MURTAGH
Welcomed to the Sanctuary — May 2020
Crossed the Rainbow Bridge — June 2025
Donations may be made in Murtagh’s name to Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, to help the next equine in need.
“ghoistidh”
Saying goodbye is hard.
Often, when we rescue a broken horse, who carried humans through sports and careers, trail rides and competitions, we know that those humans will not be here when that horse is laid to rest. And we know that we will be. So there is joy in welcoming a horse that is helplessly turning to us, for some relief, somewhere to be safe, and is tempered with a cacophony of other feelings, including, knowing there will be love and there will be loss.
So today we held the old, sweet heads of two dear friends, and said goodbye. Meg and Murtagh, a bonded pair of old horses, former barrel horse and former ranch horse, each rescued and nurtured at Rosemary Farm. Both had pain that could not be corrected, despite both having surgical procedures over the years, to and from the equine hospital, weeks on stall rest, careful care in the hopes of soundness again... but it was not to be. For a time, Murtagh was the father figure to a young colt, Ian, and his momma, Claire, and they were a fine trio and Murtagh was so very proud to have a family. Super smart, he must have been something back in the day, a steel grey ranch horse out west, big and powerful. Sold east, likely after his neck damage, and served as a trail horse for years, before being dumped at auction, unable to even walk a straight line... but he was still proud. His time at Rosemary Farm has been treasured, even as we discussed how to keep him safe, when he would re-injure his fragile spine, and get further injections. The pairing with Meg was a good one, both had physical restrictions but big hearts that wanted to live. Together they enjoyed several more years...but it was clear that we were out of options and they were in decline. So we chose a sunny day, big bowls of grain, and a gentle, trusted DVM, and laid them to rest.
We are so very glad we had the privilege of knowing them and loving them, and being loved by them, as their last home on this earth. Our hearts are sore, but our promises were kept.
Murtagh’s Story
Murtagh probably had several names and several owners in his long life. Branded from some ranch out west, he was likely a steel grey horse, big and impressive in his day. Ranch horses are generally well trained and physical, and there are fewer places that use actual brands like the ranches do. As these horses age, they are often sold East to be dude ranch or kids camp horses, and it seemed that is what happened to this handsome boy, because it was one of those owners who presented him for sale at an auction in the spring of 2020.
The poor horse could not walk a straight line by then, hunched and in obvious pain, and the only one bidding was the kill buyer, but Murtagh came home instead to Rosemary Farm. The immediate concern was whether he was neurologic, because he was in obvious pain, but his full medical work-up revealed a pinched nerve in his neck. This was so painful that to compensate, he was walking with his neck bent around and kind of scooting his hind end. Imagine carrying a child like that!
Murtagh was heroic in what he withstood before being rescued. At Rosemary Farm, he received injections into his vertebrae to ease his pain, and was turned into a smaller paddock with two other horses saved that day at auction, and the trio became close. The mare, named Claire, and her colt Ian, brightened the days for Murtagh, who found himself with a little family, and 2020 was a magical year for him. In the spring of 2021, Claire and Ian were placed in a wonderful adoptive home, so they could continue on their own path of growth.
Murtagh continues to receive additional injections whenever his pain returns, and is enjoying the horses and home he has come to know and love, including Meg. Nearly white now, he has a low, throaty nicker, and is quite wise to the ways of humans, looking for a nearly imperceptible nod in order to move forward or turn to enter his stalls. Murtagh was selected by a long time supporter as a special horse she wanted to support via our Staydoption™ program. He is a wonderful choice for this gift and deserves every bit of happiness he is receiving.