I have so many wonderful memories of him. Some I hold close to my heart and seldom repeat, my own little private moments, like our last ride. I will share a few here though, to let everyone know the versatility of the arabian breed and the true gentleness they hold for children, they are not crazy horses, they are smart, beautiful animals that take a smart owner to really appreciate them.

It was a cold January morning, my birthday. I was outside with Jester and I heard the phone. I ran to pick it up... figuring it would be my roommate's work. No, it was the boarding facility where Roscoe lived. All I heard was we can't get ahold of your mom, and Roscoe won't get up. The dreaded day had come. This dear ole friend was calling it quits. So, I threw on some boots and ran to the car and stopped to get mom on the speeding trip to the farm. No Jacket of course but I was numb, how was I to say goodbye to such a dear old friend? I had thought about this day for the last 5 years quietly in my mind. Ros had been diagnosed with Cushings syndrome and had been given 2-3 years to live. With the help of a great doctor, he was able to spend a few extra years with us, not suffering, and every moment appreciated. But, this winter had really taken a toll on him and the question was there everyday.

Memories flooded my thinking as the Doctor and I got him to his feet. Ros was done, and there was no thinking otherwise. He wanted to be running free again and out of pain. So, we took him to the area where he was to be burried and he lay down. In the snow hugging this warm neck, my mind drifted back. There were the summer days of me on the "crazy" young arabian riding him down the road bareback, halter and lead rope, and then meeting up with my QH friends and racing through hay fields. My arabian always winning of course! The times we went to the neighbors to round up the cows. The horse shows, the many wins and losses. Our career in acting, Ros the arab was an indian pony and I his indian girl in the video made of the black hawk war. The parades. The silly way this horse would shake your hand for a treat or bow when asked nicely. Setting him free was hard. I thought of all the times I free longed him and he would come at me snorting, yet stop and let me climb upon his back with no bridle, just me and the horse and he would be so nice and calm. I thought back to a day I remembered him in the snow, tail flagged, head tucked, trotting like a locomotive. I will remember everything. This is the horse that was hotter than hot when he came to us, yet I could ride him all over the country side. He was a true babysitter and friend. Always taking care of me in my stupid adventures. Roscoe did many things in his lifetime. He was a saddleseat horse, hunter, jumped a bit, mom's driving horse, a bit of western, you name it. I think what he will always be most remembered by was his way with children, he touched many young lives and taught many children how to ride. A soul as kind as his has to be allowed in the green pastures of heaven. So, here we were, in the cold snow, saying goodbye to this dear old friend. Mom was about going crazy, but I thought of what a dear friend told me. "talk to him calmly in his final time so he knows it is ok to go" So, I told my mother to talk to him and gave him one last hug and held on. Soon he was gone. I could feel him drift way. But the last thing I said to that silly old guy was thank you.

Thank you Ros for giving this family a joy in such hard years. For being a constant companion to all of us. For teaching those kids to stay on their toes when riding. For your silly nature when life was tough. For holding on until we could say goodbye. And most of all, thank you Ros for that last ride. Your human family will meet you at the bridge someday. I know who is on your back now and I know she is taking good care of you. We will never forget a thing you gave to us for all the memories of you are so dear.

Roscoe gave me a birthday to remember, not the happiest of days, but all I had hoped for is that he would hold on for us to be there to say goodbye. And that he did.

Roscoe was the type of horse you just don't come across everyday. Thank you to my mother who knew what she was doing when she bought him and for holding on to him through all the years.

View Roscoe's Pedigree

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