Poker Dude. A somewhat odd name but an amazing horse and life story...
I absolutely love my horse, Poker Dude. We have both been through a lot over the years, and I am happy to report that life is good and we have many miles ahead for both of us!
Poker Dude was born and raised here in Bozeman, Montana. He was given his somewhat odd name by the breeder. I am sure it has some significance somewhere?!! He is a registered APHA out of an AQHA and TB cross. His attractive dark bay/white tobiano coloring and excellent conformation caused him to be kept a stallion. He has a wonderful disposition that he passed on to his offspring and through his previous owners, he was bred and has many offspring in the Gallatin Valley. For a period, one of his previous owners tried to change his name to "Dark Side of the Moon," but most everyone around here knows him as Poker Dude, the Dude, PD, or Doodles!
Sadly, as a 5 year old, he suffered a skull fracture that was nearly his demise. He ended up in the custody of the late Dr. Dave Catlin, DVM, and then, by a twist of fate, ended up coming to live with me at my boarding facility, R Lazy 5 Horse Boarding. Poker Dude's injuries were so devastating that he had not been able to eat or drink properly and had lost so much weight he looked like a yearling! We weren't even sure he would be able to breed any more, but you could tell he had such a kind soul.
After a year of re-hab, he started to come back to being the stallion he was before. The skull fracture miraculously left him with only a slight tear duct issue and he has otherwise fully recovered. I hand bred him to a dozen mares but spent most of my time riding and enjoying him. I have owned and cared for him since 1999.
Poker Dude had been shown on the Hunter/Jumper circuit in California as well as competed in Dressage at the lower levels. He was an extremely well-behaved stallion and I was able to ride him anywhere without issue. He babysat me after I had some major surgery and together we showed at local dressage shows and events. You could say that I held his hand during his recovery time and he did the same for me.
Poker Dude is one of those incredible horses that are few and far between. You can leave him in the pasture for 6 months and when you go to ride him he is everything he was before. I can put anyone on him and he will take care of them. He will stay under you when you jump and he won't canter if you really aren't ready as a rider. He is a fantastic school master as well as a wonderful riding companion.
I did end up gelding him, simply because it was difficult for him living in a boarding environment and not getting to breed all the mares! I think it was confusing for him as time went on but I will say he is now the happiest gelding on the planet! He loves being with my other horses and has done an excellent job of babysitting my Dutch Warmblood filly over the past couple years.
Poker Dude is happy with me at HolidayHorseCare.com. We have been getting out to do a little trail riding as well as some poker rides and a hunter pace. At 17 he is still in his prime. We have shared a lot of life together and I hope we have lots more to come!