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FEBRUARY | MARCH 2023 • MONTANA SENIOR NEWS ALL ABOUT MONTANA 9

to be Capt. Sean “Skip” Nicholls, Culver’s
director of horsemanship. When he finished
talking, she started talking.
“I said, ‘I’m with a nonprofit.’ And he
thought, ‘Oh, she wants money.’ I said,
‘I don’t want money. I just want to know
if you ever have one of your larger horses
who’s healthy and needs a real cushy
retirement job being walked around and
pampered by kids.’
“I said, ‘I just want to give you my
brochure.’ ”
“He said, ‘Wait a minute. I’ve got a horse.’ ”
That is when Nicholls walked Karman
downstairs to the stables and introduced her
to Patton, one of the most beloved horses
in the Culver herd. Patton has taken part Members of Culver Academies horsemanship program gather to see Patton off to his new home. Photo
in four presidential inaugural parades, but courtesy culver Academies.
Culver is upgrading its herd and Patton was
ready to retire. about 1,700 pounds. He will have no prob- in Team Roman Riding, even jumping small
“He’s been a great all-around horse lem carrying large students. obstacles with riders standing upon his back
and a favorite with the kids,” Nicholls “It’s like riding a couch,” Karman said. in his younger years,” she said.
said. “He’s dependable in all scenarios. “He’s perfect for kids who have no core She said he was willing to always trust all
He’s great for beginner riders. He’s good stability because he’s patient and has this who gave him kindness, care, and patience.
for intermediate riders. He’s terrible for big, huge, wide back. It’s almost like having “His favorite treat has always been
advanced riders because he is lazy.” a support chair.” molasses horse cookies, and he would smack
He will be the ideal horse for Karman’s Renata Heinsen ’92 SS’89, an instructor his lips and salivate like Pavlov’s dog as you
program, which works with people of var- of horsemanship, said Patton has “come to were retrieving them from pockets to give
ied physical, emotional, cognitive and be revered as the ‘grandpa’ of the stables, to him,” she said. “This was always a sight
social abilities. Her horses are less than and he tells his stories through his calm that made all giggle.”
15 hands tall and weigh about a thousand demeanor as a steady mount for first-time Karman is hoping to find a sponsor to
pounds. She needed a horse that could students and parade riders continually over help pay to feed Patton, who has a voracious
carry teenagers that weigh between 190 the years.” appetite. But she is elated to have him.
and 250 pounds. “In the Rough Riding program, Patton “It’s just been one miracle after another,”
Patton is a breed of draft horse called a brought confidence and balanced riding she said. MSN
Percheron that is 17 hands tall and weighs skills to all levels of riders and was a favorite Reprinted with permission from Culver Academies.