As The Gate Swings: Daddy's Boy...

Calvin, on the farm in Virginia...

Calvin was Craig's boy. A big dark bay out of the Impressive line (the good Impressive, not the HYPP-carrying Impressive), his registered name was "Impressive Caliente". He was schooled in Western Pleasure, experienced with cattle and on trail. Calvin held the distinction of being part of the Sheriff's Posse in the Tucson Rodeo Parade, the world's largest non-mechanized parade.

Calvin was always the King, with Kansas his Heir Apparent, and he only answered to Craig. Well, until I became Mommy, he only answered to Craig. One afternoon, I was in his stall with him, combing burrs out of his mane. He snaked his head around and snarled at me. I popped him on the cheek with the comb I was using and used my best"Mom" voice to discourage his nonsense. He certainly looked at me and asked, "And who do you think you are?"

"I'm the Mom, that's who!" I will admit to chuckling...

Calvin rather enjoyed stall life...

When we got to the ranch, Calvin initially lead the boys, reigning over the front pasture. We had to pull him out for some reason - medication or maybe extra feed. While he was out and away from the boys, he saw and fell in love with Naja, our beautiful true black Arabian mare. We decided to put him in the pasture with Naja - and Hopi, Lozen, Mickey Free, Kachina, and... Tell. For the longest time, Calvin was king, chastising Tell for picking on the girls. We pulled Calvin out for some reason, then after a couple days, put him back in.

Craig found him the next morning standing, defeated, in the furthest corner of the pasture. He was savaged. Beaten and bloody, gashed and kicked, the only thing we could discern was Tell had finally had enough of being told what to do, and he showed Calvin, the "old man" who was now in charge. We treated Calvin, and just let him wander the ranch with Peppy for company.

It sounds harsh and brutal, and it is. But nature often is far more harsh and brutal than we humans would prefer. There comes a time in every herd leader's life when the younger ones challenge and assume the mantle upon victory. Tell eventually ran Naja and Hopi out of the pasture as well. His herd consisted of Lozen, Kachina, and Mickey Free, Po Campo, Bolivar, Lippy, and Mouse. He truly didn't want anyone else in his kingdom.

Believe me, what Tell wanted, Tell got...

Calvin...

Calvin expressing himself in his inimitable style...

Among our early guests was an amazing couple. Meredith was in her late 70s, and her husband, Ed, was perhaps 82. We went to Horseshoe Canyon one day, with her on Sambora and him on Calvin. I know I had Tonka, and Craig was likely on Clavo. Anyway, after lunch, Calvin pulled a shoe and I stepped in to say no, I will walk him back to the trailer. He was not to be ridden. (Calvin endured very tender soles, and I could not allow him to be lamed. So we switched tack and put the gentleman on Tonka. A few jigs around the field where we were, and Ed exclaimed, "He's certainly got pep!"

So Calvin and I walked the entire way back, more miles than I care to think of remembering, still, his hoof didn't get too badly chipped up.

There are more Calvin stories which I will tell as I get to them. I do have a special reason for writing about him now, though. And I ask you to humour me...


Not many of the horses were keen to go in the Livery, but Calvin was King...

"Mom, if this goes on social media, watch out next time you ride me..."

Five years ago, about the middle of August, I was humbled to witness the bravest, most courageous act of love ever between horse and human. Calvin had tweaked his back so while his front end would walk forward, his back end went sort of sideways with his right leg not operating at full function.Sport had done a similar thing, and there is just nothing you can do for them. Because Calvin was so long-backed, it rendered him ultra vulnerable

I had gone out to feed The Pensioners after my coffee. It had rained during the night, so the ground was damp. I found Calvin down in the middle front pen. From the churned up dirt, I could tell he had been struggling for hours to stand. He was lying on his "good" leg, and was exhausted. Heart in my throat, I raced in to tell Craig. Mind you, Craig was never ever ever ever ever able to make "that" decision regarding his animals. Ever. He left that up to me. On Calvin's behalf, I insisted and Craig finally, reluctantly, agreed.

I went back out to check on Calvin while Craig took the backhoe to prepare his beloved companion's resting place. What I found furthered our heartbreak. Calvin had pushed and pulled and scooted himself through the gate of the pen and out into the open. Standing there, watching, I saw this horse fight against a failing body and stand up the very moment Craig came around the trailers from his sorrowful toil in Tell's pasture.


"The sign said 'All You Can Eat'...

Calvin did not want his daddy to see him on the ground. He wanted his last moments on earth to be upright, wobbling but upright. He wanted his Daddy to see him standing, on his own power, facing his farewell as he had faced his life. Proudly. Bravely. Head on.

It was the single greatest, most selfless proof of love I have ever seen. Craig dissolved. I dissolved. Josh dissolved. Still, Calvin stood like a statue, saying goodbye to the man who loved him so deeply.

Four years, and the tears still flow to recount this unprecedented feat.

Calvin near Balance Rock at the Chiricahua National Monument...

Craig said his goodbyes, then went to hide in the office. Josh kept me upright, then tended to the details afterward. I took a goodly section of Calvin's tail for a memento to be created for Craig. He didn't know I had done that, so the look on his face and the tears in his eyes when he held his boy's tail in his hand again fomented a fresh flow all around.

And Craig holds his boy in his hand forever more. Just as Cochise was buried with his favourite horse and favourite dog, so Calvin and Cleat are with Craig.

Four years, and the tears still flow...