Date of Birth:  Born in Granite Falls, Minnesota on March 21, 1989

Breed:  Kit is an overo/red roan registered Paint Horse.  We usually think of paint horses as those ridden by Native Americans and characterized by contrasting white and dark color patterns of the coat.  Overos usually have no white extending across the back and their color pattern appears more scattered or splashy.  Roan coloring indicates that white hairs are present in the darker colored portions of the color pattern.  In addition, Kit's pedigree indicates that he is a great grandson of the famous Quarter Horse stallion, 'Impressive'.

How horse came to Ranger:  He went to live at the Base Stables,  Camp Lejeune, NC in 1995.  His 7-year career as a mount in the Officers' riding program came to an end with a veterinarian's diagnosis of navicular disease -- a degenerative disease of the navicular bone of the foot.  He would have been bought for slaughter or euthanized had he not come to live under the careful watch of volunteers at the Ranger Foundation in the fall of 2001.

Interesting characteristics or anecdotes:  Kit is a character.  Surely you have a friend or relative whose personality is so commanding that just his or her entrance into a room makes everyone take notice.  That is Kit.  He hits you with a ton of bricks, or should we say ton of manure when he makes an entrance.  He is literally 'in your face.'  And, it strikes observers that if he could talk, he would say that life is a ball.  

A bit of a handful because he is the Houdini described by the base stable manager...he can get out of things (halters, fly masks, corrals, whatever).  For visitors he can perform an amusing trick.  He can stick out his tongue after someone with a treat in hand tells him to "stick out your tongue", bringing a laugh to whatever audience has gathered.

Look for Kit in the August 2004 issue of the Paint Horse Journal.

Special care needs:  None.

Favorite Ranger Buddies:  Typically Kit pesters his buddies and was living only with Admiral.  But recently he has been pastured with two no-nonsense mares...Patti and Princess.  They are not impressed by Kit's antics.

Sponsorship:  Kit needs a sponsor.