He's A Peach

Some horses take a long time to earn a name, but one big headed gray horse got his name the day we bought him and brought him home. A soon as the horse was unloaded, James, a young cowboy who was like a son to us and expert in the ways of horses, immediately crawled on him and rode off. When they showed back up James was grinning ear to ear and I asked the guru of horses what his opinion was. Without hesitation, he declared that "He's a peach." So, Peaches it was. James had nailed it perfectly. 

My family argued often over who was going to ride Peaches and James even commandeered him quite a bit.  He didn't know he was big and still got around quickly and with authority. It was his personality that we all adored too.  He loved his people and enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed him. 

Much of this past weekend was spent doing what my family loves to do. Just being on a horse can make anything worth doing for them. There was a ranch horse competition close by and we spent the better part of two days watching and performing.  When I arrived at the fairgrounds early Saturday morning, Ed was unloading the horses.  There was a stout dark gray one with a huge head among them.  My eyes widened with surprise and my heart leapt for joy.  It was Peaches.  I was told that Peaches was "going to live on that big ranch in the sky where he'd always have food and be happy" this week, so him being there was a shock.  A pleasant one. 

After seven months of being kicked out to pasture, Ed wanted to try Peaches in the ranch horse competition one more time before committing him to his fate. They competed, and despite a flawed performance, they qualified to go to the finals in Abilene in May. More importantly, Peaches didn't look to be in any discomfort and I think he enjoyed himself too. I don't know how long this will last, but I do know that any more time we can spend with Peaches is better than no time at all.

Although he is a family favorite, at the young age of four he has issues that make him unable to be used for work and these issues will not get any better despite expensive injections.  He's big, he eats a lot (you can graze up to four cows for every one horse), and keeping a horse is not a cheap proposition.  You especially can't ask an animal to live in pain with no hope.  From my short time in this world, I can reason all that in my head but my heart still feels what it wants to.  It's hard to let go when it is time. Hard to not hold on and be selfish.

Fingers crossed, hopeful heart, and prayers said.  You will have to excuse me now, I have to go down to the barn.  A big headed gray horse is waiting for me.