Horribly sad news ... Catch a Bird has passed on ...

[TrueColours]

I got an email message this morning from Naomi - Catch A Bird's owner - who said that she is too upset to go on any bulletin boards to advise the bad news and asked if I could do so for her

Catch A Bird broke a leg last night was humanely euthanized. Naomi advised that she was with him 'til the end and is obviously completely distraught by what happened.

I told her that by her giving him such a wonderful home the last few years of his life probably made him the happiest and luckiest horse in the world and she needed to remember that

Rest in peace "Baron" and huge {{{HUGS}}} to Naomi ...

[Arctic Cielo]

So sorry to hear that Best wishes to Naomi, she did that boy a favor.

[Bondama]

That is very sad news indeed. What a loss! My sympathies to Naomi.

[TrueColours]

Here is a little section I had on my website for him, with pictures that Naomi had been sending to me:

http://www.angelfire.com/on3/TrueColoursFarm/CatchaBird.html

Take a look at the last picture in particular, which was sent last year when he was 24 years of age at a show Naomi had taken him to. Look at the beautiful coat and weight on him. He gleamed like a beautifully burnished piece of mahogany ...

[erins isle]

Dear, Naomi, I feel so sorry for you, xxxx Erin

[nferro9925]

My condolences to you Naomi.
You were the best thing that came into his life.

RIP Catch A Bird

Thanks for letting us know, TrueColours.

[Jorge]

Sigh!

Thanks for the memories and genetic possibilities. Hope that his legacy may be preserved through his daughters and perhaps through his sons.
Thanks for informing. At least knowing the truth consoles somehow.
All the Best,

[summerhorse]

What a shame, my sympthaties to Naomi but what a difference she made to that horse. What if that "person" had not sold him to her, he'd have starved to death long ago. It is such a shame that no horse geneticist took the opportunity to investigate his unique color while he was alive. What a loss.

But it was obvious from his photos that he was one happy old horse!

[Rushtawin]

Naomi -

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. You did an amazing job with him (and I love the last picture that Donna of True Colours Farm has of him at the show). Keep us posted on how you're doing.

[wymanda]

I've got to arrange to DNA my Catch A Bird mare. She is bay but, like most of the coloured produce, she has a chestnut dam who always throws to the stallion.
If she does carry the gene then I may put her on the market.

[Barbaro06]

RIP Catch A Bird!

[wymanda]

To Catch A Bird

Born away in the south, across the water homeward bound.
Your colour brought attention but your sweet nature made you friends.

On to Karaka before you were two and the man from the west was determined to make you part of his team. Your colour a bonus – it would bring in the press. Your personality not needed he just wanted the cheques.

After giving your all and winning six times his fortunes turned sour – some jail time he’d spend.
So it was off to the auctions again. This time with a name and a career going strong. The interest was keen and the bidding was fierce, knocked down to the small time trainer and his owner who’d pay.

The stables so simple, the gear not too flash but at least he had time to learn who you were and to give you a chance to give your all and too please.

Then racing ended and mares came along but grazing was scarce and it was no life for you there. Away down south to a place just like heaven. No end to the grass and ladies aplenty. Your children were just what was wanted – a few even came coloured.

It all ended abruptly, the foals didn’t sell. Onto a float and back to the east. A breeding program was mentioned but not much about food. You did your best to do what was asked and produce foals with the colour that brought you to fame.

Rescue came slowly but Naomi came through. Just to love and provide for you was what she wanted to do. Plenty of food and outings to shows. It must have been fun to be ridden again? Your last years were bliss and you wanted for nothing. A new legion of fans discovered “The Bird” now known as Baron you didn’t need the fame. Happy and safe now your journey complete.

Now it’s all over – you’ve gone through the gate; to the Lords paddock to run wild and free.
Plenty of girls and plenty of feed. You left us a legacy of daughters and sons. Some with the colour and plenty that run. We’ll remember you always and we’ll miss you Baron, you put colour into our lives.

[brumbyjil]

Thankyou all of you for your support I really miss the old fella.

Keep expecting him to come and push me around for a carrot.

this is a pic that was taken a week before he left us being the cheeky brat that he was with my son playing games with him from the hay shed.
this year he was finally starting to look like an old brood mare with the grass belly.



i hope i have loaded this pic right.

I dont think we will ever see another like him as I truely believe he was unique.

Naomi

[Jorge]

Thanks for posting this picture and all the memories Catch A Bird brought.
Hope his female descendants may keep his genetic pool active. Any possibility? Keep hoping!

[wymanda]

Hope his female descendants may keep his genetic pool active. Any possibility? Keep hoping!

I'm just about to get my one remaining daughter DNA'd. Keeping fingers crossed.