Molly & Finn’s Herd

The largest herd group at The Sanctuary, comprising 20-30 horses at any given time.

They have the largest area to roam, depending on the weather and physical access, including “Middle Earth”, “Cow Poop Field”, “The Long Meadow”, “Night Pasture”, the “Badlands”, the mountain pond, the Brook, and several run in sheds, as well as the large Pole Barn. This diverse home allows them to subdivide into smaller groups of friends, encourages movement, health, active minds, and strong bodies. Rosemary Farm added an additional 114 acres at the end of 2019, some of which became extended grazing for this large herd, and smaller paddocks for some of the special needs horses. If you visit at sunset in the summer, you may be able to glimpse this herd as they cross our Brook and head up into the mountains!

 Dominic’s Band

A sub-herd of the main herd.

Perhaps it’s appropriate that our handsome Gypsy Vanner has collected himself a group of travelers who might not ordinarily have come together. While they run in common space with Molly & Finn’s herd, this little group are nearly always together, like a moon orbiting around a larger planet.

 The Mockingjays Herd

A sub-herd of the main herd.

Led by the fierce pony mare Katniss, this group of young and fit horses is always up for adventure. A sub-group of Molly & Finn’s herd, the Mockingjays will often venture out on their own for a day of play and games in the high mountain fields.

 Violet’s Gang

The emotional core of this little group is actually the senior mule Alice, who has mysteriously earned the loyalty of a giant percheron mare and two senior quarter horses. The gang sometimes expands to include others, and sometimes joins the larger herd, in order to enjoy the mountainside.

 Charlotte’s Web Crew

This motley crew is comprised of a group of equines that needed to be close, for one reason or another, and found friendship together. They are often found in the diverse areas alongside the main farmhouse, and home of the Rosemary Farm Sanctuary Founders.

Honey Pie’s Collective

If they were human, they would probably be a bridge club!

This little group of horses have created a tight knit friendship, circling around the magnetic personality of Honey Pie. All have had special medical needs at some point, and so are often found together in the medical ward, so they can receive the care they need for continuing health. All are very friendly and happy to say hello to visitors.

Square Peg Band

This special little band includes the blind tricolor draft cross Behr, the giant baby Percheron Ella and their best friend, the little Arabian Silver Bells. All special needs horses, they reside in a flat rectangular field with a small dedicated barn near the main house. Horse herds wax and wane, and this group will sometimes enjoy the company of several other friends, who are honorary members.

The Mini Herd

Both literally and figuratively, a small group of very small horses! Mini horses have a special draw for people, as you get the whole ‘big horse’ persona in a tiny body. Be sure to meet these little dynamos when you visit!

The Barbs

The newest band, this group of rare Spanish Barbs were part of a nationwide rescue effort in Summer of 2022. They may one day be integrated into the main herd but for now the four mares and yearling are a tight unit.

Baywatch

A handsome group including several beautiful Thoroughbreds and other athletic horses, the Baywatch Herd is currently at home in Ella’s Place, one of the six barns of The Sanctuary. Marshall is the herd leader of this band, who have ‘Stardust Meadows’, 11 acres of beautiful mountain fields, to roam.

The Arabians

A sub-herd of the Baywatch herd.

The Arabians were family before they came to Rosemary Farm, and after five arrived over the course of nine months, they became family again here at the Sanctuary. The crew shares Stardust Meadows with the Baywatch herd and is sometimes joined for a day or two by other Baywatch members.

The Senior Herd

A calm collection of retired professionals, these aging beauties take life at a slower pace, often sharing large stalls, to relax and rest and receive extra care for their medical needs. Part of Baywatch in their earlier years, many are old friends, having enjoyed over a decade together at The Sanctuary.

Little T Crew

The equines in the Little T Crew generally have special handling needs, or are temporary members undergoing training and development. Residing just 15 minutes from The Sanctuary, at the home of Rosemary Farm trainer Dan McCarthy, this herd is an informal group of family and friends.

Herd Harmony

Sometimes horses need a “boys only” space! This herd of geldings (some still stallions in their mind!) make up a harmonious “gentlemen’s club”, enjoying life without the distraction of mares. This group resides at a special farm, run by skilled equine caregivers, less than an hour from Rosemary Farm’s home base.

 Fairbanks Gang

The Fairbanks Gang are an evolving group under development as riding horses, as well as several special horses needing a more traditional environment. These equines reside a short drive from Rosemary Farm, at a vibrant boarding barn with a huge indoor riding arena, under the trusted care and tutelage of a skilled equestrian and friend of The Sanctuary.