Pat

Pat originally belonged to my great grandfather, the daughter of his horse (Frivolette).  She was ridden twice a year to round up cattle with a rare ride in between.  My parents bought her from my great grandfather for the low price of $750, much less than what he had been offered for her!  

Pat was a wonderful horse who was willing and patient with us children.  A young child could rider her with no fear because she was always extra careful with them.  An older child who was getting a little rough was taught carefully to be kind.  Pat never learned how to buck, so she showed displeasure by lifting one hind leg off the ground while she hopped no more than three inches on the other leg.  Or she would find a low branch to scrape you off on.  If you treated her with respect, she would do anything you asked.

At nineteen, Pat entered the 4H show ring for the first time.  She learned to run barrels, poles, and keyhole for the speed events with never a sign of nervousness entering the ring.  She may have looked slow going in, but she never failed to put in a great time.  She also learned reining, walk trot, western pleasure, and anything else that we wanted to try.  She gave her all each time she entered the ring and won many ribbons in her day.

At twenty one, she became a mother for the first time.  She delivered a healthy filly named Patty.  At twenty four she delivered her second foal, CC (the mare I still own today).  Unfortunately coming home from being bred, her hoof went through the floorboard of the trailer and the injuries sustained made her pasture sound only.  

Pat crossed the Rainbow Bridge at the age of 28 from kidney failure.     

Pat and baby Patty.                                                  My sister riding Pat.

Pat and baby CC.                                                        Pat, Patyt, and CC taken the year Patty and Pat died.