On Tuesday, March 5, Senator Dan Hall (R-Burnsville) introduced legislation to designate Dan Patch as the official horse of Minnesota.
An item by the Minnesota State Republican Caucus explains that, if adopted, Dan Patch would join 18 other state symbols in law, immortalizing him and preserving an amazing part of Savage’s history.
“Tell me the name of a greater horse, or any horse, that represents Minnesota better than Dan Patch,” Senator Hall has been quoted as saying. “As a young horse, Dan Patch was noticed for his friendly personality, but had issues that many believed would prevent him from becoming a successful pacer. They thought he had no potential, but there was somebody that believed in him. I think that speaks to the experiences of a lot of us in Minnesota. It takes somebody in our life to believe in us.
“Despite Dan Patch’s abnormal physical stature for a racing horse was an achiever on the racetrack. Again, this represents the willingness of the people of Minnesota to look deeper than what is seen of the surface, and not judge anyone based simply by their appearance.”
A similar Republican push for Dan Patch to be anointed Minnesota’s official state horse took place in March of 2018.
(With files from the Minnesota State Republican Caucus)