Patrick had his first foot trim ever this morning.
He surprised us all and did exceptionally well.
No sedation necessary.
We could tell Patrick was frightened, but he was a very brave boy.
Understandably, Patrick doesn’t like having his hind quarters or back legs and feet touched, so we were worried about whether Shorty would be able to trim Patrick’s back feet.
Being the excellent and extremely patient farrier that he is though, Shorty charmed Patrick’s back feet right off the ground.
There was a little kicking initially, but trimming Patrick this morning was a breeze for Shorty compared to trimming Ellsworth once upon a time.
As soon as his trim was done, Patrick went right over to his big brother.
We’re so proud of you both. Our sweet, sweet boys. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Morning Bray Farm 
April 9, 2011 at 3:12 pm
What a good boy! When I am getting a pedicure, I am scared, too, Patrick…. I can’t look at my feet and toes being done at all:))
It’s so heartwarming to see him go to Elsworth for some reassuring :))
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April 9, 2011 at 3:41 pm
You have just MADE my day !
Patrick, bless you, little Prince !! ❤
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April 9, 2011 at 4:16 pm
I can hear the bells ringing from here. Way to go, Patrick!
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April 9, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Hooray for Patrick! Don’t you love farriers who are brave enough and charming enough to work with animals that are frightened and may not be as polite as possible?
On another note: Pippin got nose to nose with Daisy the donkey at the de-spooking clinic. It was fun to see how the horses reacted to Daisy. On her first pass through most of the horses just kinda looked, saying, “Oh, it’s a horse.” On her second pass through most did double-takes – as if to say, “Wait, that’s not a horse. Just what is it?!”
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April 9, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Patrick is just kicking his fears away! It’s amazing what a wonderful new home can do.
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April 9, 2011 at 5:46 pm
I’m so happy for the hairy one. Good boy Patrick !
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April 9, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Bless Patrick’s heart. He did so well. I have been following your blog along with 7MSN. Patrick, I would love to give you a big ear scratch.
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April 9, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Just look at that boy standin’ up on his tippytoes! I bet that feels so good to him!
Poor little Patrick has had a lot of practice being brave when he didn’t have any choice but to be that way…
Good farrier!
Good big brother Ellsworth!
Happy days!
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April 9, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Good Patrick!
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April 9, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Yaaaaay!!! Wow, he’s tiny compared to Worth!
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April 9, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Ellsworth is the best big brudder evah! So happy for Patrick to cross this hurdle with flying colors.
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April 9, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Oh, how they melt my heart. Patrick, you are a trooper. We are having a hoof trimming session within the next two weeks also. Sending some long-eared love allll the way to Morning Bray Farm. Hugs to all those sweet boys! -Tammy
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April 9, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Just goes to show you how much he has come to trust you…. this warms my heart!
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April 9, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Patrick deserves a special treat! Today was a big deal for him I’m sure. Soon he will realize the farrier won’t hurt him. Good boy, Patrick! 🙂
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April 10, 2011 at 12:39 am
Are there stories about carrots whispered in Patricks ears? What a brave sweet donkey! Great job from all!
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April 10, 2011 at 6:15 am
Sedation is for sissies, that’s what the other guys told him.
His auntie winter is quite proud. Please give him an extra scratch from me today.
🙂
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April 10, 2011 at 7:37 am
Anything is easier to handle when Daddy is there, holding you and talking nice to you…..
That Don is such a good guy……
🙂
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April 10, 2011 at 7:54 am
Hooray for Patrick! Hooray for Shorty!
I hear finding a good farrier is quite the accomplishment. Wonder if Shorty would make house calls in Colorado?
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April 10, 2011 at 8:08 am
So glad that Patrick’s hooves are filed and fixed so he can walk around like a proud Prince! The last picture is such a touching one for me…
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April 10, 2011 at 8:59 am
What a brave boy!
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April 10, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Don’t worry Patrick. If you get scared Dad will cup his hand over your eye so you don’t have to see what’s going on back there.
Now what about Nigel ? Is his first hoof trimming going to be tomorrow’s post ?
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April 10, 2011 at 6:56 pm
gazelle,
I wish that was tomorrow’s post, but it isn’t. We’re still working on getting a halter on sweet Nigel. He’s not there yet, but he’s definitely making progress. 🙂
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April 10, 2011 at 6:47 pm
After the life he has had, the trim must have been a relief in many ways! Another day of trust. Check.
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April 11, 2011 at 8:21 am
And it’s a good lesson for Patrick because hopefully in time he’ll learn that people can touch his back feet and there’s no pain involved. He did very well, so happy for him. 🙂
Suzanne
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April 11, 2011 at 10:43 am
Animals know. He knew he was in good hands and that no harm would come to him there. Shorty sounds like a saint and the perfect man for that job.
How adorable are the two of them standing there together!!
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April 15, 2011 at 10:25 pm
Aww that’s fantastic! I’m glad he did so well! Zep needs his trimmed so bad because they are starting to grow out into slippers and split, but he was raised his first three years with little human contact and I’ve had him for a year and am just now able to touch him. I don’t want to push him too quickly and scare him. Patrick did fantastic!
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