Dispatch from Allie Rutledge, Horse Trainer/Wrangler on our Work Crew, Patagonia Frontiers
Two year ago, Taragüí’s future was uncertain. Today, he’s thriving in the heart of Patagonia’s wild frontier.
Only a year ago, Taragüí was battling "dummy foal syndrome" and too weak to stand on his own. His survival was uncertain.
Although he started off small and frail, by fall Taragüí had grown into an impressive young representative of the hearty Chilean Criollo breed. His big belly and thick coat were perfect for his first Patagonian winter.
Taragüí is famous for his comatose naps and award-winning smile.
"Do you think we’ll make him harder to train by spoiling him too much?"
This was a common question from the 2024-25 work crew whenever we gathered for one of our customary sessions to scratch, cuddle, and generally dote on baby Taragüí. (His name, Taragüí — drawn from the Guaraní word for homeland — suited him from the start.) When the crew first arrived at the ranch, Taragüí was a sick, fragile newborn foal with uncertain chances of survival (see our June 2024 blog, Horse Rescue in Patagonia).
When people asked if we were spoiling him, our reflexive answer was always “no.” There are ways to spoil a foal – like letting it get away with biting or kicking, behaviors that are normal in horse-to-horse communication but unacceptable between horse and human. Fortunately, Taragüí was never much inclined toward bad habits, and when he was corrected for the occasional playful nibble, he learned quickly.
Crew member Maria Makman and horse wrangler Allie Rutledge give Taragüí his daily dose of love and attention.
Taragüí has won the hearts of every guest at the ranch.
As for the hats, jackets, and general attention? They doubled as a kind of unconventional desensitization training. To a young horse, a knit hat isn’t too different from a halter. A jacket draped over his back isn’t far off from a saddle blanket. A big hug around his belly mimics the pressure of a cinch.
Taragüí wears many hats—literally. His favorite might be this custom-crocheted cap with perfectly placed ear holes.
After growing up sporting hats, wearing a halter was a natural next step for Taragüí.
At Patagonia Frontiers, all of our horses are touched, handled, and taught from a young age to be respectful and confident around people. Taragüí simply received that treatment to the extreme.
One year ago, Taragüí was lying in a makeshift hospital bed, unable to stand without assistance. Today, just past his second birthday, he’s sturdy, strong, and excelling at every new training challenge. He calmly accepts halters, lead ropes, saddle blankets, and anything else we introduce. It will be a couple more years before he’s fully grown and ready to carry a rider. But when the time comes, we have no doubt he’ll be a reliable and beloved ride and pack horse for many seasons to come.
If you visit the ranch in the coming season, keep an eye out for Taragüí—our spirited young prince of Lago Plomo. He’s a living reminder of the resilience, beauty, and heart that define life here in Patagonia.
We are currently booking programs for the upcoming season and invite you to contact us to plan your adventure.
Allie Rutledge, Horse Trainer/Wrangler
Founded in 1999, Patagonia Frontiers connects people with wilderness through education, conservation, and adventure. We offer education and mountaineering programs as well as multi-day trekking, horseback trips, and climbing in the heart of Chilean Patagonia.