A Friend Died Today

I lost a friend today. He was well past his prime, and even past a normal lifetime.

All the tired horses lying in the sun
How'm I going to get any riding done?

At 38, he was well past his allotted time. Yet he kept going, year after year. He was a favorite of everyone, especially the children.

Hmmm, hmmm,
hmm hmm, hmm hmmm

Over the holidays, he became a favorite of my grandson. It has been several years since he was here, and never had he stayed while the horses were here. Within an hour of arriving, he had identified with my friend. For the next two weeks, every day began with a visit to the horses and a chance to share time with Buckwheat. Every night ended with a visit to the corral and a stroke of Buckwheat's nose. Buckwheat would come to the gate to greet him.

All the tired horses lying in the sun
How'm I going to get any riding done?

My grandson learned to ride this year, and it was on Buckwheat's back. A gentle horse with children, patient as they sought to learn a new skill.

Hmmm, hmmm,
hmm hmm, hmm hmmm

Despite his age, he was the leader of the small herd here. Oh, Showtime had tried to challenge him on the first day, but Buckwheat calmly countered every attempt. For the past several months Showtime and Buckwheat palled around together most of each day.

All the tired horses lying in the sun
How'm I going to get any riding done?

He used gentle diplomacy over brute force in controlling the herd. He never sweated the small stuff.

Hmmm, hmmm,
hmm hmm, hmm hmmm

Liberty came to the herd undersized and fearful. Rescued from starvation and abuse, she will never achieve her full size. In other herds, she was always the victim, always at the bottom of the social order, and subjected to kicks and bites. Buckwheat tolerated none of that. Still at the bottom of the social order, she found refuge at Buckwheat's side. The biting and kicking ceased, and Liberty has become a full member of the herd. Pasture races and games of horse tag replaced the victimization. She shows her grief today.

All the tired horses lying in the sun
How'm I going to get any riding done?

The end began just after the New Year. Buckwheat started to colic. The vet came out and administered large doses of mineral oil on several occasions. Between times, Buckwheat received daily doses of a muscle relaxing drug to ease the cramping. There were good days and bad, but he seemed to be holding his own.

Hmmm, hmmm,
hmm hmm, hmm hmmm

This morning a heavy fog settled on the ranch. Five months of no rain and few clouds, but now it was cold and damp. Buckwheat was in pain, refusing all offers of food. I talked with his owner's husband Bill. We could see Buckwheat was at the end of his trail. Calls to several vets were made, and the best we could get was a promise to try and come out by day's end.

All the tired horses lying in the sun
How'm I going to get any riding done?

Bill went home to try additional resources. Buckwheat sank wearily into a manure pile. Sweat was rolling off of him, and the pain hit in visible waves. I sat beside him and stroked his neck.

Hmmm, hmmm,
hmm hmm, hmm hmmm

At last a friend showed up with experience at this. Buckwheat was given several doses of both muscle relaxing and pain killing medicine. He struggled to his feet, and headed back into the pasture. While Bill went to arrange for a backhoe, I followed Buckwheat with a blanket. He stumbled to the ground and began to shiver. I put the blanket over him, and sang his favorite Dylan tune to calm him.

All the tired horses lying in the sun
How'm I going to get any riding done?

Hmmm, hmmm,
hmm hmm, hmm hmmm

He stopped shivering, and in a few minutes he died as I stroked his head. Some people question the soul of animals. I envy them, for they must never have had a friend in fur or watched him die. They never watched other animals acknowledge the loss of a friend, as I did with his herd as they stood over him.

We buried him this afternoon. Tomorrow I will plant my Christmas tree over the grave, and sing him a Dylan tune.