Legend has
it that Tex was a team penning champion—a cow horse that expertly cuts calves from
the herd and drives them into certain paddocks. Whether or not he was really a
champion, I childishly wondered what stories he could tell from his vast 20
years of experience.
Our friendship
was special. I would ride him bareback and play that I was John Wayne riding
through the west, or a contestant in a quarter-mile race. He would follow me
around like a great big puppy while I did my
chores. If I was going through a rough time I would throw my arms around Tex’s
neck and pour out all my emotions into his mane. It felt good to have something
solid I could hold onto. I know from personal experience why people say that
horses are therapeutic for the human soul.
“The
outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” (Girls too.) –Winston Churchill
JT knew
every trick in the book. Luckily, he was usually too lazy to try any of them,
but occasionally he would blow out his stomach so I couldn’t tighten the cinch
or pretend to limp when he didn’t want to work. He’d eat the corn stalks out of
the garden, rub on Dad’s trees, chase my dog (scaring her half to death), and
crib in his stall, leaving huge chew marks in the wood.
To make up
for his shortcomings Tex had a special trick that I taught him at one point:
whenever he saw I had a treat he’d bob his head up and down eagerly.
“Do
you want a treat?"
*Tex bobs head yes.*
“Am
I your favorite person in the whole world?”
*Tex bobs head yes.*
“Are
you going to stay out of the garden from now on?”
*Tex bobs head yes.*
Tex helped
me grow as a person—something not just anyone can do for you. During 2011 Tex
had three hoof abscesses in a row. Getting rid of them involved soaking his
hoof twice a day and wrapping it in a baby diaper held on with gobs of duct
tape. I hated it-- it gave me a sore back and took up too much time, but it
taught me patience.
During the winter
months, I had to carry horse jugs down to him twice a day to keep him hydrated.
I hated that too, but it developed my perseverance (and some impressive
biceps)
Lastly, (this-is-going-to-sound-sappy-but-it-is-ever-so-true)
Tex taught me how to be a friend and the importance of always being there for
someone
So here’s
why I am writing all of this. Exactly
four years after Tex came to me, I am sending him to a new home. We are moving
to the big city so I must part with my equine friend forever. :’( He will have a cute little mare to keep
company with and his own box stall to sleep in but I won’t have him to talk to
or go for walks with. Good-bye sweet friend!
