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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
    
Location: sunny california |  | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
| So sorry for your loss | |
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I keep my change in my pockets
Posts: 2985
Location: MN | Sorry for your the passing of your horse  | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 859
| Thoughts and prayers! | |
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Common Sense and then some
Location: So. California | Condolences and prayers for your loss... | |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Thanks to everyone for the kind words and condolences. Bear broke his left leg above the hock doing what he loved to do, barrel racing. It was a beautiful sunny 75 degree day, and Carol had a friend over for a lesson. It had been quite a while since we'd made a run, and the ground was real nice, so I warmed him up for about 20 minutes and we made a run. As we approached the second barrel his rear end went down more than usual, and he went down on his belly on the back side. He kept his front legs churning, but I rolled off him and he went over on his side after waiting for me to pull my foot out of the stirrup, as he'd done a number of times to save me over the years. That was Bear.....thinking of me first. He got back up and I knew right away it was the worst, when I saw how his leg was dangling. I led him over to the gate, hopping on 3 legs. I stood by him for the next 2 hours until the vet arrived, doing everything I could to keep him comfortable. I gave him Banamine, apples, alfalfa, fresh sweet grass, and let him splash water on me in the water trough. He didn't seem like he was in a great deal of pain, but knowing Bear, Im sure he somehow knew. The vet was a real nice guy and gave it to me straight. I led him out of the arena and let him nibble on tha grass for a while as the vet talked to me and then got everything ready. We stood there looking into each other's eyes, and he gently laid down. I caressed his head, told him I love him, as he took his last breath and the life faded out of those beautiful, wise eyes. People were kind enough to walk away as I held his head and, I have to confess, I sobbed like a child. Dal Denton, Anna Berghede, and Alik Derma, all friends of ours, were there until Bear was buried. Dal was so kind and thoughtful. We went out and picked out a resting place beneath a big beautiful Cedar tree in a place in the pasture where the horses never go. Later that night, right after sunset, I looked out toward that tree and saw the horses gathered around it. That was Bear....teaching me things and humbling me, even after leaving this life.
It wasn't his breeding so much that made him special to me, although Jill Moody and Britany Diaz can vouch for that; it was his heart and his personality and ability to show love. Bear was raised and trained by Karen George and was sold to Michele Mortenson after a successful futurity year. He was later sold to Michele Mortenson, and they carried that success into the rodeo arena, as they became quite a team. I bought Bear as a 12 year old and he taught me so much, I can't even begin to say. He taught me more than horsemanship and barrel racing and we became best friends. Nobody spent more time with Bear than me, and I tried to give him the best home possible. He rewarded me with a treasure trove of lessons and experiences, many of which I have shared over the years on BHW.
It's been a tough 24 hours for me.....it seems as if my grief is like a pressure cooker. The memories keep passing through my mind, and the sadness builds up, then it's released. Im embarassed to admit that I've cried like a kid off and on. Just when I start to feel better, the memories get re-played and the sadness builds up again, until I let it out. I know almost all of you know what I'm talking about. I used to say that Bear is human, and Carol was always quick to remind me, "No, he's not human....he's a lot better than that."
I sure spent a lot of time on that talented, beautiful horse. I'm sure glad I did.
 (Bear1StateFinals13.jpg)
 (BearMNLakes.jpg)
 (BearNDSU1.jpg)
 (BearScottProud.jpg)
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 Bear1StateFinals13.jpg (58KB - 181 downloads)
BearMNLakes.jpg (33KB - 193 downloads)
BearNDSU1.jpg (49KB - 185 downloads)
BearScottProud.jpg (23KB - 174 downloads)
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I'm so sorry Scott for your loss. My condolances also to Michele and Karen. Once you have a horse that special - there is always a huge spot in your heart that still belongs to them no matter who owns the horse. Again, I'm so very sorry for the loss of Bear. | |
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 Ms. Marine
Posts: 4642
Location: Texas | | |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I cried reading this. How blessed to have a horse like that in your life, so sorry he left you way too soon. | |
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 Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | Scott, someone posted this poem for me when I put my old horse down. I have it printed and mounted in a frame.....I hope it brings you peace!
The Barrel Horse’s Heaven…….
As I walk along this dark path
I wonder what lies in store
I've been down long dark alleys
None as long and dark as this before.
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
And a man waving from the gate
This time isn't like the others..
There’s no “Hurry up”, there’s no wait
The ground is soft and perfect
The crowd is big and loud
This isn't like other summers
There’s no mud or dust clouds
Everything is perfect
I hear my riders name
He's not with me on this trip
but he's with me just the same.
I turn 3 flawless turns and rush home
I can hear the angels sing
The warm smile I receive from my creator
Makes this whole paradise Gleam
He says Welcome home old champion
You've made your last run
Then He opens the gate to the greenest pastures
And says go ahead, you've won this one
As I think back to the owner I left behind
I know we'll meet again.
I'll be there to take him on that final run
Where winners always win. | |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | NJJ - 2015-02-15 12:46 PM
Scott, someone posted this poem for me when I put my old horse down. I have it printed and mounted in a frame.....I hope it brings you peace!
  The Barrel Horse’s Heaven…….
Â
As I walk along this dark path
I wonder what lies in store
I've been down long dark alleys
None as long and dark as this before.
Â
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
And a man waving from the gate
This time isn't like the others..
There’s no “Hurry up”, there’s no wait
Â
The ground is soft and perfect
The crowd is big and loud
This isn't like other summers
There’s no mud or dust clouds
Â
Everything is perfect
I hear my riders name
He's not with me on this trip
but he's with me just the same.
Â
I turn 3 flawless turns and rush home
I can hear the angels sing
The warm smile I receive from my creator
Makes this whole paradise Gleam
Â
He says Welcome home old champion
You've made your last run
Then He opens the gate to the greenest pastures
And says go ahead, you've won this one
Â
As I think back to the owner I left behind
I know we'll meet again.
I'll be there to take him on that final run
Where winners always win.
That seems perfect. Thanks, Norma. | |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | What a beautiful boy; looking at those pictures it's obvious what you two shared. I'm having a hard time typing thru the tears; my heart is broken for you. But that treasure trove of memories you have is priceless. They may bring some pain in the early stages, but you know how empty your life would be without them. God loans us these angels, and aren't we blessed for it? | |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Bear - 2015-02-15 12:24 PM Thanks to everyone for the kind words and condolences. Bear broke his left leg above the hock doing what he loved to do, barrel racing. It was a beautiful sunny 75 degree day, and Carol had a friend over for a lesson. It had been quite a while since we'd made a run, and the ground was real nice, so I warmed him up for about 20 minutes and we made a run. As we approached the second barrel his rear end went down more than usual, and he went down on his belly on the back side. He kept his front legs churning, but I rolled off him and he went over on his side after waiting for me to pull my foot out of the stirrup, as he'd done a number of times to save me over the years. That was Bear.....thinking of me first. He got back up and I knew right away it was the worst, when I saw how his leg was dangling. I led him over to the gate, hopping on 3 legs. I stood by him for the next 2 hours until the vet arrived, doing everything I could to keep him comfortable. I gave him Banamine, apples, alfalfa, fresh sweet grass, and let him splash water on me in the water trough. He didn't seem like he was in a great deal of pain, but knowing Bear, Im sure he somehow knew. The vet was a real nice guy and gave it to me straight. I led him out of the arena and let him nibble on tha grass for a while as the vet talked to me and then got everything ready. We stood there looking into each other's eyes, and he gently laid down. I caressed his head, told him I love him, as he took his last breath and the life faded out of those beautiful, wise eyes. People were kind enough to walk away as I held his head and, I have to confess, I sobbed like a child. Dal Denton, Anna Berghede, and Alik Derma, all friends of ours, were there until Bear was buried. Dal was so kind and thoughtful. We went out and picked out a resting place beneath a big beautiful Cedar tree in a place in the pasture where the horses never go. Later that night, right after sunset, I looked out toward that tree and saw the horses gathered around it. That was Bear....teaching me things and humbling me, even after leaving this life.
It wasn't his breeding so much that made him special to me, although Jill Moody and Britany Diaz can vouch for that; it was his heart and his personality and ability to show love. Bear was raised and trained by Karen George and was sold to Michele Mortenson after a successful futurity year. He was later sold to Michele Mortenson, and they carried that success into the rodeo arena, as they became quite a team. I bought Bear as a 12 year old and he taught me so much, I can't even begin to say. He taught me more than horsemanship and barrel racing and we became best friends. Nobody spent more time with Bear than me, and I tried to give him the best home possible. He rewarded me with a treasure trove of lessons and experiences, many of which I have shared over the years on BHW.
It's been a tough 24 hours for me.....it seems as if my grief is like a pressure cooker. The memories keep passing through my mind, and the sadness builds up, then it's released. Im embarassed to admit that I've cried like a kid off and on. Just when I start to feel better, the memories get re-played and the sadness builds up again, until I let it out. I know almost all of you know what I'm talking about. I used to say that Bear is human, and Carol was always quick to remind me, "No, he's not human....he's a lot better than that."
I sure spent a lot of time on that talented, beautiful horse. I'm sure glad I did.
 Here I am crying at work. I am so sorry. I can't even imagine what it feels like to lose such a wonderful horse. Gonna go hug my boy extra tonight. Many prayers for you. | |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | I am so very sorry! Hugs and lots of prayers! | |
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 Love Me Some Robert Redford
Posts: 2335
Location: WV | | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 352
| so sorry for your loss, prayers for peace and comfort for you guys. | |
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 Thread Killer
Posts: 7545
| Â I'm so sorry. What an incredible horse. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | I'm so sorry to hear about Bear, Doc. The chickens will have a hard time finding a warmer roost than him. | |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | Dont be ambarrassed. It shows the love and compassion you had for Bear and it makes us all love you even more. It made me cry just reading it. I cant imagine being there. I'm so very very sorry for your loss.  | |
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 Ima Non Controversial Girl
Posts: 4168
Location: where the wind blows | I am so very very sorry for your loss. I had tears reading your post. Bear was very lucky to have had you too in his life and I sense he knew that. He was a beautiful horse. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and friends through this terrible time. These animals become so much more to us, they become our family and our life and soul.  | |
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