Mister Bojangles..... Dance

Mister Bojangles had a birthday recently. He is a registered Missouri Fox Trotter. He was born on May 19, 1980, which means that this past Monday was his 28th birthday. For non-horse people, supposedly a horse year equals three human years. So, Mister Bojangles is now an eighty four year old gentleman who can still dance. With his typical Fox trotter gait, he looks like he's dancing as he moves along.


Mister Bojangles used to belong to my grandfather's nephew. We acquired Bo when he was nineteen years old, as my cousin wanted a younger horse for trail riding. At the time, my cousin was 84 years old.My cousin crossed over the rainbow bridge at the age of 91. We sent him yearly birthday photos of Bo though out his last years. Recently, my dad ran into Bo's original owner. He asked if we were willing to sell him back Mister Bojangles. No deal, Bo will remain with us for the rest of his days.


My dad warned me years ago that I should think about "peddling some of those OLD horses before they became so old that no one would buy them". He warned that my "silly" sentimentality would come back to haunt me. As usual, I didn't heed his warnings, as usual he was right. But on my part, I have no regrets. In our herd of ten equines, four of our horses are over age twenty. It does mean extra work and extra expense. We have had to have the senior's teeth floated and are always trying to help them keep up their weight.

For our seniors, we feed a heavy ration of a pelleted feed, mixed with fat supplements and water, which is stirred into a mush for them to be able to digest. Grazing on grass and eating hay will no long sustain them, only through our feeding program are they able to continue. So far we have been able to keep their weight up and keep them healthy and happy. I am aware that we will not be able to do this forever. The day will come when despite our best efforts that these seniors will not be able to thrive. We will continue to care for them until that day comes. When the time comes, they will each have their own special spot in the east pasture under the old oak tree, with a cross to mark their grave. Hopefully that day is still a long time away.

Believe it or now, Bo is not the herd elder around our place. That title is held by Ruby, our 30 year old Quarter Horse mare. In human years, that makes her the equivalent of a 90 year old woman.