" The Old Kids Horse"

Two years ago I turned him out,
He got too old to ride.
He wasn't with the bunch today,
That's how I know he died.
I rode upon the highest hill,
Today was cold and raw.
From there I saw him lying dead,
Down in the biggest draw.

The kids had learned to ride on him,
Together they had fun.
He always brought them back from school,
Through snow, or rain, or sun.
If they fell off he'd wait for them,
He didn't seem to care,
How much they thumped him in the ribs,
Or hung on by his hair.

I rode up close to say good-bye,
A horse like him is rare.
And something seemed to fill my throat,
To see him lying there.
I wish now I had kept him in,
He'd wintered out enough.
His teeth were gone, he was too old,
The winter was too rough.

And as I sat there looking down,
On those old legs so trim.
I thought of all the miles they went,
Of how we trusted him.
A horse to me is like a man,
They're both the same inside.
The qualities we like in men,
Within the horse abide.

I knew I'd have to tell the boys,
Their friend had passed away.
To where he'd be a colt again,
With other kids to play.
And so I thought as I rode on,
With eyes a little dim.
A boy would make a better man,
Who had a friend like him.
~Author Unknown~

LEGACY was with us for only 10 days. But in this very short time, he touched my heart like no other. We picked him up from auction for $50--in horrible condition. He wouldn't eat at first and was very afraid. But within a few days he enjoyed his brushings and petting. He would even allow me to put a halter on him, even though he seemed afraid and didn't know what I wanted him to do. Saturday he went down with a colic. He seemed to improve, started to drink a lot and even ate his senior feed Sunday night. But his body was shutting down and I found him dead when I went out Monday morning.

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