Joe
He wasn't mine but I loved him like he was.
I met Joe the super horse five years ago when he was 25 years young. He struck a place in my heart the first time I laid eyes on him. He was standing in his freshly bedded stall and watching me to see what I was all about. I looked at him and took in his persona like a slap in the face, this little black and sun bleached, sway backed, graying face of a magnificent creature. He looked me over too probably thinking, "Got a treat"? and oh "You have big boobs for me to push when the treats run out"! I'm not sure what his breed was, I believe it was a mixture of sorts but he was proud and elegant, like the steed of all steeds.
To know this horse was a highlight in my life. I laughed at the way he squealed when his pasture mate would groom him in the wrong spot, and his squeal if a gelding tried to sniff his butt. He was way too macho for that foolishness! The warm fuzzy feeling I would get when he would whinny a welcome when I came into the barn and the soft nickers he would make at feeding time. He also had a habit at night while he was having his bran mash, he would eat some bran mash, lick the wall, eat some bran mash, lick the wall. He only did the wall licking at night when he got his bran.
As I said above, I didn't own this horse but I work for the woman who did. I saw Joe a few times a week for the past five years and he always had a special place in my heart. I would scrtach his withers with my nails and he would stretch out his neck and curl his lips in gratification, I have groomed him on occasion and even clipped his handsome face a few times. Of all of the horses in her barn I love them all in a different way but it was Joe who captured my heart.
Joe sadly, at the wonderful ripe age of 30, was euthanized on October 4, 2004 at approximately 4:20 p.m. due to inevitable problems that come with age. He is greatly missed by all who knew him.
Rest in peace Joe. You have earned your wings my friend.
