http://houndwelfare.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/goodbye-snaffles/
I’d love to hear your own memories of your late hunt horses, too. There’s great comfort in stories.
Awwww, what a WONDERFUL tribute on your blog. I’m crying my eyes out. I’m so sorry for your loss, but how very lucky both of you were to have each other. He was so very loved.
Godspeed, Snaffles. 
Thanks, War Admiral. He was such a great character, and especially now that the sale is over and I’m not as occupied, I find it hard not to be a bit weepy!
We were so amazed by how he died, as if he had just taken the decision, and I thought to myself, “Knowing Snaffles, he probably just felt that this was not a decision one left to the help (me)!”
Great old horse, much missed.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your Grand Gentleman…you both were lucky to have each other.
Thoughts and prayers and hugs for all who loved the handsome gentleman ~ RIP Snaffles ~
A lovely tribute to your grand friend ~
Thank you, Shalomypony and ZuZu. We were awfully lucky to have him!
What a wonderful relationship the two of you had… so sorry for your loss; he was obviously much loved.
What a wonderful story about a wonderful horse. I’m still sniffing and wiping the tears away…I’ve known his kind, myself! How nice that he allowed you to serve his whims over the last years. You will treasure the memories, I’m sure. RIP Snaffles.
Snaffles was a character and gallant friend. I’m so sorry for your loss but learned so much about him reading your heartfelt story.
Who knows, maybe in 20 years one of those fancy yearlings going through the sale your watching will have become someone elses special friend. We can always hope…
Thanks, everyone
… and SLW makes a good point: let’s hope those yearlings all find happy and productive lives of one kind or another after racing! My “young” hunter–now 16–was once on the racetrack, even though he was a homebred and never saw the inside of an auction ring. He’s great!
Cheers to the oldsters in our lives and to the young future hunters (of whatever breed) coming along!
… and he to have you ~
…and He to have You ~~~~ 
Condolences on your loss and what a grand ole gentleman.
My condolences, he looks like my kind of horse!
When you ‘ride to hunt’ as I do, it’s great to have a horse that loves to hunt and knows his job. Sometimes the quirks make it more fun, sometimes just more painful!
I’ve been fortunate to have a few good 'uns. Nick, a little qh I hunted for 20 seasons, would be up there by virtue of longevity. Not an easy ride- no brakes of course though I usually had steering. If you didn’t keep your balance and a foot in each stirrup you’d be on the ground, as he did not feel that human companionship was necessary for hunting, necessarily. Not an easy horse to catch, either- unless you had your hunting clothes on. But if you could stay with him, by golly he’d get you to the end of the day and beyond. And would get really, really angry at hounds that rioted- charging at them with ears pinned waiting for me to reach for the pistol, I think if I had let him he might have just grabbed them by the scruff of the neck and given them what for.
I have an old picture of me jogging along the road, and when I look at it I remember that at that moment, he was looking one way (at the fox) while I was looking the other (at the approaching pack, to count and see who was on top).
I am so very sorry for your loss. He was truly a grand old man, and your love for him was evident in your tribute.
My condolences.
HUGS
What a lovely tribute to a grand old man - thank you for sharing and condolences to all who knew him - he sounds like quite the character – the good ones always are
Wow, that was such a beautiful tribute. How lucky you both were to have been in each others lives.
I’m sorry for your loss. It was obvious how special he was.
Lovely tribute-dang you’ve got me crying and I am at work.
Thank you for sharing your story. I feel truly richer for having “known” Snaffles just a little bit. (wipes eye)
thank you
You are a superb writer and thanks for sharing this eloquent tribute. Seems like it’s the least we can do for our hunting buddies.
