Fond memories of horses we have known

Fond memories of horses we had known

INDIANOLA, Neb. — One of our daughters had a four-year-old gelding named Howard that was pretty gentle and had a lot of “try” but didn’t have a zillion training miles.  Farmer Tom had a bull out in the neighbor’s pasture, and he took a couple of buddies with horses over to try and get him in.  

We had a lot more rain that year so the creek that runs through that place was full.  The big bull happened to be on the other side of the water, so Farmer Tom attempted to take “Howie” across the creek with his new saddle.  It didn’t work out so well!

When he got towards the other side, the embankment was very steep, and he hadn’t realized the water was so deep.  As the horse and rider tried to climb out, the horse went over backward and went under the water. 

Farmer Tom was swimming towards shore and finally, the horse came back up.  The fellas watching really thought the horse had drowned.  They finally just let the horse go and called him out on the other side.  The saddle was soaked, and the horse came out in a different place.  Neither was worse for wear, and they eventually got the bull rounded up too.  

Kylee would not have been happy if her dad had killed her horse.  Howard went on to have a great life and gave the kiddos a lot of fun memories.  We eventually sold him to a girl that used him in 4-H, so I think he was a happy camper.  

Another daughter had a greyed-out roan gelding that she had a lot of confidence in.  It’s something that an animal knows who they belong to. That fella would do anything that his owner wanted him to, and he also protected her in some scary situations. 

People that have never ridden or owned a horse don’t really understand the relationship they are missing.  

Have a good one!