COLE

Welcomed to the Sanctuary — January 2017
Across the Rainbow Bridge — December 2020

Cole was:

• a black American Saddlebred gelding
• welcomed to The Sanctuary in January 2017, saved from slaughter
• a member of the Senior Herd
• partner of Isabel
• crossed the Rainbow Bridge in December 2020

“Black Beauty”

Cole was one of those horses that came off the page, and was everyone's favorite from the moment he arrived at Rosemary Farm on a cold winter night. A mere skeleton of a horse, presented at auction by an owner who said curtly, 'He can do ten miles, no more". Cole was used up. Until, saved from slaughter, his life began again.

Cole was a deep dark black with a thin white blaze, and being a Saddlebred, had a long neck, long ears and eyes that always looked surprised. Cole had his likes and dislikes, and one thing he definitely did NOT like, was the idea of ever driving again. Anything that felt like tack being applied could raise his hackles, but he soon learned that at the Sanctuary, it was only a warm blanket to help him be more comfortable as he gained back weight.

He spent that first winter in the Medical Wing, and made some friends, and by spring he was ready for more interaction. Cole was very engaging, and made lots of horse friends, and learned how to go out and socialize with even the largest herd at the Sanctuary. And what a breathtaking beauty he became, shiny and happy with general health. Cole just breathed this wonderful vibration of happiness and it was contagious. For a time, he was part of a trio that included himself, Ella and Isabel, three large black horses enjoying life, and Isabel became his dedicated partner.

Cole struggled with recurring medical issues, vestiges of his hard life before we met him. He was hospitalized more than once, but always happily returned. It was dark day late December of 2020 when Cole could not bounce back from colic symptoms, and traveled for surgery. This time, he was not able to recover, and crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Christmas Eve.

Cole left behind his mate at the time, Isabel, who was allowed to see him before he was buried, so she would understand.

There is a Cole shaped hole for many of his friends, horse and human alike, where there is love for him still.