A Black Horse is requesting I remember him next.

The First/Worst barn was a pretty "dramatic" place, because I have so many memories that keep coming back, quietly asking for their turn. There were many firsts, at F/W. Beautiful Arab Gelding, Hai Mirath's painful colic death, his kick to my knee his kindest blow, for my stupidity walking behind him. He didn't kill me. Poor horse, died a painful death, we weren't allowed to ask why. Why no vet? I still wonder, although I know the answer. $$

I remember a barn fire at another stable, terrible thing, and several horses got loose, running through downtown (tiny at the time) Markham. Our barn was recruited to go round them up. It was a lot of fun for us kids, yahooing through back yards and catching these poor terrified critters. The one horse that F/W kept was a black Quarter Horse gelding, he was called Black Snake. Old style, to the max, set low to the ground, massive back-end, really a beautiful type. All the right angles and the good feet were there. Star & a snip, and a dishy head. Little white on his feet. Smallish, tidy, tight ears. Always STRAIGHT forward, as he'd blow at you.
WhooooRuuu.

He could also flick out your eyelash with his front hoof. "Snake" could snort and blow lower, louder and longer than any other horse I've ever known, before or since. To catch him in his stall, you needed to know what you were doing. He was the toughest horse to catch during the round-up, which is probably why F/W ended up with him. Riding him was like riding a fast, powerful tank. A barely broke, yet wow was he talented tank. He was supposed to learn to play polo & jump. It wasn't going well.

Tough as bloody nails, Black Snake. Move slow, or he'd kill you. Smart and powerful. Ready for a fight, but ready to listen. That's how I remember Quarter Horses. Now, this must have been not long before I left F/W. Black Snake, being ridden by F/W, was having "issues", and F/W, very drunk (aka the "issue"), had gotten off and roughly grabbed Snake's bridle. Black Snake went straight up, and caught F/W's wedding ring in the hook of the curb chain he was abusing him with. Black Snake broke his finger very neatly. I remember ThaT.
Thank you, Black Snake. Light on your feet, yet low to the ground.
Goodboy! I am sorry to say that's all I remember. I did leave not long after that..

Hey, SWA!! (waves..) Thanks for being there, hon. I am honoured to know you, through this miracle of communication I've finally discovered. Takes me awhile, but I get there.

(Have I typed about Black Snake before?)
I get deja vu, a LOT:)

To the old-tyme Quarter Horse. Bred for anything.
Treat him well, or he'll remove your eyeball.