April 1, 1990 – March 6, 2026

Eulogy by Susan Wagner

Let me just say that writing eulogies for special equines responsible for major events in the history of this organization is always extremely difficult – But this one was so hard that I could not bring myself to do it until now. Broken hearts all around, this one really got to all of us here, and for me, the loss of Rain Man has been truly devastating.

In 1993, a slaughter-bound Thoroughbred/QH Cross Gelding in a zoo and a registered Miniature Horse from Staten Island became the two founding horses of Equine Advocates. The older horse, Gandalf, taught me about the secretive horse slaughter industry in the U.S. and motivated me to start this organization. The mini, Rain Man, who was only three at the time, became Gandalf’s longtime companion. Together, they became the faces of Equine Advocates, which I founded three years later.

From the day these two horses came into my life, they lived in a variety of places, as we did not establish our sanctuary until eleven years later. Unfortunately, Gandalf, who was already aged at that point, passed away in 2003, a year before we moved to Chatham. That really saddened me because I wanted him to live out the rest of his life at the place that he inspired. Rain Man, however, lived not only to enjoy his forever home, but he also became our official greeter. He lived in the very first pasture that everyone entering the sanctuary had to pass by. He was extremely vocal, whinnying to every person who drove in. His unique and endearing vocal qualities were not limited to those entering the sanctuary. He talked all day long – at mealtimes, when you passed by his pasture or barn area without acknowledging him (which made him mad), when he had visitors, whenever you called him, and whenever he had something to say. He was just so cute and funny, and he was just ALL personality!

Since 2004, when we established the sanctuary, I got to see Rain Man every day instead of once or twice a week while I was trying to get this organization off the ground. He was a constant presence in my life for 33 years, which is why when he passed just 26 days ago, I knew that things were never going to be the same.

Today, April 1, 2026, would have been Rain Man’s 36th birthday. In announcing his passing, I would like to acknowledge Janet DeLuca, who was responsible for Rain Man coming into my life at a time when I had no idea what road I would be taking to try to make a difference for horses. He was always there, from Day One, and it is difficult not having him around. I can still picture him every day in the small pasture that he shared with different pasture mates over the years, and I can still hear his inimitable whinny in my mind every time I pass by it.

To help celebrate his long and wonderful life, I selected some memorable photos of Rain Man living at this sanctuary, the home that he loved so much. He will continue to be a source of great inspiration for me as well as for others who knew and loved him.

Susan Wagner
President and Founder