SHERLOCK
Welcomed to the Sanctuary — March 2026
Across the Rainbow Bridge — October 2026
“Black Beauty”
Sherlock was a dreamboat of a horse, so handsome and well mannered.
This dear gentleman, who was described at rescue as a 15 year old stallion, we learned was a 25 year old cryptorchid stallion with cancer. It required a complete shift in our thinking, and in his care going forward.
In his old age, when cancerous lesions appeared and he was beyond use, he was not wanted. And horses, as sensitive as they are, understand this betrayal. Too strong a word? How would you feel if at 80 yo, you lost your home and your humans and all that you knew?
Here at Rosemary Farm, Sherlock was on a daily med to suppress his cancer growth, and spent his days in a paddock with his lady friend Blossom near (but in a stall!). Neither was fit for adoption, and both were considered “hospice”, but they didn’t know that. What they do knew is that here, they had grain, and unlimited clean hay, fresh water anytime (this is new for them) and no work.
Sometimes we say rescue is difficult but that is only true from the human point of view. From the horse’s perspective, rescue is life saving and wonderful. Look at that face, with a trusted hand at his side. If we weren’t here, his diagnoses would not have changed, but his final chapter certainly would have.
We rejoiced at the gift of this elegant horse being part of the Rosemary Farm family, and shared his happiness at finally being loved, and cared for.
Through summer and into the fall he put on weight and shine, and we began to contemplate the prospect of sharing winter with him as well, but a follow up vet exam revealed what we had feared; a progressing of his cancer. We could not risk a longer window of time without knowing when his body would fail, and that would be a horrible way to go. As painful as planned euthanasia is, emergency euthanasia is much worse.
So on a beautiful autumn day we let go of this beautiful black stallion, the kind of horse many of us grew up dreaming about. Well mannered and gorgeous. He enjoyed the sun and warmth, more grain done, a good roll in the dirt and a bit of flirting over the fence, and a life peacefully concluded.
Sherlock and Blossom did not know they were purchased, and they did not know that their lives would end today. They did know a kind last chapter, where needs were met. They did get to know grass, and freedom to move their own bodies, they got great food, got to watch sunsets and sunrises, and stand in the rain just because it felt good (yes always with shelter as an option), and be near other horses, and be somewhere peaceful.
We hope that made a difference for him, and his experience of being alive on this earth.