I first learned about Patrick after receiving a phone call from Kelsey, a fellow horsewoman in Washington state. She had gotten a call from a trainer about a yearling colt that was going to be put down because no one could handle him. The owner was very upset, and would Kelsey be willing to take the colt. My part in this is, Kelsey is supposed to move here to go to college, and is bringing her horses with her. I had planned on taking two horses, not three. I told her to find out more, and to let me know.
Kelsey's email;
Okay, talked to Joan last night & got the scoop on Patrick. He's a yearling bay gelding, she says he's the prettiest baby they've ever bred (and they've bred national & world champ horses). He is a panicaholic. He's stuck in a stall with a halter & 2 leadropes 24/7, since they cant catch him. He hasn't been pastured since he was baby. If you let him go, he'll run right through fences. Bolts through the lead rope. He's never had his feet done without being drugged, and they are long right now.
Soooo.... She's okay with him going to KS, but she wants him worked with before, which is better since I can do UDT in stall and work on leading in round pen. Let me know what you think.
Of course, this left this colts life in my hands. I say bring him, he lives. You probably know the answer to that, already. Our problem was how to pay a shipper to move him from Washington state to Kansas. I haven't an extra penny, and am doing good just to pay the bills. Kelsey is 18 and has no money. I have been able to raise 180.00 for his shipping. We will need about 1100.00, and so I am on a mission. It's not that much money, not really. If everyone can give a little, Patrick will find his way home and have a wonderful, long, life. I hope after reading his story, you will find it in your heart to help. I'll keep you up to date on his progress, and hope if you can, you will help us, help him.
Ron & Joan arrived with Patrick arrived last night after a 6 1/2 hour trailer ride..
I got a peek at him in the trailer, a little bay with a star and wide, terrified eyes, frantically looking around. Ron put on his heavy duty leather gloves to unload him (oh dear), and after lots of "Whoas!" and thuds, they scrambled out the trailer.
He was absolutely terrified walking into the barn, walking on his tippy-toes and crouched down down like a cutting horse. He's in good body condition, and shiney, but his feet are in bad shape. Of course, his stall is at the very end of the barn, but we made it, and he leapt in and imediately quieted a little. Ron took off his chain and his two lead ropes, and asked if I wanted to keep his halter on.
"Nope"
"You sure?"
"Yep"
"you won't be able to catch him"
"I'm sure"
I'm sure Patricks had a halter on since he was weaned- he has white scars behind his ears and the hair that's on his nose is turning white.
Heidi got him a little flake of hay and he went to work on it, snatching a bite and sticking his head out and peering around. He was still wide eyed & jumpy, but he was going to town on his hay, so that was a good sign.
I got my chair and my book, and settled into the corner. I was ignoring him, and he was peering at me inbetween bites of hay- not fearful, but curiously. After about a half hour, he inched over and sniffed the book, then jumped back when the pages crinkled. A few minutes later he's back, snuffling all over, from my shoes to my hair- he likes hair.
All of the sudden, I'm not so scary. He's licking and chewing and yawning, and letting me rub his neck. I stood up to stretch, and find his itchy spot under his mane. Bingo!!! I ended on that note for last night.
I think that hidden under his RBE'ness, there's a LBE. He reminds me of the chesnut arab that was at the Redmond tour stop last year. I think it's on a SC dvd...?
Kelsey
