BLACKJACK LAND & CATTLE COMPANY: OUR OLD MAN

Saturday, April 5, 2008

OUR OLD MAN

This is our old man "Pesky." He is 26 years old today. I thought I would share his story with you all today. The first time I met my hubby we were at a roping practice at a mutual friend's arena. I was there with a friend that was having trouble with his heading horse. Well, who did they ask to help him, Dickie of course! So he came up to me and asked me to cool off his horse for him. I said okay not a problem. Before he walked off he whispered something in the horse's ear! I would find out later he had told him to take care of me! How sweet is that! So that started our dating and how "Pesky" entered my life. At ropings I would warm him up and cool him off. Well around the time Savannah was born, he was older and couldn't go like he used too. So he went into semi retirement to become Savannah's first horse. He was such a great babysitter with her. He took such good care of her. I can say one time in fact they I know he and "Angel" saved her life. We were working calves at another ranch and she was sitting on him and this man heeled a calf tied off and then got off his horse! Not good especially since it was a green horse. Well, you all know what happened next the rope rubbed the horses rear end and off he went-calf and all. He did laps around the pen and was going straight towards Savannah. I yelled at her to hang on and hubby and I were running as fast as we could to get to her. But the horse made it first and ran into Pesky, knocking Savannah off the right side of the horse. When that happened Pesky and Angel both looked down and saw her laying there and came together and covered her with there bodies to protect her from the horse and the calf. It was just amazing! They were her guardian angels that day! She has ridden him up until last year and he has now gone into full retirement. He is living the rest of his life out grazing green grass, munching on hay, getting feed, grooming, and lots and lots of TLC! I can say he has truly earned his place here and will stay here until it is time to be called home. I can say I am not looking forward to that day, even though I know it is coming. It will diffently be a sad day at the ranch. Thank you old man for all your years of taking such great care of my family. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND TOO MANY MORE! I love you!




10 comments:

Midlife Mom said...

What a wonderful post! I'm bawling as it touched my heart so! That picture of Savannah holding onto his leg is precious! He sure looks great and should have many more years with your family with all the good care you have given him. With Buddy turning 28 I sure can relate to it all. Lil' Bud is 20 and the rest are fairly young. T rode Kipper this morning and he was frisky and wanted to go out with the rest of the boys so we had to walk along with her or he would have gone like a bullet for the door!

Linda said...

Awww what a great post to a great horse!

Rising Rainbow said...

He's definitely a very special horse. The pic of Savannah hanging onto his leg is very sweet.

Carroll Farm said...

What a great story. Jasmine (2) walked behind one of our filly's today and she started to kick. Our gelding (Donnie) stepped up and scared the filly away. Isn't it funny how they can sense the trouble. Thank God for great horses!

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

That is awesome. The special ones prove their worth every day.

Nonnas News said...

What a special horse! Thank you for sharing that with us today!

Mikey said...

That is a darling picture :) He seems like the perfect horse :) It's so nice to see him well taken care of in his retirement. Good horses deserve that

Front Porch Society said...

*sniff* Okay. I couldn't help but shed a tear. I had a 28 year old Arabian mare. She was the best! She was so protective and a hard worker. Even into her mid-20's she still loved to run and was bent on beating any horse we went up against. Older horses are the best, aren't they?

Mrs. Mom said...

Alright already Kris! I give! Pass the blasted Kleenex someone....

Pesky boy has the same birthday as my Dear Husband. :)

That. Is One. Awesome. Horse.

Thank you VERY much for sharing him with us, even if we cant kiss on his nose ourselves. (Bet you wear out your smoochers kissing and rubbing on him from everyone reading about him...)

BITR Country Girl said...

Thanks for sharing Pesky with us!

One of the members of our church has a horse that is 32. He's pretty awesome according to what we've heard about him. They showed horses in their younger years and they bought him as a 7 year old to show but decided to try and harness train him. People told them they were crazy and that it would never happen because of his age...Well when they all retired he had multiple championships and is currently living the life. His "dad" is a farrier so he gets his "manicure/pedicures" for nothing but a little loving.