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Who would have thought
an empty feed bag could become part of an exercise program for
a horse? At Trinity Stables
in Brooksville, Florida, the Petrizzis never have to worry about
their 4-year-old liver chestnut Paso Fino stallion, Rebelde de
Resorte, (affectionately kn own as “Papi,”) getting
enough exercise each day. Believe it or not, one of Papi’s
favorite activities is running around the pasture and playing with
a feed bag! Just toss an empty Seminole Gold Chance 10 feed bag
over the fence to Papi, and he’s off like a bandit.
“
His name definitely fits him,” says Barbara Petrizzi, owner
of Papi, with a laugh. She explains that his registered name translates
into “Rebel of spring.”
As the 14-hand stallion runs and plays in the humid June afternoon,
Barbara and her daughter, Michelle Smyly, recall how nine months
ago, Papi had never walked through the powdery sand or basked in
the warmth of the sun. Most importantly, the poor guy had no strength
to run and play. But that was before the Patrizzis came into the
picture. Fateful Day
Back in September 2002, Barbara agreed to go along with a friend
on a casual trip to look at a mare for sale, never imagining
she would purchase a horse as well. When they arrived at their
destination, they were shocked to find the sale horses in horrific
conditions. According to Barbara, the horses had not been out
of their stalls in two years, and had been on a diet of goat
feed and little or no hay.
Barbara knew immediately she had to save the stallion, Papi, who
was cowering in the corner of his stall. She went home that day,
vowing to find a way to rescue him.
Barbara, a water treatment business owner, already had two other
horses and really could not afford another. However, she talked
with her husband, Robert Petrizzi, and the couple made a decision.
When Barbara’s friend went to pick up the other mare, they
would buy the stallion as well.
“He didn’t hate people, he just didn’t know how to act around
them,” Barbara says as she talks about her first encounter with Papi.
When they finally brought the young stallion into the sunshine, Barbara realized
she had her work cut out for her. He was sever ely underweight and covered in
mange. His mane and tail were knotted and gnarly.
Barbara immediately placed him on a diet of Seminole Gold Chance 10. Since
his arrival at Trinity Stables, he has gained more than 200 pounds. She credits
Seminole Feed and a regular feeding schedule for putting weight on and the
life back into Papi.
She also likes how Seminole Gold Chance 10 keeps weight on Papi and the other
five horses at Trinity Stables. In addition to her business, Barbara also manages
the stable, trains, boards outside horses and gives lessons.
So how did the Petrizzis discover Papi’s unusual love for Seminole feed
bags? Their daughter, Michelle, says she was out at the barn feeding one evening
when she noticed Papi playing with sticks. As he was running and playing with
sticks, she wondered what he would do with the empty feed bag in her hands.
She never thought it would be his claim to fame.
The mischievous and playful stallion craves attention. With the love and patience
from Barbara and her family, today the stallion is easily caught, handled and
ridden. As his coat glistens in the afternoon sun, his eyes sparkle as he tosses
the feedbag in the air and takes off across the pasture.
 Jeanie
Long is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor
of science in agricultural communications. While at UGA, she was
an active member of the rodeo team,
Block and Bridle Club and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. She plans to
attend graduate school next spring to study agricultural leadership.
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