Thursday, December 26, 2013

Chinese (zodiac) Year of the Horse


Happy New Year, but wait the best new year doesn't start until Jan. 31, 2014.  I'll explain...

If you were born between the following dates: 02/11/1918 - 01/31/1919, 01/30/1930 - 02/16/1931, 02/15/1942 - 02/04/1943, 02/03/1954 - 01/23/1955, 01/21/1966 - 02/08/1967, 02/07/1978 - 01/27/1979, 01/27/1990 - 02/14/1991, 02/12/2002 - 01/31/2003, you were born during the Chinese (zodiac) Year of the Horse.  The Year of the Horse starts from Jan. 31, 2014 (the Lunar New Year and Spring Festival of China) and lasts to Feb. 18, 2015.

Because I was born during the Year of the Horse I have always considered these years as very lucky for me.  My son Michael was also born during one - what could be luckier?

Lord knows we could use a little good luck around our place, so I'm really looking forward to Jan. 31, 2014

Friday, December 20, 2013

Merry Christmas 2013


If you've been following of my blog over the past couple of years I hope you've enjoyed my many tales about cowboys, horses, canoeing, Chatsworth movie locations and family history.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  We hope to see you again in 2014.  Until then Kasidy sends her best Holiday kisses.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Three Stooges at the Iverson Ranch


The Three Stooges started out as a vaudeville slapstick comedy act in the 1930s, and are best known for their numerous short subject films.

The act started as Ted Healy and his Southern Gentlemen, consisting of Moe Howard, his brother Shemp, and Larry Fine.  Over the years the stars changed, and -- at one time or another -- included Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Shemp Howard, Joe Besser and Joe DeRita.

Three Stooges films lensed on the Iverson Ranch in Chatsworth include:


Gold Raiders (1951) starring George O'Brien and (Three Stooges) Moe Howard, Shemp Howard and Larry Fine (Iverson Ranch) United Artists 


Have Rocket, Will Travel (1959) starring (Three Stooges) Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe DeRita (Iverson Ranch) Columbia


The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962) starring (Three Stooges) Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe DeRita and Vicki Trickett (Iverson Ranch) Normandy Prod.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

‪Reel Cowboys of the Santa Susanas -- John Agar‬


John Agar (1921–2002) was an American born film and television actor.  His premier role was opposite John Wayne, Henry Fonda and Shirley Temple in John Ford's Fort Apache (1948).  His first wife was Shirley Temple.

John Agar's Santa Susana locations filmography includes:


Fort Apache (1948) starring John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple, Pedro Armendáriz (Corriganville) RKO


The Magic Carpet (1951) starring Lucille Ball, John Agar, Patricia Medina, George Tobias (Iverson Ranch) Katzman Corp.


Flesh and the Spur (1957) starring John Agar, Marla English, Mike Connors, Raymond Hatton (Iverson Ranch) AIP

Waco (1966) starring Howard Keel, Jane Russell, Brian Donlevy, Wendell Corey (Iverson Ranch) A.C. Lyles Prod.


The Undefeated (1969) starring John Wayne, Rock Hudson, Antonio Aguilar, Roman Gabriel (Iverson Ranch) 20th Century Fox

"The Virginian" (TV Series) episodes: The Mustangers (1968);  Another's Footsteps (1964)

"Death Valley Days" (TV Series) episode: Pioneer Doctor (1963)

"Bat Masterson" (TV Series) episode: Farmer with a Badge (1961)

"Whirlybirds" (TV Series) episode: Four Little Indians (1960)


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Adios Katie, vaya con Dios


Miss Kate's Best Gingham aka Katie born Jan 26, 2006, Tampa, FL


Katie, my registered Dalmatian, died with bone cancer Dec 9, 2013, Woodland Hills, CA


RIP Katie darlin'.  You will be missed.  Katie was a true coach dog that loved our horses.


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

More Funny Business on the Iverson Ranch


With it's magnificent rock outcroppings, rugged chaparral, and oak tree studded landscape Chatsworth's Iverson Movie Ranch, and it's 25 miles of scenic chase roads was the perfect back drop for the antics of such comedy greats as Abbott and Costello, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball and Marjorie Main.

Over several decades dozens of delightful comedies were lensed on the Iverson Ranch.  Included here is a second list of a few of my favorites... 


Son of Paleface (1952) - Bob Hope, Jane Russell, Roy Rogers and Trigger (Iverson Ranch) Paramount


Fancy Pants (1950) - Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Bruce Cabot and Jack Kirkwood (Chatsworth Trains) Paramount


Mexican Hayride (1948) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Virginia Grey and Luba Malina (Iverson Ranch) Universal


The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Marjorie Main and Audrey Young (Iverson Ranch) Universal


The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock (1959) starring Lou Costello, Dorothy Provine, Gale Gordon and Jimmy Conlin (Iverson Ranch) Columbia


Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Fred Clark and Lynn Bari (Iverson Ranch) Universal


Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm (1951) starring Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Richard Long and Meg Randall (Iverson Ranch) Universal


The photo above was taken just west of the old Chatsworth train depot shot during a scene in Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955)

In another post we'll have a look at the Three Stooges and their Iverson Ranch adventures.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Reel Cowboys of the Santa Susanas -- Bob Allen


Robert "Bob" Allen (1906 - 1998) (left above - photo courtesy of Bruce Hickey) was an American born film actor, and B-Western cowboy star.  Bob broke into the movies in the mid 1920s.  

And, by 1937, along with sidekick Wally Wales (aka Hal Taliaferro), he starred in six films for director Spencer Gordon Bennet.  

The films became known as the Bob Allen Ranger series.  Three of the ranger series movies were lensed in Chatsworth's Santa Susana Mountains.


Law of the Ranger (1937) starring Robert Allen, Elaine Shepard and John Merton (Brandeis Ranch)(Iverson Ranch) Columbia


Ranger Courage (1937) starring Robert Allen, Martha Tibbetts and Walter Miller (Iverson Ranch)(Burro Flats) Columbia


Reckless Ranger (1937) starring Robert Allen, Louise Small and Mary MacLaren (Brandeis Ranch)(Iverson Ranch)(Burro Flats) Columbia

Friday, November 22, 2013

Funny Business on the Iverson Ranch


With it's magnificent rock outcroppings, rugged chaparral, and oak tree studded landscape Chatsworth's Iverson Movie Ranch, and it's 25 miles of scenic chase roads was the perfect back drop for the antics of such comedy greats as Abbott and Costello, Bob Hope, Laurel and Hardy, and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

Over several decades dozens of delightful comedies were lensed on the Iverson Ranch.  Included here is a short list of a few of my favorites... 


Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Dick Foran and Johnny Mack Brown (Iverson Ranch) Universal.  For more information about this classic see http://a-drifting-cowboy.blogspot.com/2012/07/best-chatsworth-movies-ride-em-cowboy.html


Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Dick Foran and Johnny Mack Brown (Iverson Ranch) Universal.


The Flying Deuces (1939) starring Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy and Jean Parker (Iverson Ranch) Boris Morros Prod.


Pardners (1956) starring Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Lori Nelson and Jeff Morrow (Iverson Ranch) Paramount


Here's a short (four minute) clip with a few of my favorite scenes in the above films.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Reel Little Cowboy of the Santa Susanas -- Sammy McKim


Sammy McKim (1924 – 2004) was a Canadian born child film actor (photo above far right).  He is best known for his roles in several of Republic Picture's "Three Mesquiteers" Western titles.

Sammy McKim's Santa Susana locations supporting roles filmography:

Annie Oakley (1935) starring Barbara Stanwyck, Preston Foster and Melvyn Douglas (Iverson Ranch) RKO

Cowboy Star, The (1936) starring Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith and Si Jenks (Iverson Ranch)(Brandeis Ranch) Columbia


Hit the Saddle (1937) starring Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune (Iverson Ranch) Republic


Gunsmoke Ranch (1937) starring Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Heart of the Rockies (1937) starring Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Trigger Trio, The (1937) starring Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune and Ralph Byrd (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Old Wyoming Trail, The (1937) starring Charles Starrett, Donald Grayson and Barbara Weeks (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

Old Barn Dance, The (1938) starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette and Joan Valerie (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Lone Ranger, The (1938)[serial] starring Silver King the Horse, Chief Thundercloud and Lynne Roberts (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Call the Mesquiteers (1938) starring Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan and Max Terhune (Iverson Ranch) Republic


Red River Range (1938) starring John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune (Corriganville) Republic (photo courtesy of Bruce Hickey)


Night Riders, The (1939) starring John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune (Corriganville) Republic (photo courtesy of Bruce Hickey)

Western Caravans (1939) - Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith and Dick Curtis (Iverson Ranch) Columbia

New Frontier (1939) starring John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, Raymond Hatton (Corriganville)(Iverson Ranch) Republic

Rovin' Tumbleweeds (1939) starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette and Mary Carlisle (Burro Flats) Republic

Rocky Mountain Rangers (1940) starring Robert Livingston, Raymond Hatton, Duncan Renaldo (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Texas Terrors (1940) starring Don 'Red' Barry, Julie Duncan and Arthur Loft (Iverson Ranch) Republic

Sergeant York (1941) starring Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan and Joan Leslie (Burro Flats) Warner Bros.

Wild Bill Hickok Rides (1942) starring Constance Bennett, Bruce Cabot, Warren William (Iverson Ranch) Warner Bros.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Cowboy Collectibles -- Askew Saddlery's 40th Anniversary Watch Fob


In 1866, after the end of the Civil War, William Askew moved to Kansas City, Missouri.  There he established a leather and harness hardware business with his brother Wilson Askew, a nephew Frank Askew, and fellow named Dubois.  The small business employed 6 craftsmen, and was known as Askew, Dubois & Company.

In 1873, Dubois retired and the business was renamed WW & F Askew Company for William, Wilson and Frank Askew.  

In 1878, when William Askew retired from the company the business was renamed again to Askew Brothers Saddlery Company.

Finally in 1894, the company was incorporated as the Askew Saddlery Company with Wilson Askew as President and Frank Askew as Vice President.

The Askew Saddlery Company was among the first saddle-makers to provide quality saddles to working Cowboys in the business of driving beef to market in Kansas City, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois. 

Over the years the Askew Saddle became known as a superior product -- made with excellent materials by expert craftsmen.

By 1906, when the company celebrated its 40th anniversary, the factory employed over 135 craftsmen as well as many office workers, and sales staff.

The Askew Saddlery Company ended when it was purchased by the Harpham Brothers Saddlery in 1928 -- just before the beginning of Great Depression in 1929.


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Reel Cowboys of the Santa Susanas -- Howard Duff


Howard Duff (1913 - 1990) was an American actor of film, television, stage, and radio. He was probably best known for his role as a detective on the "Felony Squad" television series.


Calamity Jane and Sam Bass (1949) starring Yvonne De Carlo, Howard Duff and Dorothy Hart (Iverson Ranch) Universal


Blackjack Ketchum, Desperado (1956) starring Howard Duff, Victor Jory and Margaret Field (Iverson Ranch) Columbia


Sierra Stranger (1957) starring Howard Duff, Gloria McGehee and Dick Foran (Bell Ranch) Columbia

"Bonanza" (TV Series) episode 
"Enter Mark Twain" (1959) as Samuel Clemens / Mark Twain

"The Virginian" (TV Series) episodes: 
"The Town Killer" (1971) as Stuart Masters
"A Distant Fury" (1963) as Ed Frazer

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Was Cousin Daniel A Potawatomi Chief?

Painting of Potawatomi Chief Topinabee

Some fur trade history researchers believe Daniel Bourassa (born 12 Jun 1780) in Den Haut, Mackinac, (Michigan) was also Topinabee a Potawatomi chief

Scholarly Research Disagrees…

The following excerpt is from the writings of Susan Sleeper-Smith, associate professor of history at Michigan State University, and coeditor of New Faces of the Fur Trade: Selected Papers of the Seventh North American Fur Trade Conference. Information gathered for her book, Indian Women and French Men: Rethinking Cultural Encounter in the Western Great Lakes, was from thorough research of the Michigan historical societies and old documented church records for accurate historical preservation.  See source http://www.wiskigeamatyuk.com/Joseph_and_Madeleine_Bertrand.htm

"Marguerite Bertrand and Daniel Bourassa had their first child in 1780 then married on 20 July 1786.  Before their marriage, Daniel Bourassa had what was noted as "marital relations with a savage of the Potawatomi Nation".  As a result of this affair with the Potawatomi woman, Daniel Bourassa had a daughter named Madeline Bourassa (1/2 French and 1/2 Potawatomi) in 1781.

On August 13, 1818, Madeline Bourassa married Joseph Bertrand I who was also known as Joseph Bertrand Sr.  Joseph Bertrand Sr. was the brother of Marguerite Bertrand, wife of Madeline's father Daniel Bourassa.  Joseph Bertrand Sr. was a step-uncle to Madeline Bourassa thru her father's marriage to Marguerite Bertrand, but were not related by blood.  From this time forward, Madeline Bourassa was known and documented as Madeline Bertrand.

Today's misunderstanding of Madeline Bertrand's origin has been traced to the late 1880s and early 1890s.  Some very old local residents of Bertrand were interviewed in these early accounts.  These interviews were known to be the origin of confusion of her being a daughter of Chief Topinabee.  After these accounts, it was known to have spun out of control as many writers interested in the Bertrand family have copied and continued the false documentation and reports of Chief Topinabee as the father of Madeline.

It is believed that many of the great Bertrand descendants have romanticized the idea of their great relative, Madeline Bertrand, being the biological daughter of the Principal Potawatomi Chief Topinabee making her a fantasized "Indian Princess", a European term.  Within this romanticized fantasy, tales of her life have even stated she chose to live within the dwelling of a teepee or wigwam, established behind the log cabin belonging to her husband and family, rather than live within her family's cabin itself.

Stories such as this have been created based on theory or pure imagination to add fantasy and create a little more Indian folklore to the life of Madeline Bertrand. Even two plaques were born and established in tribute of this rumored and romanticized biological kinship of both the Chief and Madeline within the Niles of Michigan. These plaques along with Madeline Bertrand Park were established in 1985-1986 when the rumor was in full speed. However, one of the plaques was noted without confidence stating: "Madeline, said to be the daughter of Potawatomi Chief Topenebee." This plaque contradicts the Bertrand plaque which continues the rumored tale that Madeline was the daughter of Chief Topinabee. On Madeline Bertrand's plaque, she is noted as "said to be". On Bertrand's plaque she is noted as "the daughter of". Obviously not enough research was done before these plaques were created and established in 1985-1986. But Madeline being the daughter of the Principal Potawatomi Chief would give for a much more exciting story people love to hear.

Unfortunately, the documented facts show this is clearly false. Madeline's own son, Benjamin Bertrand, stated that his mother was Madeline Bourassa, daughter of Daniel Bourassa. This information came directly from her flesh and blood, not thru rumors created generations later."

But, Native American Oral Tradition Says He Was Topinabee

Then again there is an equally compelling argument, based on oral tradition, passed down by Daniel's descendants, members of the Potawatomi tribe, who insist he was Chief Topinabee.

The following excerpt is from an October 1986 article in the How-Ni-Kan (Vol. 8, No. 10) titled "The French Connection," published by the Citizen Band Potawatomi Tribe in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.  See source http://www.potawatomi.org/pubinfo/HowNiKan/Volume08No101986.pdf

"In 1744, Rene Bourassa married Ann Charlotte Veronica Chevalier, fur trader Louis Chevalier's sister.

Their son, Daniel, and the principal chief of the Potawatomi, Topinabee, appear to be one and the same, and Daniel's daughter, Magdelene Bourassa, is referred to as Topinabee's daughter.


In 1818 she married Joseph Bertrand, a prominent fur trader who flourished in the St. Joseph area, and who took his furs to Mackinac. 

He is listed as a trader in the American Fur Company records for 1817 and was undoubtedly associated with the earlier Mackinac Company."

Daniel Bourassa is my 2nd cousin 6x removed -- our connection looks like this:

Daniel 1st Bourassa (1752 - 1830)
is my 2nd cousin 6x removed

Rene 2nd Bourassa (1718 - 1792)
father of Daniel 1st Bourassa

Rene 1st Bourassa (1688 - 1778)
father of Rene 2nd Bourassa

Francois Bourassa (1659 - 1708)
father of Rene 1st Bourassa

Marie Elisabeth Bourassa (1695 - 1766)
daughter of Francois Bourassa

Joseph Pinsonneau (Pinsono) (1733 - 1779)
son of Marie Elisabeth Bourassa

Gabriel Pinsonneau (Pinsono) (1770 - 1813)
son of Joseph Pinsonneau (Pinsono)

Gabriel (Gilbert) Passino (Passinault) (Pinsonneau) (1803 - 1877)
son of Gabriel Pinsonneau (Pinsono)

Lucy Passino (1836 - 1917)
daughter of Gabriel (Gilbert) Passino (Passinault) (Pinsonneau)

Abraham Lincoln Brown (1864 - 1948)
son of Lucy Passino - great grandfather

Genealogy of my Bourassa Family in Canada and the United States

GENERATION 1.
Francois Bourassa (7th great grandfather)
Birth 1659 in Luçon, Eure-et-Loir, Centre, France
Death 9 May 1708 in Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Marriage 9 Jan 1681, Contrecoeur, Quebec, Canada
Marie Le Ber (7th great grandmother)
Birth 6 Dec 1666 in Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Death 23 Dec 1756 in La Prairie, Quebec, Canada

Notes:

Francois signed on as a Coureur De Bois to go to Fort Michilimackinac -- a French fort and trading post located along the southern shore of the strategic Straits of Mackinac connecting Lake Huron and Lake Michigan -- in 1690, but did not return in the fall 1691 as planned.  

What happened to Francois was unknown.  Marie believed her husband was dead and she was referred to as a widow in September 1693.  But Francois returned safe and sound in 1694.  Francois died in Montrèal, Quebec, Canada, on 9 May 1708; he was 49.

GENERATION 2.
Rene Bourassa 1st (6th great grand uncle)
Birth 21 Dec 1688 in Laprairie, Quebec, Canada
Death 7 Sep 1778 in Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Marriage 1 
• Agnes Gagne 23 Oct 1710 Laprairie, Quebec, Canada
Marriage 2
Marie Catherine Leriger 28 Sep 1721 Laprairie, Quebec, Canada

Notes:

In the early decades of the 18th century the merchants in the English colonies were paying on the average twice the French price for beaver pelts. Tempted by these profits, René Bourassa, dit La Ronde, ventured into the extensive illicit trade between Montreal and Albany, New York. He was caught, however, and in July 1722 fined 500 livres.

By 1726 he had entered the western trade, which his father had followed over 30 years earlier. In partnership with Nicolas Sarrazin and François Lefebvre Duplessis Faber, Bourassa dispatched canoes to the pays den haut in 1726. The following year he traded to Baie-des-Puants (Green Bay, Wis.), where Duplessis was commandant. Although his main focus was the western trade, in March 1729 Bourassa carried letters to New England, a trip which was often cover for illegal trade. By 1735 he was connected with business associates of Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye. In that year Bourassa hiredengagés to go to La Vérendrye’s posts at Fort Saint-Charles (on Lake of the Woods) and Fort Maurepas (a few miles above the mouth of the Red River). He himself was at Saint-Joseph (Niles, Mich.) in July but wintered with the explorer at Saint-Charles. Early in June 1736 Bourassa and four others set out for Michilimackinac (Mackinaw City, Mich.). Suddenly they were captured by some 100 Prairie Sioux warriors, who claimed the French were arming their enemies. The war party was preparing to burn Bourassa at the stake when his Sioux slave girl dramatically pleaded for his life and he was released. He and his men subsequently escaped empty-handed to Michilimackinac, but the Sioux ambushed Jean-Baptiste Gaultier de La Vérendrye’s party, which was following some miles behind, and killed its 21 members.
Bourassa returned to the west in the late fall. Ignoring the elder La Vérendrye’s directive to join him at Fort Saint-Charles, Bourassa and Laurent-Eustache Gamelin, dit Châteauvieux, constructed a post at Vermilion (near the mouth of the Vermilion River, Minn.) and wintered there with a number of Ojibwas. In the spring of 1737 Bourassa went east to Michilimackinac.

After 1737 his trade appears to have centred around that post. He sold 45 pots of wine to Pierre-Joseph Céloron de Blainville for the French and Indians going south to fight the Chickasaws in 1739 and in subsequent years he sold goods used in negotiations with various tribes. Despite unsettled conditions throughout the west, Bourassa moved his family to Michilimackinac during the 1740s. He became a prominent member of the small trading community, owning one of its 40 houses, another lot in the fort, and a meadow outside. A number of slaves helped manage his properties. By the late 1740s Bourassa was apparently semi-retired, and his business was handled primarily by his sons René and Ignace. He had an active social life, attending numerous baptisms and weddings. Marriage ties linked him to other prominent families in the fort. In 1744 his son René had married the daughter of Jean-Baptiste Chevalier and in 1754 his daughter Charlotte-Ambroisine married Charles-Michel Mouet de Langlade.

When Ojibwas organized by Minweweh captured Michilimackinac from the British garrison in 1763 Bourassa must have been apprehensive. The Indians disliked him and they killed all his horses and cows before the British returned in September 1764. Perhaps this disaster prompted his return to Montreal, for even though he apparently got along well with the new commandant, William Howard (who called him a man of “good character”), he soon left Michilimackinac. His son Ignace, however, continued trading there until 1775. René Bourassa’s remaining years were spent in Montreal, where he died in 1778.

GENERATION 3.
Rene Bourassa 2nd (1st cousin 7x removed)
Birth 1 Jun 1718 in Laprairie, Quebec, Canada
Death 24 Nov 1792 in Detroit, New France, Michigan, United States
Marriage 3 Aug 1744 Michillimackinac, Mackinac, Michigan, United States
Anne Charlotte Veronique Chevalier [a Mackinac Metis] b-1726 Mackinac, baptised 1746, died 1792, daughter Jean Baptiste Chavalier (1677-1752)

GENERATION 4.
Daniel Bourassa 1st (2nd cousin 6x removed)
Birth 8 Oct 1752 in Michilimackinac French Settlement, now Mackinac, MI
Death 1830 in Mackinac Island, Mackinac, Michigan, United States
Marriage
Marguerite Bertrand 20 Jul 1786 St Ignace, Mackinac, Michigan, USA

Potawatomi men - circa 1859

GENERATION 5.
Daniel Bourassa 2nd (3rd cousin 5x removed)
Birth 12 Jun 1780 in Den Haut, Mackinac, Michigan, United States
Death 27 Feb 1840 in Sugar Creek, Miami, Kansas, United States
Marriage
Theotis Pisange Arnwaske "Théotés, sauvagesse" 20 May 1826 Peoria, Illinois

I'm still studying this one, so let me know what your research reveals.



Friday, October 18, 2013

Cowboy Wisdom -- Good-Bye Old Pal

This morning when I turned Sunup out he staggered and almost fell. I thought maybe he had had a stroke, but the vet discovered a broken tendon that holds his right hip in place. 

Horses are luckier than people... Sunup won't have to suffer with a steel rod in his leg. 

Instead he's grazing on tall, sweet grass and cool clear water in horse heaven. 











Sunup, American Quarter Horse, Palomino... about 1983 -- 18 October 2013

Vaya con Dios old pal.