Bill and Juanita, owners of Allenspark Lodge B&B, are living their dream...

running a successful business and riding as often as possible.



Thursday, December 13, 2018

Rest in Peace, Ranger

It is with a heavy heart I find myself telling you that Ranger Mustang is dead.

It looks like it was colic.

Ranger had been part of my life since just before the turn of the century.  He was bought on December 28, 1999.  That was the day that Clayton Moore died.  Moore played the "Lone Ranger" on the old TV show, and that's how my Ranger got his name. (I thought Clayton would be a terrible name for a horse.)

The BLM guessed his birth year at 1991, but all of the vets we had "toothed" him as 3 to 5 years older.  So we figure he was about 12 years old when we got him.  That's pretty old to be starting an untrained horse. Particularly one that was still just about completely wild.  He didn't trust people AT ALL.

It was a long haul in training.  I probably learned more from him than he learned from me.  I tell people that "I can't be taught, but I can be trained.  There just need to be consequences."  Well, if I did something he didn't understand, or just didn't like, he would consequence the hell out of me.

We did finally reach an understanding.  Ranger is the only horse I have ever had talk to me.  He didn't usually say much, but it was pretty obvious what he had in mind.

Last month Juanita and I took our horses down to winter pasture to run loose for a few months as we do nearly every year.  It's good for the horses' attitudes having time off.  We try to check on them at least once a week or so just to see how they are doing, and get our horse fix.  Yesterday we went down the mountain to check on them.  All of the horses ran up to see what treats we might have brought.  All of the horses but one.

A short search of the pasture turned up Ranger.  He was down.  He appeared to have been down for quite a while, and the grass around him was scarred in a circle around him, probably from him trying to get up.

He was unable to raise his head.

I spent about 5 hours with him, while Juanita made the hour drive up to the lodge and back to get water and a turkey baster to get it into him.  Juanita made the trip again for more water, other supplies, and a short bucket for Ranger to drink out of.

He couldn't raise his head.

His last words to me were  "Tired.  Hurts.  Cold".

It has never been that hard for me to pull a trigger.

Gallop across that bridge, my friend.  You were loved.



Bill



26 comments:

  1. So, so sorry. My heart aches for you all as tears fall. It is never easy, but your last act of love for him was not letting Ranger suffer, the right one for Ranger's sake. RIP Ranger, you were one of a kind and beyond beautiful...

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  2. Summit you made me cry Bill. I know you were too. That's so sad I'm sorry to here this. What a sweet old man he was once he got done educating you. Love to you all...

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  3. Oh Bill...I don't have the words. Sorry sounds so hollow. I have been enjoying staying at your lodge for years, and absolutely love hearing all the stories and adventures you have shared. You posts penned by Ranger were always looked forward to. Above all the calamity and hijinks you two shared, there has always been a clear over-riding sense of the special bond you two shared. My deepest condolences to you and Jaunita. Big Hugs to you both!
    Kim Racine

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  4. I am so very sorry to hear the news. The type of connection and love you had with Ranger and he had with you can be rare..... and so very, very beautiful. My heart goes out to you and Juanita.

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  5. Oh I am very sorry, Bill. I have no words, but just tears. Lots of love.

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  6. </3
    So very, very sorry.. I loved your Ranger & Beel stories..


    Jamie

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  7. R.I.P. Ranger I am so sorry for your loss.

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  8. OH I am so very very sorry. I'm glad that you were with him and able to help his cross the bridge.

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  9. So sorry for your loss. We all will miss Ranger.

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  10. I'm so sorry. Thank you for sharing him with us through your great stories. Peace.

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  11. So very sorry. I will miss the Ranger & Beal conversations.

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  12. So saddened to read this news. Thinking of you in this heartbreaking time. Thank you for sharing Ranger with us through the blog.

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  13. It was obvious from your wonderful stories, that you and Ranger had a very special relationship. Glad you could be with him at the end. I hope your memories will bring you some comfort...

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  14. I am so very sorry. I can't even imagine having to do what you did. That kind of mercy and love is beyond reproach. You and Juanita are two of the best people I know, and I will keep you both in my prayers.

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  15. Oh, Ranger, the world is worse off for losing you. I hope his memory remains strong in you both, and that the love and happiness he gave you is some consolation.

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  16. So sorry to read this. I come to love Ranger through your blog, looked forward to his posts. He was so smart and really knew how to push your buttons. There will never be another Ranger in your life, more horses but no Ranger. Sorry he was down and alone for a while it seemed. That had to hurt but Ranger knew you would come and help him. You did him a great honor by letting him go, helping him go. RIP Ranger.

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  17. What a beautiful horse with a wise soul. Thanks for sharing him with us, and easing his pain. Alloy has some very big shoes to fill.

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  18. Bill, very sorry for your loss. I always wanted to meet Ranger, and I’m kinda kicking myself for not making more of an effort of the summer. My deepest condolences.

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  19. I am so very sorry to hear about Ranger. He was certainly one of a kind, I always enjoyed his conversations with you.

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  20. I am so very sorry. I have always enjoyed your stories of Ranger. What a special horse he was.

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  21. I am so sorry to hear about Ranger. This makes me so sad for you and Juanita. We will sure miss the awesome stories of him and your adventures. I feel like part of the lodge family has moved on. With much sadness to all of us. Rest well Ranger!

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  22. I will miss You!
    Until we meet again...
    God Speed Ranger

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  23. Did you bury him there or take him home one last time or just leave him for nature to take care of him?

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    1. I left him. I think it's what he would have wanted. And I discussed it with the rancher who has the property where they were staying, and he had several other old ones die there over the years, and they were left, too. Just seemed fitting.

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  24. Dang. I am so sorry to read this. Ranger will be sorely missed. Its never easy, but you did the right thing by him. Safe journey, Ranger, until we all meet up again.

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