Goodnight Sweet Prince.
Perce was the homeliest Appaloosa I have ever seen. He had a face only a mother could love and the ugliest rat-tail you have ever seen. Perce was very sweet and not too smart. He was patient, kind and rarely stubborn or difficult. The love of Perce's life was a tall chestnut mare named Roxie. He would stand by the gate of the barn if she was still inside and wait for her to be let out, patiently without making a ruckus. Perce was not one of those vocal horses always attracting attention to himself. He was just a regular "Joe".
I only rode him a few times since we usually put beginners on him. What I remember most about Perce is how his coat would shine in the sun. He was never much to look at until the sun came out. He had a copper chestnut coat with a dusting of a snow blanket on his hind end. His summer coat would shine just like a brand new penny.
Apparently, Perce injured his leg one day last week in the pasture. We are not sure what happened exactly but he went down on Friday and couldn't get up. The vet was called but there was nothing they could do for him except be merciful. I was involved in a rescue of Perce a couple of years ago when he stuck his foot through the rungs of the pipe gate. I found him standing there on three legs waiting to be rescued. It took four of us to position him so we could get his foot loose without breaking his leg. I wonder if he did it again but there was no one there to rescue him this time.
Here are some pictures of Perce and one of Roxie. He will be missed.
Perce --He has been rolling in the mud. This winter picture doesn't do his copper coat any justice.
Got any treats?
Waiting patiently.
Roxie