Two mares and a newborn foal

Two mares. One newborn foal. And a story that took 18 years to tell.

When Annie was born, her mama, Dream, was a first-time mother. Like many new moms, she wasn't quite sure what to do with this tiny new life standing beside her.

Then Tess stepped in. Tess was an experienced mama with a heart big enough for every foal in the pasture…or so she thought. Before I knew it, she'd claimed Annie as her own.

What seemed like an innocent act of mothering created a heartbreaking chain of events. Dream no longer recognized Annie as her baby. For three long days, we worked tirelessly to reunite them. Under veterinary supervision, Dream was sedated while we used every safe, time-tested method we could—including placing Annie's scent where Dream could recognize it again. We hoped instinct would overcome confusion.

Finally, it did. Dream accepted Annie back. I thought the story ended there.

I was wrong.

Fast forward 18 years.

Annie had earned quite the reputation. She could be cranky, defensive, and downright difficult. Around our farm, we lovingly joked that she was our "hateful hag." We accepted that this was simply who Annie was.

But what if it wasn't? What if that tiny foal who experienced separation from her mother had never truly finished processing what happened?

I created a custom aromatic blend just for Annie to gently support emotional processing and nervous system regulation. As she worked with the blend, something remarkable happened. It was as though her body finally felt safe enough to release a story it had been carrying since the very beginning.

The mare we had known for years began to soften. She became curious. Funny.

Pleasant to work with. She sought connection instead of conflict. Watching Annie transform became one of the experiences that inspired the creation of Safe Haven.

Because sometimes what looks like stubbornness…

What looks like aggression…

What looks like a difficult personality…

…may actually be an old wound that's simply been waiting for the right moment—and the right support—to heal.

Have you ever known an animal whose behavior made more sense once you understood their story? I'd love to hear about them. ❤️

Safe Haven was inspired by Annie's journey. Every animal is unique, and aromatic support should always be tailored to the individual and used thoughtfully as part of a holistic wellness approach.