After all crops were gathered we opened up the fields to the livestock, allowing connection to the pastures. The cows we were milking would show up at the cow pen but other stock, cows and horses, might not come near the house for days at a time. We had not seen Snip for two or three days and went to the farther side of the fields looking for him.
When we found Snip he was on his side, unable to get to his feet. He had tried so long trying to get up that he had made a ditch that circled him. He was very weak but nickered a greeting to us when we got to him. To end his suffering we had to end his life as much as it pained us.
Dad said that Grandma had purchased Snip to be a buggy horse, but she got accustomed to riding in a car and Snip became a plow horse. He walked very fast and as a small kid plowing I had to run to keep up with him. I remember joining with Snip in laying by corn for six days straight. I plowed all day and all night in my dreams. Snip was about 26 years old when he died.
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