Pirate

Pirate, born in 2009, is a Mustang/Quarterhorse mix who was living in Washington State at a breeding ranch. When Pirate was just a year old, the owner’s son was suddenly killed in a tractor accident. In his grief, the owner made a decision to shut down the farm and send 66 horses to slaughter. Along the way Pirate witnessed his whole herd loaded onto a slaughter truck bound for Canada. Fortunately for Pirate, someone saw something special in him and called a local rescue saying he was a beauty and very young, hoping that he could be rescued. A fellow rescue adopted him from Washington State, however, Pirate never learned how to live in a herd and was not a good fit for that rescue. In the Summer of 2011, this young, bright-eyed colt got another chance at a forever home.  Threatened by anything and anyone who came near him, it took time and patience, with natural horsemanship groundwork, to make him comfortable in his new family and to learn his place. We now call him the “Ambassador of Newcomers” because he helps new horses adjust and feel wanted in the herd. He is the passive leader of our herd, followed because other horses want to and not because they fear him.  He has found a special friendship with Sinatra sharing paddocks and being stall neighbors. Pirate is an excellent round pen equine therapy horse and is a favorite among our female clients because he’s very handsome.

In addition to his meals consisting of Hay and Grains, Pirate also receives a dewormer, daily doses of Devils Claw, an anti-inflammatory, and Vermont Pro, a prebiotic/probiotic. Here’s a quick snapshot of the monthly costs to keep this 1,137-pound Gelding happy and healthy at Spirit’s Promise