HANDSOME JACK
Welcomed to the Sanctuary - 2009
Across the Rainbow Bridge - November 2025
“The very first horse”
Handsome Jack was set free this morning, from a failing 24 yo body.
The “first horse” of Rosemary Farm, the valuable lessons from this troubled, failed racehorse were the incentive to begin this Sanctuary. A place where at least some horses can go, horses needing a soft spot to land, without requirement. Jack spent most of his life here, always opinionated and sometimes difficult, receiving care for his medical issues. He came to love his acupuncture to help strengthen his hind end, and his soaked meals, his stall and his herd family. He was devoted to Violet, the herd leader. He enjoyed his mule friends and his family, and his life.
The son of noted Maryland stakes sire Two Punch, and great-great-grandson of Native Dancer, great things were expected of this leggy gray colt. Alas, Jack did not seem physically or emotionally cut out for racing, and had a tie back surgery to attempt to increase his airflow, but was “washed up” by 4 yo. Sold to be a trail horse, he had constant fluid running out of his nose as a side effect of not being able to breathe properly.
When he was originally purchased to live here, it was clear fairly quickly that he was neither sound for riding, nor into the idea. Jack showed me all the ways a horse can say no, and learning to respect that, and find solutions for us both, was a huge learning curve. Retired from riding within months of becoming mine, Jack and I learned to be friends, and I fully accepted him for what he was, and was not. He was not into being groomed, would nip sometimes when being blanketed or handled, and refused to ever get on a trailer again.
Arriving here with deep sense of… ‘lack of family’ is the best way to put it… Jack was given what his heart most desired; a family. Jack could not neigh, was clumsy and awkward, but within the growing Sanctuary family, he made friends. His best friend was Rhett, a tall and gentle paint gelding. Today is the anniversary of Rhett’s sudden passing, and that significance is not lost on us. They were beautiful together, and happy. I hope they are together again.