Our King Brock
This page is dedicated to Circle F's oldest and dearest equine friend. Brock was a 34-year-old Saddlebred gelding who has been with Circle F since April 29, 2001. He enjoyed many wonderful years as our Circle F Mascot, welcoming all the new horses and volunteers and showing them the ropes. Three days shy of his 35th birthday, on January 13, 2011, Brock passed over the Rainbow Bridge, but his love and sweet memory lives on in all our hearts.
After a warm meal and surrounded by love, Brock was laid to rest this morning. In the early hours of today January 13,2011, he slipped on the snow and was cast in the rain and slush. When the volunteer arrived, she found him in great distress and soaking wet. Brent from Ag West came out, as did several of us, and Brock ...was helped back onto his feet where he was toweled off, blanked and fed one last nice hot meal. With his usual calm dignity he let us each say our goodbyes and went very peacefully. Please take a moment to remember him and wish him happiness across the rainbow bridge. The Last Battle If it should be that I grow frail and weak and pain should keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done, for this -- the last battle -- can't be won. You will be sad I understand, but don't let grief then stay your hand, For on this day, more than the rest, your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years, you wouldn't want me to suffer so. When the time comes, please, let me go. Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me till the end. And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will agree It is a kindness you do to me. Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it must be you Who has to decide this thing to do; We've been so close -- we two -- these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears. Kala's Shamrock Beau - 'Brock' January 16, 1976 - January 13, 2011
About Brock Brock is gentle and kind and wins the hearts of everyone that he meets. Over the many years that Brock has been with Circle F he has greeted many a new volunteer and horse and made them feel welcome. His wisdom and incredible patience make him the perfect ambassador and equine representative for Circle F.
Stats Registered Name: Kala's Shamrock Beau Brock Call Name: Brock Breed: American Saddlebred Gelding Birthdate: 1976 Color: Liver Chestnut Height: 16.0 HH Arrived: April 29, 2001
The American Saddlebred Horse "A Breed of light horse that originated in the U.S. The breed was developed by crossing Thoroughbreds, Morgans, and Standardbreds on native mares having an easy gait. It stands 15-16 hh, and its colours are bay, brown, black, gray, and chestnut. Two show categories are for three-gaited and five-gaited horses. The three natural gaits are walk, trot, and canter; the five-gaited horse also has two trained gaits, the rack and the slow gait, or running walk. The American Saddlebred is also well known as a fine harness horse for show." "The American Saddlebred with its conformation, personality, and stamina is suited to accomplish any task requested, but is most well-known as the "peacock of the horse show world". The horses used for the show ring are flashy, high-stepping animals, with exaggerated action. The Saddlebred is very sensitive and alert. The ideal American Saddlebred is well-proportioned and presents a beautiful overall picture. Large, wide-set expressive eyes and gracefully shaped ears set close together are positioned on a well-shaped head. The neck is long with a fine, clean throatlatch and is arched and well-flexed at the poll. The American Saddlebred sports well-defined and prominent withers, while the shoulders are deep and sloping. Well-sprung ribs and a strong level back also characterize the breed. The legs are straight with broad flat bones, sharply defined tendons and sloping pasterns."
Home on the Range
Brock is an International Star! Brock is a part of a special exhibit at the American Saddlebred Museum in Lexington, Kentucky.
Friends of Brock
Our Stories Memories of Kala's Shamrock Beau, 'Brock' Brock was brought to our farm for board by his owner in October 1990. We had many horses here over the years before a roadway allowance was needed by the government, which necessitated the removal of pasture and fencing. During the years of 1990 to around 1996, Brock lived here in Ladner. His owner was unable to provide for Brock so we acquired Brock's papers and undertook his care with the aid of knowledgeable people who boarded their horses with us. Early in my childhood I was surrounded by horses, work horses, but I loved them and they always held wonder for me. Our family left Saskatchewan when I was six, but every summer that we visited my Grandparents the first thing we did when we arrived, was run to see the horses. When I would looked out the windows of our farm house here, and saw the horses roaming around grazing, it always gave me a feeling of peace and happiness. No matter as the horses came and went, Brock always maintained the position of "Lead horse." He did this with ease and somehow there was never much of a dispute. He would defer to the ladies, as a gentleman, but he was always mindful of every little thing and was clearly in charge. With that in mind it is rather funny that he came by the name "Brock", because he was afraid of chickens. 'Brooock' being the sound that chickens make when they are squawking. I was told of this and it obviously was funny, because of the persona of dignity that Brock had about him. A more reasonable and certainly more satisfying version of how Brock came by his nickname would be an obvious course, 'B' for Beau, and adding the 'B' to 'rock,' in Shamrock. Perhaps Brock was nervous with chickens and the story was concocted as a joke after the fact. It's likely this is the truth of the matter. Just as seems to be the case now, everyone loved Brock, even a kitten named Simon and a little girl by the name of Anatta. ˜ Marilyn Brock and Anatta Anatta was a beautiful little girl who arrived at our home one afternoon with her father and younger brother. They had come to see Brock. We talked for a time and I told them what I knew of Brock. Anatta's father told me at a later visit that Anatta was enthralled with Brock, had drawn pictures and written of him. She wanted a horse of her own. There was a bit of reluctance due to Brock's propensity to break into full throttle once mounted. Being as Anatta was only 12 years old, no one was sure that it was wise to expect that Anatta could handle Brock. I was convinced in myself though that with gentle care and lots of love Brock could become trustworthy and this is what I told them. And that is exactly what Anatta gave him. Brock's previous owner had ridden him in an undisciplined way and had not spent time in training, rather had effectively undone some of the expert training that Brock did have originally. I was told Brock's complete history but I'm not able to recall it accurately. It is accurate to say however, that Brock suffered mistreatment in his past. So it is all the more wonderful to know that these past years have been dedicated to the contentment and well-being that Brock deserves. After many visits Anatta's father allowed her to take Brock home with them. We missed him and visited several times. Anatta did very well with Brock and I know he was happy with her. She loved Brock with her whole lovely heart. As Anatta grew older we were in touch with her and at times she would visit and tell us of changes in her life. The time came in Anatta's life that she could no longer care for Brock realistically. So through much agonizing she did something that must have been extremely difficult but very mature and loving. She brought Brock to Circle F Rescue Society, where he resides now. Where obviously he is being enjoyed by many children and adults. Anatta is now a beautiful 24 year old young woman, still with a lovely heart. Anatta has effectively said that Brock provided a catharsis for her during a time growing up. ˜ Marilyn Brock and Simon Once upon a time there was a kitten named Simon; Actually Simon is still very much in the present. He is now 17 years old and at a similar space in time that Brock is now, in that they both have retired. Simon retired from the necessity of vigilant patrol, dutifully catching mice, rabbits and even the occasional duck bigger than himself, if you can believe that. He has put aside the need to hiss and slap people's feet at the drop of a hat. He allows even strangers to pat his head without protest most of the time. Simon is a feral cat and was born in our barn among bales of hay. A litter of kittens were discovered by some kids and the mother became alarmed and felt a need to move them. They were all moved with the exception of Simon. He was around 3 weeks old when I was told of his presence in the barn. I went to investigate and found that this little thing responded to my voice and he came out from the hay with a very wobbly gait. I left him there to see whether or not his mother would return for him. While checking a second time I had to enter the paddock that now contained the horses. Among these horses was a mare named Lady. She was known for her biting. As I went in to see if the kitten was still there, my son hung on the fence rail nervously watching. I found the kitten and was holding him in the palm of my hand when suddenly a very large head appeared over my shoulder from behind. It was Lady and she began sniffing the kitten. Her nostrils flared as she sniffed and I thought Simon would disappear into one of them. I put the kitten back and again left him just to be sure he wasn't going to be rescued. After that a funny thing happened. The owner of Lady had come to put her in for the night but Lady would not let anyone near the area that housed the kitten. It took a great deal of effort to remove her from standing guard over her new responsibility. I again went to the barn and brought the kitten back to the house in my pocket and fed him with a doll's bottle. Even as early as 3 weeks, one could tell what kind of a disposition this little guy had. He would get so angry if the bottle didn't dispense the milk just right and he would lay his little ears back and really swat that thing. There was a fenced section of pasture directly in front of our porch and as Simon grew old enough he was allowed outside to play. Brock was in this area one afternoon and while sitting on the steps I saw to my great alarm, that Simon was stalking Brock's feet. Simon was crouching as cats do and sneaking along in the grass clearly intent on attacking Brock's feet. Before I could do anything to retrieve Simon he had sprung and made a grab at a foot that could have completely concealed Simon from view in an instant. Brock merely turned his head toward his hoof and never moved a muscle. This was quite amazing to me and I realized that while Brock might be afraid of chickens he was very calm and casual about kittens attacking his feet. Simon continued to be a nuisance and Brock seemed to be completely aware of where Simon was at all times. Since obviously the first smells that greeted Simon's nose when he was born were hay and horses, one would expect Simon to be comfortable with the horses. With Brock though, Simon had a real affinity. My husband would go to the barn many times and find Simon contentedly sleeping on the rail of Brock's stall. They really are kindred spirits. ˜ Marilyn Brock and Bobby Bobby was a Shetland Pony who also boarded with us in Ladner. His owner entered Bobby in parades and took children for rides in a buggy to celebrate birthday parties, etc. Bobby was very smart and a sweet little guy who viewed Brock as his best friend. The friendship was mutual and they would chew each others back endlessly. This looked very funny because Brock could lean down to Bobby's level so easily, but for Bobby much more work was involved. This process was even more difficult for Bobby as he was missing several teeth. ˜ Marilyn
Photo Gallery