Lee (Assertive Lee, by Jay O'Lee out of Miss Whistle Stop) was born at the Sherman farm in San Marcos the spring of 1980. Dave and I married that August.
Thirty two and a half years ago.
A lot has happened during this one horse's lifetime.
Lee was what horsey people call "a spirited ride" -- he preferred to prance and jog to walking, which could just about jiggle your breakfast free and your teeth loose. But he really seemed to enjoy rides in the forest and fields. Many horses are "barn sour" -- as soon as you turn toward home, they speed up and fight to run pell mell into the barn. Lee actually slowed to a walk on our way home. He had the most amazing floating trot, seeming to suspend in air like a calliope horse.
Once, when Sara was having a particularly horrid teenage day, Lee was the tonic... "Hey Sara, wanna go for a ride?" nah, ma, not today. "You can ride Lee." Oh? Really? Sure! ~It was the first time I'd let her ride Lee, and I think it must have felt like she was 10 feet above the ground. Lee was 16+ hands tall, and her normal mount, an Arabian, was maybe 15 hands (1 hand = 4 inches). Anyway, Lee made the day much less horrid. That's a gift.
We referred to him as our PuppyHorse. He came when called, followed me around without halter or lead, liked to stand with his head on my shoulder. His favorite trick was to get a big mouthful of water and let it dribble down Jerry's back. Can horses smile? Yes.
I can still feel his head on my shoulder and his breath on my cheek.
