WILL
Welcomed to the Sanctuary - May 2016
Crossed the Rainbow Bridge - January 2024
Donations may be made in Will’s name to Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, to help the next equine in need.
“Mr. Charming”
Winter can precipitate loss in a barn, and on a late January afternoon, our dear senior Quarter Horse Will passed away suddenly, with his favorite person at his side. This news may shock some, as much as the event shocked us all, and we must remember that a quick passing is a blessing to one who is crossing over.
A gorgeous bay Quarter Horse, registered as “Dry Stop Willie”, Will was a dreamboat, a gentle soul through and through. Left homeless after the death of his owner several years ago, the remaining family, bewildered that they now owned a horse and also owed boarding fees, reached out for help, and Rosemary Farm said “yes”. Will had been raised and trained to be a western show horse, a cutting horse, but most of his life he was moved from stall to private paddock and back again, preserved like a toy horse, spotless and... not really living. So when his owner passed and he had to move, he was unprepared. He was terrified of trails, of the unknown, of turnout, of lots of 'normal' experiences.
Will became our horse. Because of his needs, he was established by us at Fairbanks Stable, where their care and arena could help show him off. Will tried his best but no one wanted to adopt a horse that would freak out on trails. Ringwork was his thing, and he was ridden by some of us, under a Western saddle, and under English, and even a side saddle, and what a sweet, sweet boy he was. Will was safe there, boarding with trusted friends; Rosemary Farm covered his basic bills and the barn owner, Faye, took care of him, and over time, she became his 'person'. When we decided to retire him from riding and from seeking an adopter, it would have been unfair to move him, so we just kept the arrangement going. It worked for Will, and we are here for the horse.
A solid bay, the handsome Will was lucky to find a safety net in a world that doesn't often provide them for horses, and he was especially easy to give that to, because of his amazing demeanor. For Will, the safety net comprised the Rosemary Farm team, the Fairbanks Stable team, and the donors who covered his needs.
Our hearts are sore tonight. Godspeed, Will, thank you for being our horse.