He was a stray, unclaimed and scheduled for euthanasia. His adorable and affectionate nature caught the attention of the shelter staff, they called us begging us to take him…not wanting such a love bug to be destroyed. He was described as… old…probably not sound….but very dear, and most certainly kind. We gulped twice, knowing that another sanctuary horse would add a burden to our already stretched budget. We are a rescue, and in that we take our responsibility…obligation…to save and serve seriously, we hooked up our trailer, and went to bring him home. We named him Wyatt. He loaded like a gentleman, hauled like a pro, and settled in (as if pinching himself daily) like a lost puppy returning to his litter. He whinnied effusively when he saw us coming, like a trumpeter joyfully accenting a song. He nickered continuously when we left, as if pleading for “just one more scratch”. While he had been cruelly tossed aside and left to fend for himself, he came without baggage…and with the elegant and vulnerable ability to love…and be loved. Once he had settled in (and he quickly declared that he was “home”), he gained 280 pounds, a gloss to his coat and a confidence that communicated a happiness that is both subtle and palpable at the same time. While trail worries him a bit, under saddle he is a dream and demonstrates a flexibility to be ridden either English or Western. Certainly in his 18 years (he isn’t old at all….and hasn’t taken an off step since day one) he has somewhere received quite a bit of training, because in addition to being a love bug, Wyatt is both a very solid citizen…and a VERY trained horse. We began to notice him eyeing the jumps in our back arena….not worried….not scared…but with the demeanor of a good guy who has been there and done that. Yesterday Lauren traded her barrel saddle for a donated English saddle, and jumped him over a series of cross poles, small verticals, and small solid boxes. Wyatt didn’t skip a beat…blink an eye…or miss a step. Perhaps we should have named him Dream Date, Mr. Wonderful, or Super Duper….but one thing is clear, this special horse is no longer unwanted, and soon will have a real home of his very home. As for us….we are happy to serve!