Update on Patrick, Our Saddlebred Rescue

You probably know Patrick's story by now. If you haven't read it yet, you can follow this link, www.DressYourHorse.com-Meet-Patrick. He's definitely a horse worth knowing, enjoying and having around. To top it all off, he's easy on the eyes.

As the holidays roll around again, I reflect on the horse he was when he first came to us to the present and the horse he has become. True, The Old Gray Mare does not ask Patrick to win blue ribbons, or for speed, for show brilliance, for hard work '" rather, he is asked to be a good friend and companion. He is expected to have excellent manners, respond to kindness, enjoy human companionship, exhibit safety around youngsters and generally act like a good horse citizen. He has adapted so well into his present role that, to us, the word "pleasure" is synonymous with "Patrick."

Gone is the absurdly skittish horse that would not permit a head rub or pat on the cheek. He loves his grooming sessions and behaves rather well for the farrier. Miracle! '" He permits a total body vacuuming and, most incredibly, he stands still without excessive fidgeting to get his muzzle whiskers shaved. The Old Gray Mare does accommodate him by not shaving the inside of his ears; Patrick considers that like a dark and looming terror. Somewhere in his past, the facial grooming and trimming must have struck an unforgettable fear into him. The good news is that progress is being made here as well since he readily permits ear stroking and the occasional scissoring.

Patrick's stall manners are impeccable. He is so clean that stall mucking chores are a breeze. He has one spot for liquids and, close by, another for solids. That alone has many benefits associated with it '" his sheets and blankets stay almost spotless, his hooves stay cleaner, and he saves us tons of money on bedding.

One thing especially worth noting is how well he actually wears his horse blankets. They stay put. He enjoys a good roll in and out of his stall yet his blankets stay perfectly in place. He's The Old Gray Mare's horse, after all, so he is a horse "fashionista." Patrick wears a sheet or blanket all the time. This is the horse that was difficult to approach, groom, or cuddle '" now he stretches his head down to allow the heavy winter blanket to go over his head. He'll even permit the blanket to rest on his head and over his eyes as the clumsy humans tending him position the horse garment. (Yep, gotta get a picture of that some time!)

He's a gentleman on the lead rope, lunges like a champion, plays like a colt, and thoroughly loves being the center of attention. Most notable is that Patrick is a talker. This horse has a huge horsy vocabulary. He whinnies for his food and acknowledges visitors with knickers, chuckles and humming. His language is actually difficult to describe. Suffice it to say that he has more tones, loud and muffled, than all of my previous horses put together.

His talking even extends to his "watch-horse" duties. Patrick's stall window opens to the driveway and he is both greeter and sentinel '" self appointed '" and nothing goes unnoticed. He sounds a loud and specific alarm at those he does not know. Family and friends get a specific horsy chuckle and The Old Gray Mare, his favorite human, gets a welcome that is unique. The horse and human can engage in a soft wickering communication for quite a long time with or without food incentive. Patrick loves to talk, plain and simple.

This extraordinary horse responds with loving affection, wickers, and plainly put, the horse's version of adoration. In short, he gets it!

It is said that animals repay kindness threefold '" Patrick is living proof! He is one loving and amazing horse companion. And please contact us if you recognize him. We have still not found any history.

The moral of this real-life story? Give a needy horse the chance at a good/better/best life. Patrick is our living proof that the rewards are immeasurable.

This story and other horse and nonhorse articles written by The Old Gray Mare are found on www.DressYourHorse.com.