06/14/2026
Betsy Rose was much more than that one special horse that comes into your life - she was a teacher, friend, comic, helper, healer and a a hero. Hero’s must be brave and overcome fear and insurmountable challenges which Betsy did, with much determination and dignity. Throughout her incredible journey to overcome all odds, she taught us perseverance, courage, compassion, patience, wisdom, to never give up, and to believe.
Betsy Rose was angelic and had an incredibly strong life force about her that naturally captivated countless hearts. She was a one of a kind spirit with an aura about her that can’t be described. Before being transported to our rescue on June 14th, 2013, the examining vet found Betsy Rose down, unable to get up. She had been down for days. Humane euthanasia was recommended – she was so thin and weak. Once a horse gets down to a body condition score (BCS) of one, they usually don’t recover. When a body is deprived of nutrition, it feeds off its own fat, muscle, and then organs. Betsy Rose’s BCS was a 0.5 and the odds for her survival were next to none. But from the moment I first saw her, there was an overwhelming connection and I sensed a fierce determination in her to overcome.
Can you imagine the heartache she must have felt after being discarded like trash by those she thought loved her? The physical neglect didn’t happen overnight and it had taken a toll. Even while she lay there, dying, she was very brave and determined – she didn’t give up. I believe she knew she had a purpose and that she was holding out for the chance at a miracle, a miracle which a higher power absolutely knew would come.
I promised Betsy Rose that we would do everything we could to make all of her tomorrows everything her past should have been. And with that promise, we ventured into a realm of miraculous wonder.
Betsy Rose was, simply, the very essence of love. She was the guiding force on an incredible journey that proved it to be true that love knows no boundaries and overcomes all obstacles. Betsy’s love was rare, enduring, and eternal. She turned tears of sadness into tears of joy; trials into triumphs; and even in times of darkness, she showed us there was light. Her perseverance, determination, and courage were beyond measure. She touched countless lives around the globe, inspiring people to believe and to never give up.
Sadly, we lost Betsy Rose on December 22nd, 2017, to a condition that prevented her from being able to swallow. If one cannot swallow, they are unable to live.
True to the extraordinary spirit she had shown throughout her journey, Betsy Rose faced the end with grace. In one final, priceless gift, she looked into my eyes—those deep, soulful eyes—and seemed to say, “I understand. It’s time, and it’s okay. Believe and never give up. I’ll be with you, always." The fierce fire of determination that once burned so brightly in her eyes had softened into profound peace which led us to accept the heartbreaking decision to let her go to Rainbow Bridge. It was the last and greatest gift of love we could give to her in this realm. Her mission had been successfully accomplished and we will forever be indebted to this little mare with the flaxen mane that continues to inspire us.
