by Laura Crum
Those
who have read this blog for awhile will know that I have an old friend who
boards his horse with me. I have known Wally since I was a child; he is the
person who taught me to rope, many years ago. He and I have been partners on
several horses, I have trained young horses for him, and for the last fifteen
years or so, I have kept his horses here at my place. Many of the trail rides I
have done with my son have included Wally, not just because I felt safer with
two competent horsemen to support my kid in the event of an emergency, but also
because Wally was always keen to go on any horseback adventure.
Wally
turns eighty this summer, and sadly, age is finally catching up with him. For
the last two weeks he has been unable to ride or rope. Those who actually know
Wally will know what a big statement this is. Wally would ride and rope when he
had pneumonia (yes, literally). He is one tough old cowboy and if he hurts
enough that he won’t climb on a horse, he really hurts.
So
I was both sad and somewhat surprised when Wally told me awhile ago that his
right knee was so swollen and sore that be could barely walk, let alone ride.
He tried to rope, but he said that every time he put weight in his right
stirrup, it felt as if he were being hit in the knee with a hammer And he got
off. Since then, he hasn’t climbed on his horse, or even come out here to mess
with Twister. He’s been too busy going to doctors, and being in and out of the
hospital, as the medical establishment tries to figure out what is wrong with
him. He’s on crutches. He hurts.
We
all know the truth. Very few horsemen keep riding, let alone roping, into their
eighties. I know it; Wally knows it. And yet I think, in a little hidden corner
of our minds, we were all in denial, hoping/expecting that Wally would just
keep on going, sort of like the Energizer Bunny.
There’s
a reason for this. Not only is Wally a tough old cowboy, he’s also one of the
most enthusiastic horsemen I ever knew. Wally really ENJOYS his horses. He
likes being around them and competing on them and riding them outside. He isn’t
bothered if they act up a little. He’s unfailingly cheerful and having fun
every moment he’s on a horse. (Well, except when he misses—or his partner
misses—in the course of a roping run. Those of us who have roped with him know
all about the Wally “scowl” under certain circumstances.)
I’ve
learned a lot from Wally, and one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that
ability to truly enjoy my horses. To forgive them their mistakes and failings
(we all have them), and enjoy what they give me, and just to take delight in
being around them. To be grateful for every moment. Wally has demonstrated this
skill over the years, and I have found it a great inspiration.
For
my part, I’m the one who takes care of the details (Wally isn’t terribly good
at this). I make sure that all our horses get wormed/trimmed/fed..etc in a
timely fashion. I insist that the old ones get retired. I take care of Wally’s
horses just as if they were my own. Wally’s current horse, Twister, has lived
with me since he was six. He’s now fifteen or sixteen (I lose track). Twister
is a member of our family, and I will keep taking care of him, no matter what.
We've shared so many horseback adventures together. For the last five years, Wally
and Twister, my son and Henry, and Sunny and I have been all over the place.
On our local trails--
To
the mountains.
On
the beach.
It
feels like a very sad change not to have Wally riding with us. Both my son and
I are a little adrift. Its not that we can’t ride-- and we still ride a couple
of days a week-- its just that Wally’s enthuiasm, and his drive to go roping,
were a lot of our motivation. We rode at the roping practice and helped gather
and herd the cattle, because Wally wanted to go. Since Wally’s been laid up,
the roping practice is on hold. It feels like everything is changing.
Of
course I hope (we all hope) that Wally will make a full recovery and be back to
riding and roping. And I think it will happen. But he is almost eighty.
Eventually the day will come when he can’t ride or rope any more. And that is
going to be a sad change for us all.
