I had the great good fortune yesterday to be invited over to our friend’s, Angel and Jason’s family farm. Their farm is a beautiful thing with deep forests, wide open, massive fields and a flowing creek that winds through the property, its clear, cool water shaded by huge oaks.

As I say, it is a beautiful piece of land and well worth the visit just for the natural beauty alone, but I also had an ulterior motive. You see, about three years ago we sold our friends a young yearling, one of the first colts born on Almosta ranch and I wanted to visit the youngster and see how he was faring in his new home.

It only seemed natural for me to check up on him, after all I had just come back from a twelve day stay in Texas where I visited and checked up on my grown human children, so I figured I should do the same with one of my equine children.

To me, it is only right for Mel and I to consider the young horse whose name is Bogey, to be like a four-legged son after all, we had our hands on him literally from the moment of his birth. When he was only a month or so old I would walk out into the pasture where he was standing next to him mother and call to him softly: “Come on Bogey, let’s go for a walk.” and he would trot unsteadily to me on those spindly legs and, upon reaching me, he would push his head into my chest….an invitation to scratch his ears. Then he would follow behind me as I walked around the pasture, no lead rope necessary.

Mel and I spent the first year of Bogey’s life teaching him all the basics he would need to know in order to become a success in his life as a first class mount and saddle horse and, just like with human children, we couldn’t help but wonder if little Bogey would live up to all his potential and become the horse we believed he could become.

I wanted to see for myself and besides…I really did miss the little fellow.

So it was that I found myself, yesterday, sitting in my friend’s truck and scanning the surrounding fields and forests for any sign of Bogey and his companion horse that have the run of this extensive farm.

“They could be anywhere.” Angel warned. “But usually they stay fairly close to the big field, back the shade of the forest when it’s hot.”

I scanned the wood line but saw nothing, then I climbed out of the truck, ducked under the electric fence, and walked across the field until I reached the forest. I stood still for a moment, then I called his name: “Bogey! Where are you boy?”

Hearing no sound, I stepped off into the woods and walked forty or fifty feet. I stopped again and called his name. Suddenly, about another fifty yards ahead of me I caught movement. Then my eyes, having adjusted to the dark shade of the forest, made out the outline of a horse’s head swinging in my direction.

It was Bogey. He and his companion, a beautiful, older, paint mare, had been laying beneath a large oak, taking a nap in the heat of the afternoon sun. He stood up and I could see at once how big he had grown. He was now twice as large as the day he left the ranch for his new home. Long graceful neck, powerful shoulders and sleek back, he was the spitting image of his mother, Lucy. I wondered, fleetingly, if he had retained the sweet, calm disposition of his father, Billy which he had as a young colt.

I need not have worried. Bogey trotted toward me, ears forward, eyes bright. His companion hung back, not sure who this stranger was, standing in their domain.

Bogey turned his head and nickered at her as if to say: “Oh come on, it’s just dad, come to visit.”

And he did recognize me. After three years absence, Bogey trotted right up to me and lowered his head into my chest…the equitant of a hug from a horse….and stood still while I stroked his ears and neck. I walked slowly around the great horse, running my hands along his sides and legs, marveling at how well he had filled out and I smiled. No reason for me to worry about this one, I knew. He had fulfilled all his physical potential and he seemed to be his old sweet self. One way to find out though.

I turned my back on Bogey and begin to walk back toward the truck. As I walked, I held out my hand and called softly to the horse: “Come on Bogey, let’s go for a walk.”

With no hesitation at all Bogey began walking behind me, following me out into the field where Mel waited. We had a great visit.

So there was no need for me to worry. Just like my human children, Bogey had grown to his potential and was well on his way to being a success in his life as a horse. Later this year they plan on sending Bogey to a professional trainer to complete his schooling….like college for our human children….and I have no doubts he will pass with flying colors and will soon take his place as a full fledged working and pleasure horse on the Sisk farm.

I couldn’t be prouder. My hope now is to visit Bogey again after he finishes “College” and take him for a long ride around that beautiful farm so he can show off his new home to his “Dad”.