VENEZUELA
“Symmetry”
Years ago, a former breeder of fine Arabians created a lot of horses, but didn’t like what was happening when they sold into the show world, so stopped selling them. That would have been fine, but after 15 years or so of supporting a large herd, without generating the expected income from them, well, things were falling apart. In 2015, running out of options, the owner reached out for help. Many of the beautiful horses had little or no training, or vet care, and were in trouble.
Rosemary Farm welcomed six of the herd (two mares and four geldings) to join the mountain family. Of the six, two arrived at the main campus, the sisters Venezuela and Moon Mist (to read about the remaining gelding from that intake, see Ice’s story). Both mares were in their teens, chestnut colored, almost the same height, and nearly impossible to tell apart, except for the slightly different snips on their noses. They were intelligent but cautious, and while accustomed to large herds, had not left their home property before. It was an adjustment to a new place and new friends, both horse and human. Venezuela had more ‘emotional baggage’, and could be more reactive than her calmer sister Mist. It took time for trust to build, to be able to accomplish basics, like vaccines, hoof care, and winter blanketing, but the pair did very well. They relied upon each other.
Venezuela was the younger of the lookalike full sisters, and they were rarely apart, galloping the mountain together. Several beautiful years passed. Mist, the older sister, showed some decline beginning in 2021, and despite excellent medical care, was lost to cancer in 2022. Before crossing the Rainbow Bridge, as she grew weak, Mist began spending more and more time up on the mountain, and most of the time, Venezuela was nearby, keeping watch. This ritual is a rare experience to watch, as often, domestic horses do not have the space to be able to isolate as they fade, before passing. On the day the DVM was present, to help her over, Venezuela stood near and watched, until the humans drew close to her sister… then turned, and walked away, down the hill, off the mountain, to the herd below. She knew, of course she knew. There was great concern for how the she would manage, because the inseparable pair seemed each half of a whole, but Venezuela carries her sister now inside her heart. She did not go back up onto the mountain for a long time, but she survived. Ven was able to lean on the other horses in her herd, and her humans, and the land itself, which is a great source of grounding for the living beings connected to it. Now in her 20’s, with good health, Ven continues to enjoy her life in peace, running the mountain home with her beau Dooley.
Venezuela is shy, and often overlooked by visitors, and she is without dedicated sponsors, and would welcome either. Her quiet loyalty and ethics are admirable, and she is valued for the horse she is.