The first Bob story
Bob was not a brave horse. He would snort and shy during shedding season when he saw his hair on the aisle floor. Last month the light switch for his stall broke (oh, because he likes to rub his neck on the box and get his itchy spot). I took a small penlight, the size of my little finger, into his stall to check his waterer. Thank goodness I had him out of the stall when I turned it on because apparently he thought it was some giant searchlight alien beaming down on him. Freak out. However, the tractor could drive under his nose and he didn't care. We did dressage, aka ballet on horseback. He was a natural, far more talented a mover than I am a rider. He wasn't easy to ride--I had to ask for everything, but when he gave, it was beautiful. He was stunning to watch move in the pasture. He had a great sense of humor. He had a group of friends he liked to pester. Pester just enough to be ever so slightly annoying. He would hold someone's tail in his teeth. Not pull back, but just hold, so that when that someone walked away he couldn't get far. He liked to face fight and was doing that Sunday just before he couldn't do it any longer. His face was always bright and happy and a joy to see peeking out of his stall. He was incredibly good natured. He took treats good, just used his lips. Never tried to nip or kick. Walked nicely beside me, never pulled. I could walk him on the end of the lead rope like a dog. 28 is a good long life for a horse. Anything over 25 is a gift from God. He lived at the same barn the whole time I had him and it is a perfect barn for horses. Not so much for people, but the way the barn is run it is optimal for horses. We have several horses in their late 20s and early 30s. We refer to it as the Del Webb of boarding barns. I know I did the right thing. I never wanted him to be in pain or suffer. I never wanted his last day to be his worst. I'm not second guessing myself at all. I knew it would hurt, but I didn't know it would hurt this much. My refuge, either during happy times or sad times, was always the barn. And now it isn't. I can smile through my tears though. |
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Quote: I know I did the right thing. I never wanted him to be in pain or suffer. I never wanted his last day to be his worst. I'm not second guessing myself at all. I knew it would hurt, but I didn't know it would hurt this much. My refuge, either during happy times or sad times, was always the barn. And now it isn't. I can smile through my tears though. WE both did the right thing, as painful as it is, it would have been much more painful to watch their suffering. Thank you for the lovely memory of Bob...I have always wanted a horse, partly because they seem to have a special soul, I think it is their eyes, they can see into you and understand. And partly because they live much longer than our furkids....although Heart was here for only 6 short, but very full years, I cannot imagine what it would have been like to have her for 28 years!!!! And also, the loss would be that much more. I am sorry that you had to lose Bob. I love hearing about him and how much he loved you and you, him. I know that Heart and Bob are both at the Bridge, talking about us right now. And I would give anything to see Heart in all her bling, riding on Bob's back, passing all the sheepies with big smiles on their faces....  |
| What a wonderful story of Bob. I learned two things. 1. I didn't know that one horse would grab another horses' tail. 2. That horses "face fight". It sounds like Bob had a great personality. How lucky you and Bob were to have had each other for 28 yrs, I know it also makes it harder when they are gone. Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful story of Bob The Wonder Horse. |
| Thank you for Bobs story, he was one luck pony to have found such a lovely lady xx |
| I love that a tiny penlight set him off. What a funny horse. |
| Thanks for sharing this with us. I would love to see some video of Bob doing his dressage. I am always amazed at the skill of the horse and the rider and how they work together to produce such elegance. |
bekalm wrote: I love that a tiny penlight set him off. What a funny horse. It was amazing what would set him off. He didn't like to trail ride much because there were THINGS out there. We did have a favorite path but sometimes there were VIOLETS alongside the grass and that was. not. good. He noticed any small change in his environment. He was in small barn with 4 stalls, 2 on the left and 2 on the right. His was the last stall on the left. Ordinarily there was a bucket kept at the back of the barn. One day it was moved 2 feet to the right and he would not go in the barn until it was put back in its proper position. People think I make this stuff up but we had witnesses! He hated and feared redwing blackbirds. Other birds were fine (except crows but they didn't come around much). He'd be eating grass, quiet and happy as could be, but as soon as he heard the cry of a RWBB, his head was straight up and he was on high alert. We had pigeons dive bomb us while riding, going between his ears, and he was fine. But God forbid a RWBB come around. He loved cats. He would put his nose on them and snuffle them and follow them around. One day he spent a fair amount of time nosing the black cat off the fence. Cat would climb on fence, Bob would nose him off. Repeat for hours. He loved me, and the barn manager and his massage therapist, but was mildly indifferent to everyone else. He would always frisk you just in case you were packing carrots. I have no recent footage of us riding. The last video taken of us having a lesson was in 2001. YIPES. It's hard for me to watch (even when he was alive) because he was a far better mover than I am a rider. I always believed that under the right rider he would have been spectacular. |
Your memories are returning  I enjoy reading about Bob. He was quite a character. I had no idea horses were so personable. How exactly did you find Bob and give him his name? |
| I was hoping to see some Bob stories. I feel like I can actually connect with horse stories now. Such beautiful, soulful creatures. When your ready visit the rescue website, the pictures will make you smile. If your ever on Facebook friend me, I always post pictures after my visits. http://www.starryskiesequinerescueandsanctuary Grief is a long process, you'll be able to look back soon and remember the wonderful times you and Bob had together. Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
| I can't imagine the pain you are feeling with your loss of Bob after living to 28 years old. Horses are beautiful animals, there is no doubt about it. I chuckled when you said he didn't like the red winged blackbirds. I always look forward to them coming back and I know that spring is here...love their song. I am sorry about your loss of Bob. May your heart heal soon. |
| Thank you for the Bob story, he sounds like he was a wonderful friend to you. |
| He was always a considerate horse. In the 25 years I had him, he never kicked even if startled. He didn't like having his privates cleaned (which need to be done every 6 months) so would lift his leg as if to kick when he felt enough was enough. In later years I think he enjoyed it. It was one place he could never scratch. I say he wasn't brave, but he was brave at the end. He had to be put down in the front of the barn due to ice, and he was stalled at the other end. He was always extremely cautious going out the front door of the barn. There was a small step down of about 4 inches. He would put one foot over, then the second front foot, hesitate, and take his time with his backs, and always slid a skoosh. However, his final walk out was perfect. One, two, three, four steps, never a hesitation, never a second glance. He wasn't faking it, he WAS brave. For me. He knew he had to be strong for me. Another story: One evening the owner of the horse in the next stall left her horse's stall guard up. Bandit reached over, undid Bob's stall's latch, and Bob worked open his stall door. He spent the night wandering outside the back of the barn. Next morning barn manager comes out and hears a horse walking around. Who peeks in to see if breakfast was ready? Yep, Bob. Bob never associated with the riff raff. He had one or two good buddies and kept out of the way of the true troublemakers. His best friend for years was Admiral. They would walk in cadence together, side by same, same legs moving together. The day Admiral died, Bob walked into Admiral's stall and wouldn't leave. He spent the night in his friend's stall. He never bonded as deeply with any other horse. Damn it! |
| How wonderful that Bob has someone who knows this much about him! Not every horse is so lucky. Hold onto the fact that you gave him a great life and loved him enough to let go. You truly did it for him, not for you. You grieve as you grieve, no explanations or apologies are needed to anyone. |
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| Wonderful stories about a wonderful horse. |
| Thankyou for sharing your stories of Bob. I'm sure it's still very bitter sweet to do so right now. I had minimal interactions with horses even though I grew up in a country town. But I always loved the horses with a sense of humor the best. They played such funny tricks and I swear you could see their faces change 'cause they were laughing. Wishing you a peaceful heart and happy memories. |
| Bob was so full of personality, no wonder you called him The Wonder Horse. I really love your stories of Bob. Thank you so much for sharing him with us, we are truely honored. I've not had much contact with horses. My uncle had a Shetlan pony ranch when I was young and we would go there for a week every other Summer. I usually rode on the horse that just walked around the barn on the outside in circles. lol My grandaughter Payton is becoming an accomplished rider. She's a teenager now, but still takes lessons and rides weekly...just has such a love of horses. |
Aw Paula! Such wonderful stories of your beautiful guy! He was so lucky to have you and vice versa. I'm crying for you and all the beautiful memories you shared with him. I had to laugh about the red winged blackbirds. In 6th grade, I was attacked by them and am terrified of them until this very day. If I see one, I freak out and duck for cover. Maybe Bob was attacked by their beaks at some point in his life to make him despise them so much  xoxo |
| I love your Bob stories, and I can relate to all the weird quirks. I was always a horse crazy girl, and our 1st horse when I was about 11 was a dream come true! My horse Smokey that I had as a teen was my best buddy. He was a grade, unregistered Tennessee Walker. We trained and field trialed our Brittanys with our horses, so they were used to a training pistol being fired off while riding them....but he was totally freaked out by the sound of a 10 speed bike coasting by as they passed...  My mom used our horses as a bribes when we were growing up - if we got our garden weeding, lawn mowing, barn cleaning, etc chores done, we got to take our horses out on a trail ride. Living near miles of gravel roads in the scenic Stillwater, MN area, it was a horse loving girl's paradise! I rode him in our town's parade when I was the FFA Chapter Sweetheart...complete with my tiara and blue FFA jacket! That was a total new experience for him, but he was solid as a rock. Horses are so special. Some people are not comfortable with their size and strength (Todd is in that group, sadly), but they are so special and loving. Their big eyes are truly windows to their souls. I think that is one reason I love llamas, they have the same large, liquid eyes. Keep the memories coming, Bob was truly your wonder boy  |
| Paula--I love your Bob stories. I love horses and have owned some real characters over the years. When we married so young--we were broke, but I found a way to keep my horses. I taught horseback riding to children to have enough money to feed them. Growing up, I can truly say my horse was my best friend. Prince lived to be 23, and it seemed my world became smaller when I lost him. In college I had an Appaloosa and entered barrel racing competitions riding western style! What fun! I have always regretted a bit that we were never in a place where we were able to allow our children the pleasure of owning a horse. My father kept a pony on his farm for them when they were young, but they never really got that 'bonding' time, because we did not live local to them. I truly think horses are good for the soul!! Keep your Bob stories coming--he sounds like such a wonderful friend!! |
| These stories are wonderful. Keep them coming. |
| Paula, your stories are wonderful of Bob. Keep them coming. I've always loved and wanted a horse. Cindy |
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| Bob did not like the mounting block in the indoor. Actually, I think he thought dressage was boring because it is repetitious and you do a lot of boring circles and exercises like you do in figure skating. I think he shied at the mounting block in order to amuse himself. Anyway, one Sunday I just had it with him acting like a fool. I drove home in tears, took all his pictures down, got into bed and told my then-husband to sell him. Obviously he didn't listen and I'm glad he didn't because I had about 15 more years with Bob. But never was I so angry with him. He was just trying to liven things up. After that I was totally ho-hum when he scooted away because I know he really wasn't afraid. |
I love the stories you are sharing about Bob, the wonder pony. I grew up surrounded by horses and "cowboys". My Dad was at a Rodeo on the day I was born... and refused to leave as he was in 1st place in the roping event. My Mom said that should have been a hint of things to come...  My Grandpa farmed with Percheron's until the day he died, and the last team he used in the fields,was the same team that carried him from the funeral home to his final resting place. My brother bought a pony, Dusty, for his grandkids when they were just tiny, and now all three have progressed to the "big" horses. The kids are 8,6, and 4. I know first hand how getting on the back of a horse can soothe the soul. Keep your stories about Bob flowing Paula. The two of you are a big part of what made me love this forum. I have no control over the black memorial bar that is shown when some animals leave us... but Bob was special to us, and so are you. |
I've never had much experience with Horses; when I was a little girl, family friends had a farm. The daughter that was my age was fond of playing tricks, and one involved putting me on a horse and than slapping the horse's rump. No saddle. Obviously, I fell off immediately- I think I was 6 years old. After that, I never had much interest in horses.  But your Bob stories? I'm fascinated! What a remarkable friend you had in Bob. Our kennel has horses and ponies, and they are really very gentle, and always come round to see Tonks & Luna as we walk. They even exchange kisses with my girls sometimes- mostly Luna. That makes me think of your story about Bob and the cat. I'd love more Bob stories, when ever you feel like sharing! |
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