My Friend, My Boy, My Horse – Bob

Mike Shannon has written one of the most heart-warming odes to his horse Bob I have ever read:

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Bob was a free gift from a friend (c) Mike Shannon

This is Bob. As of March 17, he’s 28 years old and with me for over 26 of those years. I put the saddle on him to wear for a while. So he’ll think he’s still got it. At our age, it’s good to think ya still got it. He gets upset if Miss Jane gets the saddle and attention. He is an amazing horse, he knows 4 languages, and can read minds, at least mine, and can see his cows from a half mile, no kidding.

He saved my life in 04, literally, I thought I was gone… I asked the Lord not to let my kids find me like this… both of us wrapped in barbwire, then the Lord had him sit, like a dog sits. I’ve never seen anything like it. He sat until I could cut us out and I then asked him to get up.

He’s the fastest horse I’ve ever ridden, he is wise, funny, and careful. He knows more cow jokes than any horse alive, although some were really dumb.

He is fearless, and in the tightest moment his courage is complete. We’ve been attacked by feral dogs twice. The first time he was bloodied on the right shoulder, the last time after our escape, we turned around and looked for our dogs that were following. When our dogs caught the wild dogs eyes, he didn’t hesitate to charge them and we tried to run them down so our dogs could get away.

I have laughed harder and have had as much fun as a man can have with his clothes on. He has more cow smarts than any horse I’ve ever seen. Once he collected the cows off the river without me, in heavy brush, without a saddle, like any dog only wishes they could. When he came by me, following his herd, he was VERY proud of himself, tail up, neck bowed at a trot, he was very pleased with himself. I was in complete disbelief and I grinned so hard my ears hurt.

I love that horse. We live on the South Canadian River. People have come into our pasture, a lot, and left the gate open. The cows would get out, even the horses sometimes, but Bob never left. He would come up and rat out the cows when they’d get out.

He would hang out with the baby calves, he liked the babies… We once, while after the “Flying Cow,” rolled down a steep embankment together several times, in brush, he ended up on his feet, but I was hung from the saddle horn, with my, NEW, lariat tangled upside down looking at his hoof, up close. He stood perfectly still, with a smile on his face, (horses can grin) waiting for Danny Atchley to help me, without cutting the NEW rope.

We have charged coyotes, guns blazing, missed 6 times (Roy and Gene made it look easy). After I was empty he took it upon himself to try and take out the coyote, but we ran out of field.

He loves oatmeal cookies and always checks out what I’ve got. He’s standoffish, wouldn’t smile for a pic if ya paid him. And calls me when he thinks it’s feeding time. When he was young, I knew he had a home with me in my heart.

When my son Jess was in diapers and I was feeding, Jess walked under Bob’s belly as Bob was walking up to the bunk to eat. I glanced over my shoulder and thought I was about to see a wreck I’d have to hide from mom, but Bob paused his right rear foot in mid air and waited for Jess to get by, at his own pace. Jess would stand under Bob and scratch his belly.

I’ve had a lot of horses, and have so many stories about Bob, not enough time here. Don’t know what I’ll do when he’s gone. I’ll dig a big spot for him down at the dog graveyard in the bottom; he’ll get a stone like the dogs. He’s a good Boy, My Boy…

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(c) Mike Shannon

Thanks so much, Mike & Bob, for allowing us to share your heart-warming story!

My Friend, My Boy, My Horse – Bob

5 thoughts on “My Friend, My Boy, My Horse – Bob

  • April 15, 2016 at 7:09 am
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    Thanks Mike for introducing us to your best equine friend Bob. I can see you smiling as you write this. Hope Bob graces your paddock or pastures for at least another 10 years or so.

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    • April 15, 2016 at 10:47 am
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      Well said, Pamela!

      Reply
  • July 12, 2016 at 2:50 am
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    What a great heart warming story. My friend had an ex steeplechaser who could easily jump the five barred gate out of his field. If she had him out at full gallop she was looking for bushes to jump into as she had difficulty stopping him. He loved to be tickled behind his forelegs and seemed to go into a trance. Some people greatly underestimate horses. They are good, loyal friends and your story proves this. Hope he lives for many more years with you. Thank you for sharing your great story.

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    • July 12, 2016 at 3:26 am
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      It’s always fun to find those “special spots”. A couple horses I know are crazy for being scratched on the back of their heels 🙂

      Reply
  • July 26, 2019 at 4:43 am
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    Wow! what a story, such an amazing bond! just beautiful!Thankyou for sharing.

    Reply

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