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Silver Saddle 4-H

Please remember our 4 legged friends who have gone to greener pastures

Our lives with horses are rich with feeling.
You know this if you've ever... choked back tears watching a new foal wobble to his feet for the first time... or watching your good horse wobble to his feet after surgery...... or seen the ends of the reins float straight out as a reining horse spins beneath them ... or chuckled to yourself as you watched a tiny tot on a patient pony trot through a barrel pattern at a saddle club playday ... or felt the building tremble as an eight-up hitch of feather-legged giants towed a hand-carved beer wagon into the arena ... or had your heart stop when you saw your horse lying motionless in the pasture on a sunny day and waited breathlessly for an ear to flick ... or cheered at the screen when "The Man From Snowy River" slid Dunnie down the mountainside, .. or when Seabiscuit made his final surge to beat War Admiral ... or cruised along the highway and seen a horse in a pasture and wondered what he's like to ride or pictured him as a prospect ... or flipped through the TV channels and stopped when you saw a horse even when it was a commercial ... or laughed aloud when you rubbed your horse's face and he rubbed back... or gotten chills hearing Dave Johnson's "and DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!" (or "Run for the Roses" circa 1980ish?) .. or stood in awe at your horse in morning play as he sprinted around the pasture then stopped head erect and snorted defiance at the rest of the world ... or been thankful to see wild horses grazing casually at the foot of a hill ... or felt calmed by the sleekness of a silky haircoat beneath your hand ... or felt warmed by a soft nicker greeting as you entered the barn ... or slid your hand under your horse's blanket to straighten it out, only to pause in the glowing feeling that you get when you touch the warmth of his coat. ... or riding on a trail with your horse, thinking how that trail over there looks nice and almost without asking, your horse has sensed your slightest movement in the saddle and he's now taking you there. my own personal butterflies happen as above, but also when... we're headed down the alley and he is easily controlled by simply lifting the reins - we're in the alley and I drop the reins to feel his power - he breathes on my neck - I sit deep and he shoves his hiney in the ground without me even lifting the reins - I feel the centrifical force of a fast, flat spin - he changes leads on cue without changing cadence, as if our communication is perfect.
Oh, how I love these animals God has given us to treasure and enjoy!!!

Wimpy 1978 to 1-3-2005

Owned for 28 years by the Cages. Always gave 110%! A champion in so many ways.

A heart of Gold stopped beating

Two Shining eyes at rest

God broke my heart to prove

He only takes the best

God knows you had to leave me

But you did not go alone

For part of me went with you the day he took you home

Wimpy belonged to the Barretts
To the left a picture of Callie riding our horse Wimpy. He was a registered paint--Two Tone Wimpy. I think he was born in 78. He was a good horse and so sweet. Bryan found him last night when he went to feed. He made it to almost 27 years.I sure hope horses go to heaven. He deserves it. He was used from everything from roping, to playdays and trailriding. He worked many a cow. All four of us rode him at one time or another. We had him for almost 14 years. I hope he's found those greener pastures!

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, it goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...