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Ol' Skeeter

sw

Well-known member
I wasn't going to put much on here in the way of poems anymore, but the discussion about the old horses in Horses and Dogs changed my Mind. I had the pleasure of knowing one of the toughest horses in the world, and everyday when I go through the pasture checking heifers this time of the year, I get to go by his grave. When I do, I can hear him nicker just like he used to do when he heard the front door open in the morning and he knew somebody was coming outside at the beginning of a new day.

Ole Skeeter

Skeeter was not a young horse, the day that we all met,
After a few years of knowing him, he was as good as they ever get.
Didn’t think much of him, kinda ugly and too small,
Could of cared less about his breeding, about his background and all.
Got him from a neighbor, they didn’t need him anymore,
I kinda like good horses, and I’m always keeping score.

Had this big piece of hide, missing from his hip,
Old enough to be hard to catch, with grey around his lip.
Never had a buck in him, but he could duck out from under you,
Rode my share of horses, those with that heart are far and few.
I roped my share of calves, he did all of the work,
Never needed any persuasion, never needed spurs or quirt.

I rode him many times, his heart it always prevailed,
He would get the job done, at his work he never failed.
Maybe all of his life, he didn’t feel like part of the team,
Who knows, maybe in his lifetime, some people were kinda mean.
Guess he started liking us, cause he’d give a nicker every morn,
Even with a softer side, don’t think there was a tougher horse born.

Rode him for a few years, then the kids took him over,
He probably thought he had it made, kids and sweet red clover.
He had no idea of kids and running fast as you could.
He was my best hired hand, teaching them best he could.
He came to love that life, training all my kids,
He got to love pushing cows, teaching is what he did.

He taught my son how to rope a calf, and drag to the branding fire,
Putting up with teaching kids, Skeeter would never tire.
Then along came the youngest, now he had to deal with a girl,
He had always been a cowhorse, none of this pink and swirl.
He took it all in, got the feel of someone who spoils,
Way better way of life, than a horse who always toils.

He became an icon, had a permanent position on the ranch,
Just knew he would always be here, just looking for the chance.
There has to be another kid out there, that he can take care of,
Just has to be another little girl, with whom I can share some love.
Could not ever think of the day when he’d be gone,
Even now, I’m wishing, what I’m telling you is wrong.

Twenty six years on this earth, Skeeter had to give,
I only wish that twenty six more, he could possibly live.
His heart that carried him, for all these golden years,
Is the reason why my family, now is all in tears
His heart has failed him, his going has come to pass,
We now have buried him, beneath the growing grass.

In this world, real friends, are few and far between,
With animal friends, we know without talking, what the other means.
To my friends like Skeeter , together we will ride once more,
Up there in greener pastures, we will live a life galore.
And little girls and horses will be the best of friends,
And this cycle of life I hope, will never come to end.
 

Turkey Track Bar

Well-known member
sw....

I'm with feeder-please keep the poems coming. I really enjoy them. I don't know what happened to make you not want to share them, but I hope we can sway your thinking the other way!

This is a great tribute to Skeeter! Thanks for sharing..

Cheers---

TTB :wink:
 

Jinglebob

Well-known member
Damn fine poem!

Especially hard for me to read as I just had to put my 1 year old dog down. He fell from the window as we were driving along and either I ran over his hip or the fall did it. Real bad break and too far to the vet. He was a good pup and he at least didn't have to get old and suffer. But we are going to miss him.
 

Haytrucker

Well-known member
Excellent poem!!
Our Skeeter was a mare when I was a kid.

JB; sure sorry to hear of your loss. Dogs or horses, I'm not sure which is harder to lose...
 

ranchwife

Well-known member
sw----absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! How could possibly think of NOT posting anymore of your heart-warming poems!! You have such a way of putting things to words that it would surely be a loss not to share them anymore!! Please continue to share!!! :D :D
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
sw, that was a special poem for a special horse. What a good job you did with it, so much feeling.

Please don't deny us the opportunity to read your poems.
You guys and your poems is just one more reason this site is special.

JB, daggum it! Sorry about your nice pup. I remember when you first put his picture on here. Mr. FH doesn't let his dogs ride in the back anymore, just for that reason. Too easy for them to fall out.
 

Jinglebob

Well-known member
Faster horses said:
sw, that was a special poem for a special horse. What a good job you did with it, so much feeling.

Please don't deny us the opportunity to read your poems.
You guys and your poems is just one more reason this site is special.

JB, daggum it! Sorry about your nice pup. I remember when you first put his picture on here. Mr. FH doesn't let his dogs ride in the back anymore, just for that reason. Too easy for them to fall out.

Thats what really sucks. h
He was in the front and lookin' out the window. And he was sooooo catty. Never made a mistep and he jumped in and out on the fly all the time. Guess I just took it for granted that he was as tuff as he acted. Even after he got hurt, after I helped him back in, and i didn't realize how bad he was, cuz I was chasin' some yearlin's that got in the neighbors, he was whining and trying to get out to help the other dog. Dammit, if I had took a horse and hadn't been in such a damn hurry, it wouldn't have happened. To hell with chasin' cattle with a damn four wheeled vehicle! :mad:
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
Well, it was just an accident. It didn't happen on purpose.
Don't be so hard on yourself. Things, dammit, happen.

I really feel for you. You get so attached to them and then
something happens. Never gets any easier to take. Mr. FH
is a real dog lover, and he feels bad for you too.
 

MsSage

Well-known member
Very good poem. Keep them coming. Had to dry the tears to type this.
Maybe it cause there is a 25 year old lady who gives her heart and teaching to an 11 year old girl.
JB I am so sorry about your pup. :(
 

Soapweed

Well-known member
Nice tribute to a good old horse, sw. Great poem, keep them coming.

Jinglebob, sorry about your pup. I've had similar deals with a couple dogs in the past, and feel your pain.
 

cowboyup

Well-known member
You sure have a way of putting words together sw, I bet not one person who read your poem didn't think back to their "OL SKEETER". It would be a great loss to all of us on here if you quit putting your poems on here.

I feel for you Jinglebob as it always hurts to lose a friend.
 

sw

Well-known member
thanks for the compliments everyone, just sometimes feel like I should not be putting things out there for cyber world to see, only really want to share with the ranchers.net family.
JB, sorry about your pup, things happen. My neighbor had a bad one happen to him, he does not let the dogs ride in the back anymore either, so he had his pup on the front, he got out to do something, the truck has electric windows, the dog stuck his head out the window with his paw on the arm rest where the window buttons are. The rest is history.
 

passin thru

Well-known member
It is amazing how some can make those words flow onto paper so smoothly...........good job..........makes you remember.
It is always tough to loose a dog...........they are more than a dog. Dog seems so impersonal.............a friend.
 
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