Sand Wash Basin Mustang | Born 2008

One of our original Sand Wash Basin mares, Patsy was making wonderful progress in Great Escape's training program when an unexpected medical crisis changed everything. After a sudden and significant loss of weight, she developed a serious case of colic that required hospitalization at Colorado State University's veterinary hospital.

During her week of treatment, we discovered that Patsy had only one kidney. Although she pulled through, the experience had taken a tremendous toll on her, both physically and emotionally. Between the illness, the stress of hospitalization, and being separated from her familiar companions, she returned home in need of much more than physical recovery.

We knew that being reunited with her herd might be the best medicine of all. Rather than resume training, we made the decision to turn Patsy out onto the sanctuary pasture, where she could recover at her own pace, surrounded by the horses she knew and trusted.

It took nearly six months, but little by little, Patsy regained her strength and returned to herself. Today, she's part of a particularly close-knit trio with fellow Sand Wash Basin mares Faith and Saraswati. The three beautiful gray mares are rarely far from one another, sharing a friendship that has become one of the special relationships within our sanctuary herd.

For Patsy, sanctuary became more than a place to live. It was where she found the comfort, familiarity, and companionship she needed to heal, and where she continues to enjoy life alongside her closest friends.