I have an American Quarter Horse gelding that is seven years old and named Phoenix. I board him at a private barn about 20 minutes from my house. This is a home that has their own horses and a few boarders. They have a full time "barn manager" named Kristie (SUPER sweet, huge animal lover.)
There is the black and white paint horse named Cosmo that has this huge growth on the side of his neck. We are talking about the size of 2 softballs.
The owner of the Cosmo finally had a biopsy done and it is cancer. They are doing a second biopsy...not sure what they are looking for. I don't know that there is anything they can do for him at this point. The tumor is just so very large. It is very sad.
Well, my Phoenix and Cosmo are in the same pasture together. My guy is a laid back, confident and smart horse. Cosmo is a little cooky and skittish, not quite as confident or bright.
Kristie told me that a few days after they did the biopsy on Cosmo, he was clearly not feeling very well. He was laying down in the pasture a lot, which is not usual for him.
This is the sweet part...my Phoenix was watching over him him. Literally standing over him and near him during those few days. When Cosmo when to get water or food, Phoenix would go with him and just stay near him. There are two other horses in the pasture with them. Their behavior was the same as always.
Kristie told me this story today through tears. She said it was very obvious that Phoenix was keeping watch over and comforting Cosmo.
Just had to share. I think horses are one of God's most amazing creations. They are gentle giants that sense and understand a lot more than we could ever imagine.
Here are a few pictures of my good boy Phoenix: