TT: Mister J Bar and Remembering Grandpa Bob

Grandpa and something made of pure evil

So today is a horrible horrible day for me. Every November 20th since 2008 has a harsh sting that I will never get over. It is the day I lost my grandpa Bob. He was the toughest guy that ever was, surviving Vietnam, being hit multiple times on his motorcycle, liver failure and ultimately a transplant, several comas, and a heart valve replacement. The thing I am still bitter about is what took him down. He got a small cut on his arm from a fence, and a rare bacterial infection set fire to his blood. Something the first hospital he went to (and sent him home) missed, and could have saved him.

Visiting with the 28 year old BLM burro, BT.

He was 61 years old.

He use to joke and tell me that a "steel" horse was the horse for him. He was a Harley guy.

He got to go home after they told him there was no hope. And I got to read him a goodbye letter that I wrote to him, which was the absolute hardest thing I have ever done. I am greatful that I got to tell him the things I wanted to, and I am not even sure how I got it out. They told him he would probably only live for 24 hours or so after leaving the hospital.

Grandpa loved coming to Idaho. And I loved having him here.

He lived for a week.

Tears in my eyes because he was leaving. But he still made me laugh. Ignore my sad awkward braces and face.

So whenever I am feeling weak, I think of him. I'm tougher than I think.

An upside down Goose can cheer me up.

Anyways, now that I have the tears flowing, let's take a look at this weeks throwback Thursday horse! I chose a fellow from the Ol' Lucy Goose. With her being a ranch mare, there aren't many well known horses up front in her pedigree. She is formally known as Tigers Indian Maid.

Well hello there, stallion cheeks!

There is a very important paint horse in there though. And that would be Mister J Bar. He is her great grandsire on her dam's side. And pretty sexy.

Goose has this same general shape. But more wither, less muscle and more fat...

He was also one of the first 50 inductees into the American Paint Horse Association's Hall of Fame. Born in 1961, this sorrel overo stallion succeeded in halter and calf roping. A lot of stock horses showed in halter, as well as some other category back in the day. It was not uncommon to see even some horses show in halter, race, and then work cows or show in western pleasure. Such versatile creatures.

That is a solid horse right there!

Anyway, Mister was the 165 National Champion Aged Halter stallion, and national champion in senior calf roping. He was also a great producer, and earned a title as National Champion Sire.
His most notable get are J Bar Junior (Lucy's Grand Sire), C-Note, J Bar’s Playboy, J Bar’s Luv, J Bar Flash, J Bar’s Desperado, Bar Eagle and APHA Supreme Champion J Bar’s Lady Bug. He passed away at the age of 21.

I bet he didn't have a weirdo constantly poking him and confusing the crap out of his little horsey mind.