HANDSOME JACK
“The very first horse”
Like many new horse owners, Rosemary Farm Founder Dawn wanted a horse that was trained and sound for riding. Jack was a young registered Thoroughbred living near the 'new farm', and seemed perfect; he was over 17 hh, a pale grey, and so handsome, clearly from an impressive lineage, and so, was purchased. However, neither the seller nor the buyer knew the extent of Jack's issues from his brief track life, and the care he really needed.
A lifetime of equine education began with Handsome Jack, and an awareness of the current challenges that many horses face, and the horrifying truth that so many former beloved pets, competitors, trusted equine friends, were being packed into trucks and shipped across the borders, into Canada and Mexico, for slaughter. As a young girl grown into a career woman who had dreamt of horses her entire life, this seemed like gold being thrown away, and a cruel injustice to a sensitive and trusted friend.
Handsome Jack was just 7 years old when he became the first horse at what grew into Rosemary Farm Sanctuary. Not sound for riding, not easy to handle, huge and handsome and cranky, Jack's journey and rehabilitation became the basis for many more equines to come and be welcomed, and loved, without expectations or requirements, just getting to be a horse.
Jack is 20 years old now, and has enjoyed watching the rescue grow up around him, with lots more friends and freedoms, as the growing herds were given access to more and more mountain acreage. While plagued with more than a few medical challenges, Jack has had a full and happy life. He is clumsy, with his very long legs, and finds himself in and out of the Medical Wing more then others! He was best friends with Rhett Butler prior to his passing, and has also been spotted grooming with the wild Mustang River, two horses from opposite ends of the equine world, both finding peace and friendship at The Sanctuary.
Now enjoying the good life of sanctuary, Handsome Jack has some needs. Sponsor Handsome Jack today to provide him all he needs to remain healthy during his “retirement.”