My Tribute to a Faithful Friend Yesterday was a very sad day here at Valley Oaks Farm. There is a quietness to the barn and an empty stall, where one of my best friends for the past 14 years had lived. But at 32 years of age, Guy completed his life and we are left with memories. Back in 2000, we were looking for a horse that would run fast, yet be willing to stand around quietly, patiently waiting and our trainer recommended we look for an ex polo horse. Strawberry Banks Farm in East Aurora, NY had just the thing...Brownie had been a polo horse, then a polo judges horse, and now was retired, waiting for just the right family to love him. Holly knew if she had a horse that was well trained, she could teach it the barrel patterns, especially her favorite, the Texas-T. So, on a cold November day, Brownie came to live with us. The first thing that happened to Brownie was a name change. Somehow, Brownie just didnt seem dignified enough for this beautiful bay Appendix, who carried himself with grace. And so Brownie became My Guy, Semper Fi, known simply as Guy around the barn, and he lived up to his name...Always Faithful. First he became a 4-H level barrel horse, then a trail horse for a very less than confident Dad, a lesson horse, a horse for the grandkids first ride around age 2, and the horse that this Mom learned (again) how to lope on. He wasnt perfect, rarely receiving blue ribbons, but he was faithful. Every person was safe on him,fro the youngest to the oldest, the experienced and the never been on a horse before person. After a bout with colic we retired Guy about two winters ago. He spent his leisure as alpha horse in the herd, telling the others exactly what they could and couldnt do. Summers were spent in knee deep grass, and winters had him blanketed and in his stall when it was too cold or windy to be outside. These last couple of years we would often find him laying down in his stall, resting those tired old legs. He would sometimes even let us come up and love on him while he was laying down. Guy was everything you could ask for in a horse, from day 1 til his last breath...kind, faithful, strong, with a willing heart. Rest in peace, old friend.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 13:31:27 +0000
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