AGE: May 7, 2013

BREEDING: Bring the Heat - Happy Valentine, by Pulput

RACING STATS: Did not race

SEX: Gelding

HEIGHT: 16.2 hh

ABOUT: Patrick Swayze came to Akindale in 2019 as part of a neglect case involving several other horses. When he first arrived, he needed some groceries and TLC, but once he started putting weight back on, we began his retraining. It didn't take long to realize what a special horse we had. Patrick was incredibly willing, always tried his hardest, and was just an all-around good boy.

That fall, we decided to take Patrick to Equine Affaire to show him off and hopefully find him a wonderful home. To say he was fantastic would be an understatement! Between the crowds, unfamiliar horses, carriages, flags, and just about anything else you could imagine coming at him, there was plenty to take in. And to top it all off, it was snowing! Patrick handled the entire experience like an absolute professional, taking everything in stride and showing everyone just how wonderful he was.

Our hopes came true, and Patrick was adopted! Unfortunately, the following spring, he developed an infection in his leg that turned into a serious case of cellulitis. His adopter did not have the financial means to provide the treatment he needed, so Patrick returned to Akindale, where we were able to get him the veterinary care he required.

After recovering, we began bringing him back into work, but all the medications he had needed during his treatment had taken a toll, and he developed ulcers. We treated those as well and decided Patrick deserved some time off to fully recover.

Patrick ended up spending the next few years enjoying life in our sanctuary before we brought him back into the training program this fall. And in true Patrick fashion, he picked up right where he left off, as if he hadn't missed a day! Unfortunately, Patrick apparently had a little too much fun playing in the field and managed to give himself a bone bruise, earning himself yet another vacation.

Through all his ups and downs, one thing about Patrick has never changed: his love for people. He is always one of the first horses to come greet you and absolutely adores attention. He has the biggest, sweetest head that he would happily let you hold all day long. Sometimes we think he would prefer you just stand there holding his head rather than do anything else!

Patrick is one of those horses who reminds us why we do what we do. No matter what life has thrown his way, he continues to be the same kind, willing, and affectionate horse we met back in 2019. We hope his next chapter will be a little less eventful, but in the meantime, he's perfectly happy soaking up all the love and attention he can get.