How Patches, the unwanted foal in dire need and I came together

Since I just shared The Ride story, I want to share how Patches, the little unwanted foal in dire need and I came together.  My previous horse went blind, but a lady looking for a companion for her blind horse in a safe facility, was thrilled our mutual vet told her about Havilla, so I donated Havilla to her.  I then began looking for a foal to raise and have for its' lifetime.

The farm where I boarded my horses for years was a beautiful place, owned by brothers who could be tough with their horses.  One day Paul called me, to say he had found the perfect foal, a registered six month old Quarter horse colt, he put in the box stall at the farm.  Then he warned me, "The man threw in this three month runt of a foal for me to get rid of, and it is in the stall too.  BE CAREFUL!  It's dangerous!  It took four of us and a lot of beer to finally get him!"  My heart immediately went out to the "dangerous runt."

I rushed to the farm and found the lovely fancy colt and the "dangerous runt," who had just been ripped away from his mama by four loud beer drinking men, with a heavy long rope tied around his neck, looking very dejected.  As I slowly entered the stall the "runt" began to back up, but I stepped on the rope.  He trembled.  I whispered I was only going to stroke his forehead, so he could end the day by being touched GENTLY.  He relaxed.

From the barn phone, I called Paul.  "I'm taking the 'runt!'"  He kindly replied, "What?!!  You're crazy!!!  He's dangerous I tell you!"

I said, "I'm taking him anyway!  Besides, you will have no trouble selling the fancy colt, and I will save you the trouble of taking the "runt" to slaughter."

"I still think you're making a huge mistake you'll regret!" he said.

"I'm taking him anyway.  How much?"

The next day I took sweet feed and grooming stuff with me.  The "runt" began to back up, then stopped, and didn't tremble.  While he ate, I gently groomed him, with no sign of any fear or "danger" at all.

Patches was a white pony with palomino patches, hence the name I immediately gave him, so he would not be known as "the runt."

Day three, he nickered when he saw me.

I needed to get him out of the dirty, dusty stall.  Told Paul I was turning him out.  

"What?!!  You're crazy!  You'll never be able to catch him again!"

"Don't worry," I said.  "We've got this."

I turned him out.  Day four, I arrived and found Patches on a hill.  I called him.  He stared intently.  When I went up to him, he made no attempt to run.

On day five when I called him, he neighed and came running TO me!  The "dangerous runt" was mine...and we became very VERY close.  They know when they are in danger and they know when they are safe.  Love grew Patches into a much larger pony than was expected.

When Patches was a little over a year old, I put lead shanks on each side of his halter one day.  Got on him, and simply began riding him.  THAT was all it took!

One day Paul happened to come along and see me riding Patches.  He stammered, "You're RIDING him!  How did you...I...I can't believe this!"

"Yep!  This is the 'dangerous runt' bound for slaughter.  Still think I'm crazy?!!"