“One sunny day about 5 or 6 years ago, I was out in the back yard. There were quite a few horses milling around. Something startled three new Thoroughbreds we had just brought in. I was caught between a fence and a building and they charged right at me. I knew I would at least have broken bones. Suddenly Duke charged in, moved his body sideways and took the blow. It knocked him down. He saved my life.”

“I got a lot to say about you, my dude, I could make it an essay.
I’m relieved that you’re gone but still hurt and sad none the less. It was your time and you let us know. The rescue really won’t be the same without you but you’ll truly never be forgotten and that is a fact. You wormed your way into our hearts in the best way possible.
There are so many memories to be had with you. When I first started there you were a cranky old man with a bad eye and bad temper none of which was you’re fault and you always told us when you were NOT in the mood for pets. There were days where that’s all you wanted. Just love and affection like everyone else and we gladly obliged.
Your itchy face and pushy attitude for pets is what made you, well, you. Your pulling of the gate at feeding time letting us know that we’re were not fast enough no matter how fast we were going made you, you. Your ability to forgive us human for the pain we caused you is what made you, you. Your never ending love for the ladies is what made you, you. You were always a character in one way or another.
My fondest memory of you was when I went to lunge you one day in the round pen and you let me know YOU. WERE. NOT. HAVING. IT. That day by charging at me and making me hop that gate. I was inexperienced at the time and now I laugh about it because I was too naive to listen to your signs. You let me know you didn’t want it but I was a cocky new horse girl that had to show off and you put me in my place real quick.
I could go on and on about your with my 6 or 7 years there with you but there’s an empty feeling now at the rescue now. Your name off the feed board, your bucket retired and your paddock missing one very special horse. You’re with Tillie and Scootie now, your best friends and best paddock mates. You have two eyes and brand new spirit with you. Your joints no longer ache and you’re free to run where ever your spry young heart desires. You’ll be able to eat with a healthy full set of teeth again.
We love you Duke and we always will. Please rest well and tell everyone we said “Hi” in that big green pasture up there. Tell them we miss them as much as we’re gonna miss you. No horse could ever be like you Duke.
Goodbye ❤”