Visiting Rosemary Farm- a Sanctuary for Horses
Have you ever dreamed of waking up to the sound of horses whinnying and thundering hooves right outside your window? At Rosemary Farm Sanctuary in the Catskill Mountains of New York, you can do exactly that.
Rosemary Farm Sanctuary is a safe haven for horses who have been starved, neglected, or rescued from difficult situations. It is a peaceful and meaningful place to visit, especially for families who love animals.
Rosemary Farm Sanctuary
Each of the sanctuary’s 84 residents has a story. Some were intercepted on their way to slaughter after being purchased at auction, while others were confiscated by police from cases of neglect or abuse.
At the end of the day, many of these horses would no longer be alive if it were not for Rosemary Farm Sanctuary. Thanks to the compassion and dedication of the sanctuary’s founder, Dawn, and her husband, these horses are now safe, cared for, and truly living their best lives.
I have never been to a place where horses are able to truly be themselves. At Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, the horses roam in herds across 114 rolling acres of pristine land. They come into the barn for meals, but many choose to sleep out in the fields beneath the open sky. It is a place that approaches horse care very differently, and you can feel that the moment you arrive.
I have so much respect for the work being done at Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, so when I heard they had opened a guest house, I was excited for the opportunity to stay overnight and fully experience it.
I brought my horse-loving nieces along with my son for the trip. On the way, we stopped in the small town of Lee, Massachusetts to wander through a farmers market, and later made another stop at Howe Caverns. It was a long drive, and by the time we arrived at the sanctuary, we could hardly contain our excitement.
The guest house is listed on Airbnb, making it very easy to book, and the best part is that every stay helps support the rescue work being done at Rosemary Farm Sanctuary. The cozy house has three bedrooms with two full-sized beds and one twin bed, which comfortably fit our group of five. There is also a full bathroom and a kitchen stocked with basic cooking utensils. In the morning, a basket of fresh eggs is delivered to the house, which made the experience feel even more special and connected to the farm.
My favorite part about staying at the guest house was waking up and watching a herd of 13 horses peacefully grazing right outside my bedroom window. If you climb to the top of the hill on the property, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the entire valley and surrounding Catskill Mountains.
The guest house does not have a television or WiFi, and at first I panicked that the pre-teens would go stir crazy. Instead, we ended up playing games, listening to music, and actually talking to each other. It turned out to be really refreshing to unplug for a few days. There was even a record player in the house, and we spent part of the evening listening to old-school vinyl records together.
Rosemary Farm Sanctuary is located in a very rural area, so there are no “attractions” nearby, but that is not what we were there for. The farm offers planned activities throughout your stay, which made the experience feel immersive and meaningful.
When we arrived, we were given a full tour of the farm so we could get our bearings and meet some of the horses. The following morning, we joined Dawn for farm chores.
We mucked out stalls, filled nibble nets with hay, and helped with the daily care of the horses. The girls even assisted with medications and spent time grooming some of the residents. It was such a hands-on experience and gave the kids a real appreciation for the amount of work and love that goes into caring for rescued horses.
We also met some of the sanctuary’s most famous residents, including Nemo, a donkey who arrived at Rosemary Farm Sanctuary with a crushed leg. In most cases, hoofed animals with severe leg injuries are euthanized, but Rosemary Farm was determined to give him a chance.
Each morning, Nemo lovingly rests his head on Dawn’s shoulder while she straps on his prosthetic leg. Once it is secured, he heads off to spend the day just like the other animals in the pasture.
That is what I love so much about animals. There is no self-pity or resentment about the circumstances they have endured. They live fully in the moment and simply embrace the life in front of them. Spending time at Rosemary Farm Sanctuary felt like a reminder that we have a lot to learn from them.
It filled my heart with so much joy to watch the children bonding with the horses. My son was quickly chosen by the herd leader, Finn. This beautiful horse arrived at Rosemary Farm Sanctuary after being rescued at auction for just five dollars. Andrew connected with Finn immediately, and the feeling seemed completely mutual. Wherever Andrew wandered on the farm, Finn followed just a few steps behind.
Watching my child interact with such a large and majestic animal was incredibly emotional and honestly brought tears to my eyes. Andrew’s touch was so gentle and calm that it seemed to instantly relax the horse.
Moments like this remind me how powerful animals can be in teaching children empathy and compassion. I felt so proud seeing the kind and caring person he is becoming, and it is experiences like this that leave a lasting impact on children.
The girls each fell in love with a horse as well. Sofia adored Molly, while Marina quickly bonded with Harper.
One of the most magical moments of the trip happened before sunrise one morning when I hiked to the top of Stardust Meadows. As I walked through the fields, several of the horses quietly followed along beside me. Together, we watched the sun rise over the valley as the morning fog lifted from the hills.
It is hard to describe the experience without sounding cliché, but it truly felt ethereal.
A horse named River slowly approached me. I held out my hand, and after cautiously sniffing me, he allowed me to gently stroke his face. Later, I learned that River had once been a wild stallion who was captured during a government roundup and eventually sent to auction.
Standing there beside him, I could easily picture River running free with his long mane blowing in the wind, surrounded by his herd and the only home he had ever known. It was heartbreaking to imagine the fear and trauma he must have experienced being chased by helicopters, forced into crowded pens, and separated from his family. In an instant, he lost both his freedom and everything familiar to him.
Yet, River was one of the lucky ones. It breaks my heart to think about the many wild horses whose spirit has been diminished after being confined in ways that are so unnatural for them. Watching the horses at Rosemary Farm Sanctuary roam freely across the fields made it even more clear how deeply they need space, companionship, and freedom to thrive.
On our final day at the sanctuary, the kids participated in a lesson in natural horsemanship. It was fascinating to learn how to communicate with a horse through body language, trust, and gentle movement rather than fear or intimidation. The horses were ridden using bitless bridles and soft saddles, which reflected the sanctuary’s compassionate approach to animal care.
It was such a valuable experience for the children and a wonderful way for them to become more confident and comfortable around large animals.
Rosemary Farm Sanctuary is a truly special place. If you love animals, you will absolutely love it here. There is something unforgettable about watching a herd of horses come thundering down from the mountains and crossing the river together as one.
Experiences like this stay with you long after you leave. Bringing children to a place like Rosemary Farm Sanctuary helps teach compassion, empathy, and respect for animals in a very natural way. It gives them the chance to slow down, connect with nature, and form meaningful bonds with living creatures in a way that is becoming increasingly rare.
I also wanted to share a link to a National Geographic special of Behind the Shot that took place at Rosemary Farm. It gives you a really great glimpse at the property and is a nice introduction to many of their residents.
To view the Airbnb listing for Rosemary Farm, just click here. Not only will you be supporting their good work, but trips to animal sanctuaries are just plain good for the soul.
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