help guide and protect them, and is very proud to be at their side. In the Spring of 2023, the herd group moved to a larger spot at the Sanctuary, over to Stardust Meadows, where they live now, and are making friends with the Arabians, Thoroughbreds, and others there. As DNA results return, and their bloodlines have some provenance, there may be new decisions made, but first and foremost, they are horses. Providing space and protection for the herd group is what matters most to them and what Rosemary Farm is providing.
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