Monday, February 25, 2008

Farwell Veinte



With tears in my eyes - I will try to put into words what this old horse Veinte meant to me. He was so full of personality - a total flirt, he snickered, snorted and talked constantly. Not you typical neigh he actually talked, mumbled, hummed and did some deep throated grumbling. He really enjoyed communicating and just talking to you. And whatever he said - he could get mares to run across huge pastures to see him and get fillies to push their hind ends up against a fence. The mares, the fillies along with OneCowgirl loved that old horse. He could stand for hours and ever so delicately pinch hairs on Dudley face with lips. Of course, Dudley put up with it but did not have near the talent for hair pulling as Veinte did. As soon as the days would start getting shorter he would start growing his winter coat - this is odd when its August and 100 degrees outside. His name was Veinte (Spanish for 20) because he had a 20 branded on his hind quarters. I inherited Veinte from an ex boyfriend that no longer wanted him - the ex was taking him to the sale barn - I knew he had a few good years left in him so I took him. He was a good ranch horse and didn't deserve to be run thru the sale barn. Though I thought to myself when I inherited him (without even a halter!) - you know that ex broke my heart and when I have to put that horse down my heart is going to ache all over again. Oh how right I was. Over the years I had many friends adopt him and he patiently let them learn to ride on him -he loved the attention the novice rides gave him in his elder years - brushing him and spoiling him with treats. When I got him he'd never even had an apple - but one adopty nicknamed him Mr. Apples because he loved apples. In his prime he was impossible to catch on the ranch - I'm sure his thinking was - if you get caught you got work for the day. In his later years he became much easier to catch and let me put funny hats on him whatever the occasion. In the last two years he had let go of his alpha male status and had surrendered gracefully accepting his age and status among the other geldings - but he still talked to you all the time snickering, grumbling and humming. Veinte became colicy last week and though Hollywood worked very hard to save him it was better to put him out of his misery. Old guy we're going to miss you - and most of all we'll miss you not constantly talking to us. Thank you for being in my life Veinte and for the lives you touched!

21 comments:

Changes in the wind said...

I guess it is only fair that if I get to smile and laugh with you I should also cry with you....and so it is.

Callie said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of Veinte. A lot of people have lost their elderly equine companions this past month. Jessie at my blog has lost her LadyO'Lena, Photochic's friend lost his gelding, Shadow over at Equine Mine and Juli Thorson has just lost a gelding, Najah, just this week. I found a very appropriate poem that I posted for my friend, Jess on my blog for her loss of Lady, that you might want to read.Again sorry for your loss.....

kdwhorses said...

One Cowgirl I am so sorry for the loss of "Veinte" Your post I was laughing, smiling and crying all at the same time. He sounded like a one of a kind horse. Just know you allowed him to live the last of his life at a wonderful place and gave him some much more. ((((HUGS)))))

Anonymous said...

Oh, One Cowgirl, I am so sorry. That was a very sweet tribute to read though, very touching. So sad for you right now.

Anonymous said...

I could not help but cry when I read your tribute to Veinte. Your love for him showed. It is hard to lose one you love whether it is an animal or human.

threecollie said...

So hard...I am so sorry!

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

Oh, so sorry to hear of your loss. I know it can be hard to put down those animals that we grow to love!

Mrs. Mom said...

Always remember that Veinte will be with you in your heart forever. Be sure to celebrate his memory as you have done here! He sounds like the type of horse that wants you to remember his antics and the things he got into and did, his sweet talking, and even the fuzz busting done on Dudley...

My first visit here, and I enjoyed it tremendously! I am looking forward to stopping by often, now that I know where you are!

Chin up, and remember the joy Veinte brought you.

Jen said...

Oh I'm sorry you lost him :-(
That is such a hard thing to lose a good horse.

Jinglebob said...

Sorry to hear this. I'm sure he's in a better place now. No heat or cold. just perfect days..

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

Hey, you asked about loading hogs....it isn't real difficult if it isn't -24 degrees outside. We usually just use a slip panel (a lightweight plastic sheet with handles) to move them out of the pens and then a little heavier plastic panel to move them down the alleyway into the loadout. The trucker usually takes them from there and does use a hot shot to get them up the chute into his trailer. Last week, I did use a hot shot at the door because they just did not want to go out and I don't blame them....it was sooooo cold. Hogs do turn around and then tend to pile on each other (which we try to avoid)and are famous for backing up too. I almost took pictures once of our loading out but didn't think anybody would be that intersted so I changed my mind.

Anonymous said...

So sorry you lost your Veinte. Colic sucks.
Remudamom

Mary said...

Oh, I'm so sorry!
xoxo,
Mary

Tracey said...

Oh...I'm so sorry! It's never easy to lose a dear old friend like that.

Twisted Oaks Quarter Horses said...

I'm sorry for your loss. I lost my mare Black that way and it was horribly painful for me. She was only about 8 years old. You have some fun photos of him that will help keep his memory happy.

Mikey said...

So sorry for your loss.... like losing a family member after that long. A good horse is hard to find and will always be missed.
May he always graze in the greenest pastures.

Rose said...

A life well lived, One Cowgirl. I'm glad you made his glory years happy ones. I'm sorry for your loss.

So long, Viente.

Mountain Lover said...

Amazing the joy and fulfillment close relationships can being to both beings. Veinte no doubt knew what a special friend you were. And are.

I'm holding your hand, Onecowgirl.

Mountain Lover said...

A beautiful, touching tribute. Thank you for sharing this beat of your heart.

Anonymous said...

I emailed Farewell Viente to Susan and Reagan...thank you for introducing us to our Mr. Apples.

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