24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 17,215
Campfire Ranger
OP Online Content
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 17,215
So this is what is going on: Baxter has some health problems that have put him in the retirement bracket. He has loved speaking, writing and doing his TV & radio work all these years but sadly he is at a point that he has to stop.

Baxter Black's final column: A horse matters


By Baxter Black

I like living someplace where a horse matters.

There is just some country where horseback is the only way to get the job done. Places where the four-wheeler is a poor second, not to mention a noisy, track-leaving unnatural conveyance. Besides, it’s hard to throw a rope from.

Helicopters can spot and scare, if that’s what you need, but it’s helpless when you have to doctor a calf. It is a great feeling to be pushing a cow out of a mesquite thicket, packing a dude down the Grand Canyon or tracking a mountain lion on a high ridge, knowing you’re on the perfect tool for the job. You look at a horse different when he’s on the payroll.

I like being a person to whom a horse matters.

It puts me in such good company, Robert E. Lee, Teddy Roosevelt, Rudyard Kipling, Ray Hunt, Queen Elizabeth, Jerry Diaz, Casey Tibbs, cowboys, Mongols, Gauchos, teamsters, Lipazzaners and vaqueros of all kinds. Granted being a horse person doesn’t make me easier to get along with, better at spelling or richer. It simply gives me a direct connection to one of the most ancient, mutually beneficial interspecies relationships on the planet.

Winston Churchill said, “There is something about the outside of a horse, that is good for the inside of a man.”

I like being there when a horse matters.

When you can’t do the job alone; a cow in the bog, a race against time, a boulder to move, a detour to take, a mountain to cross, a crevice to leap, a war to win, a sweetheart to impress, or...when you’ve gone too far to walk back.

Shakespeare’s King Richard III said when fate hung in the balance, “A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!”

I’ve also come to believe that you either are a horse person or you aren’t. Many who are, never know it because they never have the chance. It’s a primitive acceptance, often mutual. A lack of fear. You see it in some children when they are first introduced to the horse. It always gives me a sense of wonder to be there and help them make their acquaintance. I believe the horse can sense the child’s innate trust. It is the beginning of a natural bond.

I count myself very lucky that I get to be a part of the wonderful world of horse sweat, soft noses, close calls and twilight on the trail.

I like living a life where a horse matters.

Baxter Black is a cowboy poet, former large-animal veterinarian and entertainer of the agricultural masses. Learn more at www.baxterblack.com.



This will be Baxter Black’s last column. Because of health issues, he is heading off into the sunset on his favorite horse.


Originally Posted by jorgeI
...Actually Sycamore, you are sort of right....
BP-B2

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,277
W
Campfire Kahuna
Online Content
Campfire Kahuna
W
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,277
Good ol' Baxter Black!!


These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o
"May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,844
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,844
I seen on fb that he was in hospice....

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,885
4
Campfire Tracker
Online Content
Campfire Tracker
4
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,885
Originally Posted by huntsman22
I seen on fb that he was in hospice....


Yes

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 44,416
Campfire 'Bwana
Online Content
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 44,416
Thanks sycamore for that;

Originally Posted by huntsman22
I seen on fb that he was in hospice....



Well, that truly sucks.


The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men.
In it is contentment
In it is death and all you seek
(Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)

member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?
IC B2

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12,071
Campfire Outfitter
Online Content
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12,071
Geno;
Evening to you sir, sorry to meet under these circumstances.

When we first got into horses nearly 30 years ago I see it was, I used to listen to a radio program called "Spirit of the West" which was a rancher up out of Kamloops - Hugh McLennan putting up his favorite cowboy music and poets.

That's where I first heard of Baxter Black.

Anyways I'll tip a wee dram to him and send up some prayers as well.

All the best to you all Geno.

Dwayne


The most important stuff in life isn't "stuff"

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85,964
Campfire Oracle
Online Happy
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85,964
Saw this recently.



If you take the time it takes, it takes less time.
--Pat Parelli

American by birth; Alaskan by choice.
--ironbender
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,889
L
Campfire Regular
Online Content
Campfire Regular
L
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,889
A very nice man and a true gentleman.


" It ain't dead.As long as there's one cowboy taking care of one cow,it ain't dead ! "
Monte Walsh
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,605
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,605
Damn shame.
Enjoyed reading that, but I can't read it like he would tell it.


Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 19,495
G
g5m Offline
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
G
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 19,495
Sorry to hear this.


Retired cat herder.


IC B3

Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,065
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,065
Always loved reading his stuff. Didn't know he was in hospice, but the world will be a bit dimmer once he's gone.


Mercy ceases to be a virtue when it enables further injustice. -Brent Weeks

~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 11,891
P
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
P
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 11,891
Always read the back page in the western Horseman mag when at the library.

He is one of a kind.

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 44,416
Campfire 'Bwana
Online Content
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 44,416
Originally Posted by BC30cal
Geno;
Evening to you sir, sorry to meet under these circumstances.

When we first got into horses nearly 30 years ago I see it was, I used to listen to a radio program called "Spirit of the West" which was a rancher up out of Kamloops - Hugh McLennan putting up his favorite cowboy music and poets.

That's where I first heard of Baxter Black.

Anyways I'll tip a wee dram to him and send up some prayers as well.

All the best to you all Geno.

Dwayne



tip a dram, as you say, for me too Dwayne as I no longer imbibe.
Can't recall where I first heard of Mr Black, but it was a long time ago.

As a suburban kid I was never fortunate to have the pleasure of being around horses much. A bit at a cousin's place up in the foothills of SoCal. Kind of bummed that we have property now that could handle a couple, and square miles of public land behind us to ride on, but we're not situated to take on the responsibility.

Please send us some moisture.


The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men.
In it is contentment
In it is death and all you seek
(Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)

member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 44,416
Campfire 'Bwana
Online Content
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 44,416
Originally Posted by ironbender
Saw this recently.





"Minutia"

Pretty fancy word for a cowboy poet to use. wink


The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men.
In it is contentment
In it is death and all you seek
(Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)

member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 580
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 580
Hear hear to a great American cowboy and true gent. He ranks there with Paul Harvey.

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,417
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,417
Stayed in the saddle until the end. Can't quibble with that. See ya soon, pard.


Up hills slow,
Down hills fast
Tonnage first and
Safety last.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,484
Campfire Kahuna
Offline
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,484
I'll miss him.

Godspeed Baxter!


Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 647
A
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
A
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 647
As a licensed veterinarian Baxter was exposed to and quite comfortable several big fancy words.
Great guy that as Dwayne so aptly put it “I’ve tipped a dram “with a number of times.


Fourth Generation Border Rat
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,644
2
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
2
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,644
Dang, I hope he's comfortable in his last days. What a neat guy, he'll be missed.

Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59,540
J
Campfire Kahuna
Offline
Campfire Kahuna
J
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59,540
Never did care for him.

Too bad he is sick though.


I am MAGA.
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
708 members (007FJ, 222Sako, 10gaugemag, 10Glocks, 06hunter59, 222ND, 75 invisible), 2,794 guests, and 1,310 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,630
Posts18,398,794
Members73,817
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.095s Queries: 15 (0.005s) Memory: 0.8987 MB (Peak: 1.0504 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-28 16:18:25 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS