An Ode to Crowbait.

Crowbait. Never has a name more accurately described the appearance of a horse. Although dreadful in appearance, Crowbait is a gem among steads. He is steadfast, trustworthy, a tick lazy, and he has the most wonderful, soft, speckled nose.

He even has speckled eyelids, which of course, add to his less-than-appealing appearance. But, like I said, he is a gem--and I suppose might just be beautiful if you go for that appaloosa look.

David broke Crowbait to ride when David was 15 yrs old. Crowbait may have been 4 yrs old then, but no one really knows his real age due to the fact that he is not registered like the rest of our (beautiful) quarter horses. In any case, Crowbait is now a geriatric horse. But in his years, he has cared for many small, apprentice riders.

David's cousins, Kate, Will and Lee, all rode Crowbait at some point during their childhood. All have fallen off (mainly due to Crowbait's really annoying habit of trying to de-saddle his rider by scraping them off with a tree limb), but none have been bucked off (to my knowledge).

Lee really put him through his paces when he was little. Lee's favorite thing to do as a young rider was to spank him with the end of his rein to make him go faster...and faster...I think Crowbait was relieved to come to our house to meet a new set of youngsters...

Now Lee comes over to our house and continues to harrass him by riding him around the barn lot bareback...poor Crowbait. But the girls think, of course, that cousin Lee is the coolest boy they know because he can ride their horse bareback.

When the girls ride, there is always an argument. Who gets to ride first, who gets to ride by themself, who got to ride longest, etc...And they do get to ride other horses, but of course, Crowbait is "their" horse.

During the recent "Saddle Up for Diabetes" trail ride on the ranch, (pictures will follow soon...) David, Grandpa Mike, and Neighbor Jerry were riding the only well-trained (and beautiful) quarter horses on our place. (Since David raises and trains horses, we are plagued with a constant string of half-broke young horses--David sells all the trained horses--kind of like a carpenter's house is never finished--same theory applies to horse trainers.)

So what do I get to ride, but Crowbait. Of course. Because God is constantly humbling me. The wife of Trail Boss David (as the city-slickers call him), riding an old, ugly appaloosa, while David rides our beautiful, black, gleaming stud horse.

Oh well, Crowbait did safely carry me and Elizabeth the whole ride, with not one falter (except for the one attempt to scrape us off with a tree branch). Several city-folk commented on him, with David and I quickly explaining that while ugly, he is the best horse on the place...

And these pictures illustrate why he is the best on the place...two girls, under the age of ten, running the barrel pattern over and over and over again. And he does it, without complaint (although there are no tree branches around for him to complain with).

(And no, mom, the girls were not really "running" the barrel pattern. Nor were they going fast to make their hair fly like that--the wind was blowing--I promise.)

The picture above is Crowbait complaining...by nickering at nearby horses. So maybe a kind, old horse can get a little bored of walking/trotting the barrel pattern over and over and over again.

And this is my opportunity to brag on my kids a little more. (Not that I ever need an "opportunity" to brag...)

What eight-year-old do you know whom you would trust to ride a horse with your 18-month-old? Rhian has really blossomed in the last two years. She has grown from a shy, introverted, somewhat scared of everything kid, into a brave, strong, big-kid.

Rhian is remarkably compassionate and patient with her sisters. Not that she does not fight and argue any less than any other 8yr old sister, but she does temper it with kindness.

And what 18-month-old do you know who is so confident on a horse and so trusting of a sibling? Jacklyn has absolutely stolen my heart. She is full of giggles, and can express more with her facial expressions than any adult can with a thousand words. She may never learn to talk though. With two sisters to cater to her every whim and talk for her, who needs to learn any more than the signs for food, drink, and please?

But back to Crowbait--honestly, I dread the day when we wake to find that Crowbait is no longer with us. He has been such a good horse to the Chambers family--such a good friend. He is by far, much more beautiful than his name implies.

(Note the very bored, half-asleep look on Crowbait's face (face?). He is so patient with giggly little girls. Also note, there is no real "Ode" in this post...because that requires more talent than I possess...)