Love is Good
Horse and Rider|Fall 2024
All horses are assured a hopeful, compassionate plan of care at This Old Horse, a program that helps not only horses but people, too.
NANCY TURNER
Love is Good

Patrick Metzger showed up for his first volunteer shift at This Old Horse looking for two things: an opportunity to volunteer for a cause he supported and a hope to become part of a welcoming community that shared his interests.

What he was not seeking-or expecting-was love.

By his own admission, Patrick was struggling with feelings of depression and felt doing something physical and useful might help.

On his first day joining the crew for morning chores at This Old Horse's flagship barn, Wishbone Ranch in Hastings, MN, he was warmly welcomed, fondly embraced and made to feel his help was highly valued and appreciated by the other volunteers. After chores and the post-chore social 'gathering' for snacks and beverages, he was introduced to an old mare named Gypsy and handed a brush.

Patrick spent the next two hours with her. He learned her tragic life story of repeated abandonment, abuse and neglect which had caused her to lose vision in both eyes due to trauma. He also learned how, after being abandoned and left to fend for herself, she was eventually rounded up with a group of wild mustangs.

And yet here she was, nearly 30 years old, calmly munching hay and basking in his comforting care. She accepted his kind touch and soothing voice as he praised her courage, marveling at the strength and will it took her to survive as well as her gentle kindness and reception to him- a stranger-after a lifetime of betrayal at the hands of humans. Imagine such a forgiving heart, she was truly an inspiration.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Fall 2024 من Horse and Rider.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Fall 2024 من Horse and Rider.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من HORSE AND RIDER مشاهدة الكل
The Horse
Horse and Rider

The Horse

LIFE TAKES US DOWN different paths, but I seem to be on just one, which is with the horse.

time-read
2 mins  |
Fall 2024
Decoding the Diseases Examined by AQHA's Six-Panel Test
Horse and Rider

Decoding the Diseases Examined by AQHA's Six-Panel Test

The six-panel test is a diagnostic tool used to assess the genetic predispositions of horses. It's meant to discover if a horse has or is a carrier for certain hereditary diseases and traits.

time-read
4 mins  |
Fall 2024
Love is Good
Horse and Rider

Love is Good

All horses are assured a hopeful, compassionate plan of care at This Old Horse, a program that helps not only horses but people, too.

time-read
4 mins  |
Fall 2024
HORSE PACKING 101
Horse and Rider

HORSE PACKING 101

Take your trail riding to the next level with nature-filled adventures in the back or front country.

time-read
6 mins  |
Fall 2024
NEW HORSE; NEW PROBLEMS
Horse and Rider

NEW HORSE; NEW PROBLEMS

Anew horse can bring excitement and energy to the barn, and even reinvigorate your passion. However, there are also a myriad of new problems that can come with a new horse, so learn how to introduce him properly to avoid these common issues.

time-read
8 mins  |
Fall 2024
First-Timer Tips
Horse and Rider

First-Timer Tips

Heading to a young rider's first event with their horse can be intimidating. Use these myths and truths to make it smoother sailing for yourself and your young rider.

time-read
7 mins  |
Fall 2024
Re-Rescued: Aslan's Story
Horse and Rider

Re-Rescued: Aslan's Story

One special gelding learns about three different types of love during his rescue journey.

time-read
3 mins  |
Summer 2024
The Country's Hottest Horse Motels
Horse and Rider

The Country's Hottest Horse Motels

Take your next trail-riding adventure to the next level by staying at one of these six horse motels across the United States.

time-read
7 mins  |
Summer 2024
Outbreak! What We've Learned
Horse and Rider

Outbreak! What We've Learned

Learn how disease outbreaks in recent years have changed the horse industry, and why it's so important to play your part when it comes to disease prevention efforts.

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2024
TRAINING THE SENSITIVE HORSE
Horse and Rider

TRAINING THE SENSITIVE HORSE

Shift your mindset and grow your sensitive horse's pressure-handling skills to improve his confidence and your riding enjoyment.

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2024