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Paddy

Paddy is a very handsome Thoroughbred who loves people and other horses. He is the male boss of the big horses field and always the first one to the gate to meet visitors. He will often lick and chew peoples clothing then put in a sneaky nip!
He gets along very well with Willow and Tina, who he is stabled next to.

February 08
Paddy is doing well, he has had no health problems at all which is really good considering he is almost 20 years old now.
He isn't at the top of the herd anymore in the field as Hilton had taken over, this is probably be because Hilton is much younger and this is how things would work in the wild. Paddy doesn't seem to mind this though, he just stays back when Molly and Hilton come through the gate then he guides the remaining horses through, so he still has his role to play which keeps him happy.
He has had his teeth rasped and had all his injections, which he was really good for .

May 2007
Paddy is doing great and is very happy and healthy.
He has a new playmate in one of our new horses, Hilton who has taken over Paddy as the tallest horse at the sanctuary standing at 17hh.
As Hilton is only nine years old he still acts very young sometimes and Paddy thinks this is brilliant as a lot of the other horses in the big field are to old to play or are too short to have racing games with.
So Paddy and Hilton can often be seen racing, bucking, rearing, frolicking , laying down to sunbathe in the long grass and sometimes just standing in the shade of the old oak tree just dozing quietly together and perhaps giving one another the odd groom, just to get to the spots that they cannot reach themselves. They make a very happy pair of friends.
Apart from his regular worming, dentist and farrier treatment we have been lucky as he has not needed the vet out for anything else and hopefully things will stay that way, as everybody loves having him around because he is such a happy friendly soul.

July 2006
Paddy is doing well and is looking very shiny and in fabulous condition. He’s
really enjoying the summertime and even became a bit difficult to handle when being turned out in the field a few weeks back, he was so eager to have a gallop he would rear up into the air if the gate wasn't’t opened quickly enough! Thankfully those bad habits didn't’t last too long though. He has done his usual good job at looking after new ponies in the field, this time he made Pearl and Red feel very welcome and now stands by them grazing all day. He got really excitable when they were first let into the field and had a really long galloping episode and was showing off by putting in a few bucks and rears.
He's had his hooves trimmed and been wormed recently and was perfectly
behaved as he always is.He was lucky enough to have a very smart new stable rug bought for him by a fan that has been visiting him for years; it is green & white check and will be used before he needs his really thick stable rug when the nights start to become a little more chilly.

March 06
Paddy is still very well as usual and is a pleasure to care for.
Recently we had our two temporary residents, Pearl & Red in a field adjoining the field where the main big herd live. Paddy was the perfect gentleman and made them feel welcome by sniffing them an grooming them over the fence.
A week later we tried Pearl in the same field as Paddy, as Red had to be kept on the stable yard. Unfortunately Pearl would not settle and stayed at the gate. However Paddy was very sweet and tried to be friends and stood near to her for some time even though Pearl was very grumpy and kept trying to kick him!
We are hoping to try her in the horses field again soon and we're glad Paddy
is there as he is so good at taking care of any new arrivals

January 06
Paddy is doing really well and is in very good health. He had his teeth rasped not long ago and was very good and he didn't even need to be sedated. He was also very good for the farrier as usual.
He is still seen often racing around with Willow but still loves Tina very
much too.
He had a great Christmas with lots of extra treats and was lucky enough to have a gorgeous and stylish new rug bought for him by a fan! The lady and her daughter came in early before he was turned out one morning, gave Paddy
a groom and put on his new Rug. He looked very proud and happy prancing
around in the morning mist with Willow in his new outfit. To see photos see
the 'thank you' page.
 

November 05
Paddy had a visit from the horse dentist on the 9th of November. He was very well behaved considering how unusual it must have felt for him having a heavy gag put in his mouth.
His teeth were found to be in good condition but for a few sharp edges
which were filed down. He also had his tetanus injection and a general check up and was found to be fit and healthy.
We are all really proud of Paddy's good behavior and pleased that he is
healthy and well.
 

October 05
Paddy is still doing very well and seems to have enjoyed this summer, he has done a lot of sunbathing with Molly and has enjoyed the extra time in the field as the horses stayed out 24 hours in the mild weather. He had his hooves trimmed recently and behaved like a gentleman as usual.
He has been ridden a few more times too and he has been very good, he seems to remember how to do everything he was taught years ago and is the
opposite of what we thought he would be, as he is quite lazy and prefers to stand still and rest whenever possible.
He still very much enjoys playing with the Shetland's over the fence and making them squeal and stamp with his nibbling.

August 05
Paddy is doing brilliantly at the moment.
He has been visited by Marie who is a student at learning to Listen (see 'news' section for more info on this) who has begun to re-train him in his ridden work, which he has taken to very well.
We hope this will be the start of his rehabilitation which will lead eventually into a new home for him, leaving his stable free for the next horse we are asked to help.
His friendship with Willow has blossomed too, they are still enjoying an early morning race together, Paddy seems a bit miffed that there is now a horse in his field who can out run him!
 

July 05
 Paddy has had an exciting week as he has begun ridden work again. Our
trainer has ridden Paddy round the sanctuary and he was very pleased with
himself, he walks up to the other horses as if to say 'look at me!'
He was very calm when the saddle was put on and acted as if he was only
ridden yesterday. This is good news for him as it makes him more promising
for re-homing in the future, as he is only a relatively young horse being
only around 12.This will eventually give up a stable for any emergency
rescue cases we would otherwise have had to turn down due to lack of
space.
 Paddy is still the gentleman of the field and has remained best friends
with Willow, who he loves to race with every morning.
 

May 05
Paddy has fallen in love with our new horse, Willow and has been spending the last few weeks grooming her over the fence and making her feel welcome. We are hoping that when we put Willow in the field when she is stronger and healthier, that Paddy will look after her as he is the top male in the field and should protect her.

April 05
Paddy has been behaving very well, he seems to really enjoy the springtime and his coat has a lovely shine to it, making him look even more handsome than usual!
Paddy has had his hooves trimmed and was very calm and enjoyed all the extra attention. Our farrier likes to call him 'Patrick'. Paddy really enjoys meeting the visitors and fumbling around with their clothes until he gets a treat. He is a great favorite with everyone and is always a pleasure to meet first thing on a gloomy morning if you are tired and cold.

May 07

Paddy (on right ) with Shazeke

On the run

Paddy and Eleanor

Paddy at grass

Chieftain and Paddy playing

Paddy at fence