Poor old Jose.....

[highsider]

My bestest buddy in the whole world (because very few people like me ) Jose is a 20+ year old Mexican Mustang. Here's a couple of pics of Mick getting introduced to him a couple winters ago:




I had pretty much retired Jose because he was old, and because he deserved it. He carried my pregnant wife (right up to 9 months!) around on trail rides and team pennings, and never missed a step. The horse was a workaholic his whole life who could go all day, never quit, and loved chasing cattle and racing (and beating) younger horses.

Lots of good stories, but I can't type them all because I'll cry like a little bitch.

Anyway, I brought old Jose down to my cousin's ranch in Virginia for the winter, the first of his official retirement. I figured the warmer weather and open pasture would be a good vacation from the nasty Vermont winter. My cousin called me yesterday to tell me that he had the vet come down, because Jose had lost about 200 lbs in the past 2 weeks! They drew blood, and it appears he has a tumor or cancer, and is terminal. The vet is coming to farm later today to put him to sleep.

I will be getting some spendy Tequila tonight in honor of my old Mexican buddy.

[Sidewinder]

That really sucks man but it looks like a he had a long happy life, it sucks having a buddy die even if they are not human.

[Awesome]

Here's to Jose. I'll have a drink to him tonight.

[oreo_n2]

Sorry to hear Chris... here's to Jose!

[highsider]

Thanks, guys. Anyone have a recommendation for some good tequila? I never drink it, but I will tonight.

Since I hate sappy threads, a couple of amusing stories about Jose -

When I bought him, I put him out in the pasture with all of my others right away. My wife's horse, who is a good foot taller and outweighed Jose by about 500 lbs., immediately went over him a tried to start a fight. Jose spun around, kicked everloving shit out of him, then went over and sniffed noses with him as if to say, "Now that we have that straight, can we be buddies?" My wife's big moose of a horse never fucked with him again.

I also taught my sister to ride on him. One day, she wanted to learn how to gallop. We were riding down a dirt road, and I was on a much younger horse, so I told her to go ahead, and if she got into trouble I would catch up and grab her reins and get her stopped. Everything was going pretty well until Jose noticed me and my horse catching up; he decided it was a race. Being that I was riding a much younger horse, I spurred on and tried to catch him. The horse I was riding was 3 years old, and very fast. We never got within 3 horse lengths of Jose, and my sister was getting nervous, so I pulled up my horse. Jose stopped about 50 feet up the road, and looked around his shoulder at us. I swear I heard him say, "There, mother-bitches. I win."

I wish the poor old codger would have at least had a summer out to pasture.

[rjh200]

Sorry for your loss, sounds like he lived a great life with you. I will have some tequilla tonight in a toast.

[JohnnyV]

Patron Silver is one of my favorites, but at $60 a bottle its a bit on the pricy side

[Tricky Mike]

Here's to Jose. I'll have a drink to him tonight.

Bottle of Patron in his honor.

[Jaynnus]

Poor Jose

[RSVMILLE661]

Cabo Wabo is also really good. Here is to your lost cavallo.

[Ducrappy]

my condolences

My favorite Tequilas are: Patron Silver for mixing; or Patron Anejo for straight up

[OreoGaborio]

Sorry to hear bout Jose, bro.

My favorite Tequilas are: Patron Silver for mixing; or Patron Anejo for straight up

I like anejo's for straight-up... w/ a slice o lime. If i've got any tequilla at home i'll be sure to throw one back for him tonight.

[The Snowman]

I had to share this post with my wife, since she owns a horse as well. She had another a few years back since she was 16 and there was an accident at the farm and his leg was broken. They had to put him down that day. My wife was an absolute mess for about a week, so I feel for what you're going through.

A horse is more than just a pet. You have a closer bond to a horse than you would have to a dog or a cat.

My condolences on your loss.

[SVRACER01]

tequila is best frozen

[dhuze]

I would think Jose' Cuervo. I know it's not the good stuff but it is his namesake.

on a possative note, 20+ years is a good run for a horse.

[beet]

Sorry Chris!!! Sux two lose friends.

[kermita]

I raise my margarita glass to Jose. It's amazing how quickly animals find a way into your heart. I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

[Wishbone]

sorry to hear man, tequila for every one tonight (even though i don't like tequila)

and i agree with dan, jose for the name sake (and was that a serious post by him )

[13]

RIP Jose. Very sorry for your loss. I'll raise a glass in his honor.

[dhuze]

sorry to hear man, tequila for every one tonight (even though i don't like tequila)

and i agree with dan, jose for the name sake (and was that a serious post by him )

Holy Crap! I must be slipping. That or the Percosets I'm taking.

[zombie]

he was a really cool animal with a great heart. He let me jump on him bareback and in the snow and he took off like a good thing to show the other horses how it should be done. I went to jump off him and fell on my ass and could almost here him laughing at me.
Sorry for your loss Chris as I know he was part of your family , now rotten banana is going to have to step up and be top dog

[MissTwisties]

Sorry for your loss...

[highsider]

Thanks for the kind comments everyone.

Jose was put to sleep on Saturday. He went out like the tough sumbitch he was - they had to lead him out to a back pasture where they were going to bury him, which was maybe 1/4 mile walk. They were leading him behind a 4 wheeler, and he insisted on jogging behind it. When they went slow, he tried to pass it.

Considering he hadn't eaten or drank anything in about 3 days, the vet was amazed he was even standing, let alone jogging.

I still have about 1/2 bottle of Patron Silver at home.....the 1/2 I drank was very good, thanks for the recommendation.

[Half Squid]

I have some Cabo here at home for a drink in hunor of Jose.

Sorry for your loss Chris, he seemed like a great horse that weekend we crashed at your place.

[ninja]

SO Sorry to hear about your Buddy,It was So sad I cried when I read it, such a beautiful animal,I Love horses and would love to ride because I never have before... SO here's to your Buddy