PATRICK
Welcomed to the Sanctuary - May 2023
Across the Rainbow Bridge - December 2024
Donations may be made in Patrick’s name to Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, to help the next equine in need.
“McDreamy”
Today we guided our handsome Patrick over the Rainbow Bridge.
He was many things; proud and flirty and challenging, and in recovery from a life of hard work, with little time to learn to be himself. His arrival followed the death of his longtime owner and driver, and Patrick was to be sold at auction, old and worn out after 22 years. We were happy that circumstances got him to safety at Rosemary Farm, on his wobbly hind legs, with his tension and weird energy. He overcame a lot to get to live here, learning to be out in a field at liberty, and learning to say yes and NO, learning to to be a horse.
Patrick had several names; first he was 'Harley's Flight Diamond', a registered Amerian Saddlebred, but spent the bulk of his life as 'Blackie', a buggy horse. His new name, Patrick, chosen by our supporters, suited him, and retirement certainly suited him. His particular squeal was easy to hear all over the farm, as he flirted with the mares. Squire to Mademoiselle Coco and Ephy all summer, he had most recently charmed Ella, and he made the most of his days.
He was still reactive from his former life, and so any equipment, even a blanket, could cause a strong response, biting and snarling at the human. It often took two people, one calming him at his head (and keeping his teeth at bay) while another person buckled him up, to provide necessary care. This is just one of the scars that a horse bears after too long of a working life, when saying 'no' wasn't an option.
Alas his hind limbs could no longer safely carry him, and as soon as the weather turned, he was in crisis nearly every day. Letting him go with grace and calmness was our last gift to him. We treasure his memory and hope that all his friends, help to send him off with love.
This is Sanctuary. Unlike a rescue that works to get a horse back out the door (which is fine if successful) in sanctuary, we settle in for the long haul, and the final goodbye. We were honored to have been the final home for this proud and beautiful