HORSE LOVERS: Bob Skelding - The Healing Begins

Lawrence Journel World & 6 News ^ | February 14, 2009 | Charles Edwards

[Yosemitest]

More information is available on an earlier post ...

PRAYERS Requested: Bob Skelding - Wagon Teamster is struck in route

The Macon Beacon, a local newspaper, has established a fund at the Macon Mississippi Branch of Citizens National Bank for Bob and the surviving horses.
The Bob Skelding Wagonteamster Benefit Fund
Citizens National Bank
P.O. Box 426
Macon, MS 39341

Tel. 662-726-5861

Donations can go directly to that bank or any other Citizens National Bank in Mississippi. The website to view branch locations is www.yourcnb.com or call 1-866-333-4CNB (4262) . If donating by check, please make it payable to "The Bob Skelding Wagonteamster Benefit Fund".

Well wishers can e-mail bob@wagonteamster.com and to Daughter Lisa. Comments are welcome to Bob at The Commercial Dispatch, at the bottom of the page.

Okay Freepers, you know what to do.

Thank You.

[Yosemitest]

Here's an update for the earlier post PRAYERS Requested: Bob Skelding - Wagon Teamster is struck in route

[nathanbedford]

The Percheron is a heavy draft horse also known as a cold-blood. Here is the Wikipedia description which shows animals much greater in size than those pictured. These might be Percherons but they seem to have been bred down in size and crossed with warm blooded horses:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percheron

[Rumplemeyer]

How did the tractor trailer manage to hit them when they were in the shoulder.

[dljordan]

I was called up for jury duty in Dickson County, Tennessee once in a case about an #$%$#@ dragging a horse behind his truck. The defense lawyer got one look at my face and I was out of there. I would have hung the dumb a**.

[Yosemitest]

You answer to how this happened is on "PRAYERS Requested: Bob Skelding - Wagon Teamster is struck in route" post.

[vetvetdoug]

I saw the horses; they are Percheron and normal for what I have seen.

[livius]

Thank you for this update. I saw a brief notice about this in my paper down here in Florida and I wanted to learn more about it. Aside from being concerned about Bob, I’m a horse owner and wondered about the horses. Thanks for posting.

[Yosemitest]

From what I can put together, Kemper County Deputy Sheriff (Jeff Jowers) and the 911 operator
have an attitude problem, maybe even a power-complex.
Sounds like the 911 operator needs replacing, and should be reprimanded, at the least.

[livius]

That’s what I thought, too. Very strange.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

ping

[HairOfTheDog]

Thanks - I think I’ll pass this along over there. :)

[HairOfTheDog]

From what I can put together, Kemper County Deputy Sheriff (Jeff Jowers) and the 911 operator have an attitude problem, maybe even a power-complex.

That was my take on it as well.

[Yosemitest]

I'm curious. Where did you get this image?

[HairOfTheDog]

Gosh - it’s been so long now I don’t remember the original source. I think it was posted on a thread here, among threads and stories about the Columbia disaster.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I wish the article would have gone into how they got the horses up on their feet. Thank goodness someone was there in time to stop the sheriff from shooting them.

I spent some time reading his journal from the beginning of his trip to the day before the accident. Well worth the read IMHO. Interesting about the horses, Joyce (who survived) once saved the life of Deedee (who did not). Doc was a horse he purchased for this trip and Dolly (who died) was very fond of Doc and vis-versa, she was also a bit of a clown and (I think) one of Bob's favorites. He also seemed to get quite a kick out of Doc who would pretty much determine when he was ready for a break or to stop for the day. This was a man very in tune with his horses...

Clementine, the poodle is 16/17 years old and he wrote she rode most days cuddled under the covers in the bed. I suspect that may be what saved her life, it appears the bed tossed over upside down into the ditch. The truckdriver who rescued her said she was sitting shivering in the middle of the debris field and the vet said she was basically unharmed.

I just find this incredibly sad and hope he survives.

[Arizona Carolyn]

word

[Arizona Carolyn]

Update on his condition from his blog -- newest first

e 2 - Info on Bob's Condition & Other News

Last Updated by steepdropman 31 minutes ago

Date: 02/15/2009

The following is the text from an email sent by Barb, Bob's mother.

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Things are about the same with Bob. Nothing really new to tell. He is holding his own, I think from what Cathy, his sister tells me and I'm thankful for that. I wish I could give you more in details of his condition, but i really don't know, expect for what they tell me. I am no doctor or nurse, but I do trust they are doing everything they can and Bob will improve daily. BUT IT WILL TAKE TIME. NOW IT IS JUST A WAIT AND SEE PROGRAM. Please continue your prayers, well wishes and messages as we thoroughly appreciate them and it will give Bob pleasure in reading them when he can. i will be late in posting tomorrow as i have to work, Monday and Tuesday, but i will do it when i get home. I am still in Michigan. thanks again, for all you do.

Kindest Regards,

Barb Skelding,

mother

Date: 02/14/2009

The following is the text from an email sent by Barb, Bob's mother.

HI Everyone,

I am sorry to be posting this so late in the afternoon, but its been real busy around here. Bob is doing well. When he first saw Lisa, his daughter this morning, he squeezed her hand. things are getting i think, a little better, but again only time will tell. But i'm sure its a sign of God's Will that things might change, however we need to take one day at a time. Cathy said he wanted to speak to Lisa and since he has a breathing tube in his throat, she told him to be shut-up and that probably is the only time she will get to say that, because when it does come out, knowing Bob, he will be rambling on and on. LOL.

Other than that, please continue to pray for him and know he is in God's hands and the nurses and doctors are doing all that is possible at the moment. thanks again for your kindness and well wishes and prayers.

Barb Skelding

mom

Date: 02/13/2009 @10:00 AM

The following is the text from an email sent by Barb, Bob's mother.

Good Morning Everyone,

I have just spoken to my daughter, Cathy, Bob's older sister and she tells me the same as yesterday that Bob's condition is stable but still serious. Again the doctors and nurses are doing everything they possibly can to keep him well and comfortable. you know the old saying, 'NO NEWS CAN BE GOOD NEWS'. Cathy can only see him just certain times aday and she said to me this morning, that we all have to be grateful that he is alive. i do believe our prayers are being answered. PLEASE JUST HANG IN THERE FOR HIM AND FAMILY. We appreciate all of your support and prayers. She also told me that she has pictures of Doc and Joyce being taken care of by Dr. Billy Calvert who is doing a marvelous job. She says, Doc has a long lasceration to the left hind quarter and Joyce has a small laceration to the left hind quarter. Both the Gelding and Mare are doing fine. Clementine is still being cared for and is doing well also. She wanted me to express what a great and kind and generous man Dr. Billy Calvert is, and how he is taking excellent care of the horses. Also she wanted me to tell everyone how generous, kind and loving the people of Mississippi are. I also would like to thank everyone who has said so many many prayers for our family and most of all Bob. He would not be here, i know if if werent for you people in usa and around the world. People who Bob doesn't even know personally but have touched their lives in some way or another. No amount of words can express our graditude and thanks for being there for Bob. I will write again as soon as i hear anything about Bob's condition or whatever. thanks again.

Barbara Skelding,

[Yosemitest]

Thanks for the update. It’s these blurry, watery eyes that ... well.

[livius]

Yes, I hope he survives, too...and can go on and complete his trip.

My horse is named Doc, btw.