This is a tribute to my neighbor's horse "Barney".

When we first moved here 5 years ago, our neighbor 2 doors down had this beautiful white arabian horse.  We walked down to see it and it hung its head over the fence and my daughter hugged it tightly, stroking its soft mane and ears.  I was amazed at how gentle this horse was and since I hadn't met the horse or the folks who lived there, I thought I'd see if this was a mare or gelding.  As I looked underneath I realized that I was wrong and this splendent white Arabian was actually a stallion.  I quickly told my daughter to let go and that he was a stallion and that stallions are always unpredictable (I had been bitten by a stallion once!)

As I got to know the neighbors, I found out a lot about this stallion they called Barney.  I thought it was a silly name for a stallion, but it kind of suited him.  They also told me that Barney was 30 years old!  He looked great.  Good conformation, did not walk with a limp, but she said she had to supplement with "senior food" since his teeth were not great!  I complimented them on what great manners he had and how gentle he was with my daughter.  They told me he had always been that gentle and if he wasn't, they would have gotten rid of him.  They also told me he had been ridden competitively in distance events, lots of trail rides, and used for an occasional breeding for some distance horses.  I later found out that he was a son out of one of the most well known Arabian Stallions, Bay Abi+ and Barney's real name is Barn Abi.  They had another beautiful chestnut Arabian mare who has a daughter of his.  Her name is Honey Bee. She too is very sweet and gentle.

Recently, they had to put Barney Down.  He was 35 and had a couple of bad weeks, They had a hard time getting him up every day and decided it was time.  That was no easy decision, and when I was talking with them, I found out that they had Barney all of this 35 years!  

Owning a horse or any animal is a lifelong commitment.  With Barney that was an understatement!  But I know that in turn, he gave my neighbors, their family, and us other folks who met him a lifetime of Love back.

Run Free in Horsey Heaven, Barney!