Pickle is quite literally the kindest living creature I have ever met. There is not a single poor intention in that creatures body. Pickle got his name from a neighbors kiddo who couldn't quite say Pickwick, so he talked about "Pickle" and it just stuck. I didn't understand why gypsy horses were so popular until I met Pickle. I thought it was just about all the hair. It's not. This breed is just so kind and tolerant. They were bred by the Gypsy people to pull their carts, called vardos, and they lived right alongside the Gypsy people. It was essential that even a breeding stallion was safe around the children and calm under carting scenarios in traffic. While Iberian horses are my first pick as a breed in general and for this particular type of equine assisted work, I cannot imagine not having a gypsy in my therapy herd. Their ability to stay calm and grounded, and lend that to others is just hard to beat. 

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Pickle belonged to a lovely man who lived near Seattle. He did a LOT of backwoods trail riding and is the safest horse I have ever ridden. He helped his owner pack out deer and they shared many trails with the mans wife and her gypsy horse. His wife became unable to ride and sold her horse. Pickles owner felt Pickle was a bit lonely so he donated Pickle to our program. At a point when I really had too many horses and my wonderful friends over at Forward Stride truly needed him for their important work, I lent him to them and eventually donated him to their program. We do miss Pickle but he has such a hugely important role over at Forward Stride and we get to see him whenever we need a Pickle fix. Out therapist Lexy got to give her son a pony ride on Pickle at the annual Forward Stride camp this year! 

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