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Softie, the star of a small town’s Independence Day parade
American Thinker ^ | 4 Jul, 2025 | Jim Davis

Posted on 07/04/2025 6:12:15 AM PDT by MtnClimber

You’ve all heard of Secretariat. You may have seen the film War Horse. Let me introduce you to the greatest horse of whom you’ve never heard.

We called her “Softie.” Even as a foal, she seemed acutely aware that we humans are vulnerable creatures and she could hurt us, so she was always extremely gentle.

Our church friends ran a riding stable, where couples and families could rent horses for the day and take them out on the trails. I was doing well with my paper route, so they hired me to help take care of their horses for the summer.

It was like a babysitting job and involved a lot of shoveling, but there were a lot of moments that were really magical.

Softie was no Secretariat, but to the 12-year-old kid clinging to her back for dear life, she seemed as fast as the starship Enterprise. And of course, she was a perfect companion for the kids.

As horses go, she was a comedian and all-around entertainer, prancing and trotting around. She played like the world’s most enormous puppy: sneaking up behind me, grabbing my hat off my head and running about 40 feet. Then she’d stop and turn her head back, shaking my hat back and forth as if to say, “I got it right here, Human. See? You’re supposed to chase me. Come on, it’ll be fun.” Well, it might have been fun for her. She could run three times as fast as me.

Our little town had a Fourth of July parade every year. All through high school, I was riding Softie in the parade. She was so harmonized with human behavior that she wouldn’t dare make a mess in the street. To that extent, she was “housebroken.” She was almost dancing.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: horses

1 posted on 07/04/2025 6:12:15 AM PDT by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

Happy Independence Day everyone.


2 posted on 07/04/2025 6:12:27 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

And to you too

Thanks for the story


3 posted on 07/04/2025 6:16:07 AM PDT by Nifster ( I see puppy dogs in the clouds )
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To: MtnClimber

Anybody hear how many “billions of tens of thousands” Handmaiden Tails are expected to goosestep their tails across the nation today to celebrate their ignorance, hatred of America and their retarded obnoxiousness? The tantrums could be in the trillions.


4 posted on 07/04/2025 6:21:04 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Correction! America is a nation of LEGAL IMMIGRANTS! All of mine came here legally. No free stuff.)
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To: MtnClimber

Lovely story. I would go see the movie (if it were ever made) if done with the right kind of Director.

The little I know about horses, I know just like with puppies and kittens, the young horses love to play. Some remain mischievous jokers for life. Horses can be very nosy or inquisitive. All domesticated horses like a certain amount of attention from people. They can be jealous/ angry if a horse in a nearby stall gets more face time with the owner than they do.


5 posted on 07/04/2025 7:22:17 AM PDT by lee martell
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To: MtnClimber

Well said.


6 posted on 07/04/2025 7:22:32 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: MtnClimber

That’s a really great story — thanks for posting it. Jim Davis is fortunate indeed to have had Softie in his life.


7 posted on 07/04/2025 7:54:19 AM PDT by Chewbarkah
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