VIOLET
Welcomed to the Sanctuary — March 2010
Across the Rainbow Bridge — March 2025
“Queen of the Mules”
It was 2010, we were not a rescue formally yet, and Violet was the first horse 'bought online', in the seasoned trap of a 'kill buyer' masquerading as a 'rescue'. At first sight, we posted out on our brand new Facebook page and a private donor, a generous friend, put up the money to help her. We stepped in for several more from that lot, and before we knew it we had many horses from there, several we didn't ask for, everyone really sick, untrained, a hot mess of trailers heading to us. We learned a lot that year of nursing them all, and learned how thieves work online too, how they take advantage of the hearts of kind people.
But we have never regretted a save, and the last of that original group from 2010 is Remy. Didn't see that coming.
Violet was billed as a 'sport horse' because she had this big drafty head but thin body. It turns out she was actually a baby percheron, who continued to blossom into a ginormous horse, full of opinions and attitude, often laying back her ears to intimidate others. Violet was named, and her full name was Violet Ruth Beaujolais, in tribute to a wonderful human who passed, named Ruth, mother to her primary donor. Violet was the first horse to be Staydopted at Rosemary Farm, and had a dedicated supporter to help cover her basic needs.
Violet was one of our herd leaders here, known as “Queen of the Mules”. Initially, she hung out with other draft horses at Rosemary Farm, but then she moved pastures within the campus, and met the senior mule Alice. Alice was a beautiful, classic, dark bay mule, and there is just something about mules and draft horses that goes together like peanut butter and jelly. It may be due to a long heritage shared working alongside humans, or some special common language that is different than other horses, but whatever it is, it’s a strong, instinctive bond. Violet appointed herself as Alice’s guardian, and they were inseparable for years, with Violet protecting Alice as she aged, until Alice crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2024.
When Alice left us, the remaining mules, Junebug, Madeline, and Popcorn Charlie, still clung tight to Violet, and her leadership. She didn't 'need' to be in the Medical Wing, but several of the horses she protected did, including Remy and Nala, and Vi always loved when she was able to claim a stall. Easily the widest horse here, she had a terrific roman nose and had faded to a pale gray over the years, always a beauty.
Violet was the calendar cover girl for 2013, when her mane and tail were still jet black.
She had several nicknames, and could be called to bring up her herd with a shout in whatever direction they were in, "MOOOSSEE! Bring em up!". Violet would send back a throaty, four beat nicker and start bak to the barn.
She could be a handful for the DVM's. Early in life Violet contracted Potomac Horse Fever, and required some intensive vet intervention to save her life. While WE were grateful, she carried a bit of a grudge to needles, and many needed extra patience to manage her. Then there was the time she broke into a grain room and ate an entire bag of feed, and needed some intervention to assure she didn't founder. She used to break into the old 'senior barn' and have 'barn parties' teaching us all how to build better gates. She broke out and took the herd to the neighbor's hay field, and after an early morning call, the enormous horse was walked back home with a hay string, followed by a parade of her herd.
But most of those escapades were years ago, and Violet taught us a lot about fencing and percheron management. She was a dear, trusted friend who brought me great joy. Her life here with surrounded by love, by friends of several species, and her passing is a total shock.
But the only thing we know is, we all must pass.
We are grateful to all of you who have cared for Violet over the years, and visited, and enjoyed meeting her. Violet was the horse we trusted for our 'side saddle' training day, and several of us got to experience sitting on her in a side saddle. She was patient and trustworthy when it really mattered, in the way you know a true friend is.