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.

- NANCY TURNER

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.