Earlier this year, SAFE became involved in one of the largest animal welfare cases of 2025. From this case, SAFE took in 11 horses, including two foals. One pregnant mare and her filly remained under close care elsewhere due to the mare’s fragile condition.

From the beginning, the older mare struggled. Despite increased feed, veterinary care, and attentive support, she was unable to gain or maintain weight. Her condition continued to decline, and her pasterns dropped so severely they were nearly touching the ground.

Meanwhile, her filly developed epiphysitis (also known as physitis), a painful inflammatory condition affecting the growth plates of young horses. This causes swollen, warm joints and lameness and is often linked to rapid growth and nutritional imbalance. The condition requires careful dietary management and close veterinary oversight.

Because the filly was receiving excessive nutrition through nursing while the mare remained dangerously thin, the veterinarian recommended immediate weaning so the filly’s diet could be strictly balanced. Despite all efforts, the mare’s condition continued to deteriorate. With a high risk that she could go down and be unable to stand again, the veterinary recommendation—and the kindest option—was humane euthanasia. These are decisions we know all too well, and we understand how quickly such situations can become catastrophic.

At just four months old, the filly was already quite independent. The veterinarian described her weaning as “the most uneventful” they had ever seen. The mare was peacefully euthanized, sparing her further suffering.

On Saturday, amid widespread flooding and road closures across Washington State, a group of SAFE volunteers braved difficult conditions to transport the filly safely to SAFE. She traveled alongside Wednesday, another mare from the original herd, in hopes that she will bond with her new “auntie” and find comfort as she begins this next chapter of her life.

She is the very last of the Valentine’s Day herd.

Our new filly arrives with a name that feels deeply fitting: Marigold Sunset.

In the Victorian language of flowers, marigolds symbolize grief and sorrow. They were often given during times of mourning, their bright colors believed to help ease pain and bring comfort.

It feels right that Marigold joins us now, in the midst of our deepest sadness losing our Paloma. She is a light during a dark time—a small but powerful reminder of hope, healing, and the quiet joy that carries us forward as we mend our broken hearts.