Emma Dean, a mare rescued from Lake Powell, has moved into a new home in Blanding, Utah. According to a November 5 report, the mare is now settling into her new pasture alongside a companion named Lichee.
The rescue of Emma Dean and her foal, Marina, occurred in June 2023 when they were trapped by rising water on a sandy beach at Lake Powell. The location was 80 miles east of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Because the beach was inaccessible by land, a rescue team including the National Park Service and Best Friends utilized a boat to transport a horse trailer. The rescue operation lasted 14 hours and required Emma Dean to be sedated due to her protective nature toward her foal.
Following the rescue, Emma Dean was taken to the Sanctuary to recuperate. While her foal Marina was later adopted with two other horses, Emma Dean required specialized care at Horse Haven, the Sanctuary's home-between-homes for barnyard animals. Caregivers worked to build the mare's trust by spending time with her, teaching her to wear a halter, and helping her learn to walk calmly into a trailer.
Rebecca Stoneman of Blanding, Utah, adopted the mare after spotting her on the Best Friends website. Stoneman, who has had horses her entire life, was looking for a companion for her horse, Lichee. Stoneman described the opportunity to meet the mare as feeling like meeting a celebrity after following the rescue story in the news.
Emma Dean and Lichee now share a feed tub and pasture in Blanding. Stoneman noted that the mare requires consistency, security, and kindness to build her confidence. The mare has become more curious and attentive, often appearing at Stoneman's side when she is working with a wheelbarrow.
