StG, he was a registered Appendix Quarter Horse. Jockey Club on sire’s side (his grandpa was Foolish Pleasure who won the Derby in 75), QH on dam. He was 16.2, grey (although he never was GREY, he was tan with beige speckles). He had the build of a Thoroughbred with the muscling of a Quarter Horse.
He wasn’t much of a lock picker because that would require effort. 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 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 was loyal and loved me but was mildly indifferent to other humans. He would always frisk people with the hope they were packing carrots. He so loved carrots more than any other treat.
Thank you for letting me talk about him. I’m not a good wordsmith. I couldn’t speak these words. But it’s easy to write them here.
Saying goodbye to a dear friend is hard. Twenty-five years of memories that you will always have. Animals enrich our lives and touch our hearts. The grief will get easier with time. I’m sending my best wishes for you.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Horses are special creatures. Thank you for sharing your stories of Bob. Would love to see a picture or 2. (((hugs)))
I bought Bob for one reason. I started riding as an adult and had been riding for about 2 years when I decided to buy a horse. I said “and his name will be Bob” so I looked for a horse whose looked like a Bob. I saw his face over the fence and said “that is he.” That is the second dumbest reason to buy a horse (the dumbest being because you like the color). He was not even 3 and had maybe 30 days under saddle. I had no business buying such a young horse but nobody told me so! We were both lucky–I was fortunate to find good people to help me with him and he was fortunate that I bought him because in the wrong hands his spirit and soul would have been crushed.
I appreciate all the good thoughts and kindness everyone from all parts of my life have sent. Even though we were together for 25 years, I don’t have boatloads of pictures of him. This morning before work I looked at pictures from when I bought him. I’m making a little Bob nook in my second bedroom with a bench where I can sit and remember our life together. Sounds maudlin but it is comforting.
Thanks for the stories about Bob the Horse, peedin! Like I said, I enjoy horse tales. Cracks me up, the image of him standing there with another horse’s tail in his mouth, just waiting for him to walk away! What a sense of humour! If you do have a picture of him, would you link it for us to see him?
I think a special space to remember him sounds just right, not maudlin at all.
I have pictures but they are gasp on paper. I would like to make on online photo album and will have to scout out free image hosting sites. Then Bob will be digitized in all his glory. I will omit pictures of him with poo stains. He liked using manure as a pillow. :rolleyes:
Cracks me up, the image of him standing there with another horse’s tail in his mouth, just waiting for him to walk away! 
What a sense of humour! If you do have a picture of him, would you link it for us to see him?