Rusty
A donation was made in memory of Rusty by the doctors and staff at Northwest Equine Veterinary Associates on Feb 13, 2018.
Memorial posting for my beloved equine, Rusty Lamb
1987-2017 (30 years, 11 months)
My sweet Rusty passed on December 3, 2017. Rusty was just a two weeks shy of turning 31 years old. I had the privilege of his company and funny, affectionate antics for 18 years. Rusty could be stubborn but never mean. He was the “bomb proof” horse I could safely put green riders on and trust Rusty to take care of them. The worst he would do was take advantage of green riders grazing with his bridle on…looking over at me knowing I didn’t approve! The stinker! A green rider was on Rusty when a hornet flew up his nose and was stinging him. He stood firm shaking his head vigorously until the hornet left. I was impressed because Rusty let me know it hurt him but he did not rear, shy or buck keeping his rider safe. Another Rusty story is his amazing ability to undo slipknot ties. This was his playful hobby. I would be grooming him and he would look over to see if I was busy, work the knot with his lips and then wait for me to notice the lead was loose. I would then tie a double slipknot and continue grooming him. He would look and when he thought I didn’t notice him, soon, both knots were loose. He never got three done, though. The owners at Patton Farm told me he would unchain the gait and both he and Skeeter would take a walk-about on the farm. We had to wrap the chain on the outside of the gate so he couldn’t reach it. You really can’t mention Rusty without his life-long brother, Skeeter (33 years). Both these Missouri Fox Trotters were bred on the same farm and had never been separated. I referred to them as “the boys.” Rusty was a wonderful, experienced trail horse, along with his lifelong buddy, Skeeter. The brothers were deeply bonded. Rusty was the “little brother” who Skeeter allowed to boss him around in the pasture. Skeeter only allowed Rusty this privilege. When it came to Rusty, Skeeter had loads of patience. Rusty, however, faithfully followed Skeeter, “the Trail Boss,” on trails. I have loved animals all my life, especially horses, cats and dogs. I wanted a horse for so many years. I worked my way through college at UW Art School then set to work on my career, buy a home, etc. I sold one of my paintings to the University of Washington Medical Center Collection of NW Artists. This sale was my chance to finally own my own horse…which by serendipity became two! My friend Brenda Peterson’s father was the head of the US Forest Service working for President Jimmy Carter. He was in town and had lunch with Brenda and I. Mr. Peterson told me of his lifelong love of Missouri Fox Trotters calling them “the best kept secret of the US Forest Service.” He told me of the pleasure of owning and riding these horses, the birth of little Star from his mare. They have wonderful temperaments and sensibility making them wonderful trail horses. I thought, “where would I find one in the Pacific Northwest”? Through friends I was invited to a BBQ at a TB breeding farm. The owner was selling his two Fox Trotters. I had only planned on one horse but these two grew up together and have never been parted. I kept dreaming of them and knew the boys would be my horses. Rusty and Skeeter became my beloved equines and I never looked back despite challenges from Federal Disaster Floods/Storms and the Great Recession. My boys have kept me connected to nature, aware of being in the “now” and touched by their wonderful personalities, playfulness and just being themselves. Riding Rusty was a pleasure! He was a forward mover, pranced and had beautiful gaits. He looked pretty cute in his gear with silver Conchos and his vintage Poco Beuno bridle. He knew it, too! Rusty had Cushings Disease for a long time – 13 years. He was diagnosed in 2005. He lived a long life with the help of excellent veterinary care and Pergolide. This past year, Rusty struggled with more laminitis issues and an infection that was stubborn to heal. His immune system took a beating despite his long years of good health and looking great. I have lost one of my most beloved family members and miss him. Skeeter knew and has adapted well. I am glad he has made some new friends. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Latimer, DVM, Dr. Olivia Schroeder, DVM, Dr. Chris Adfelt, DVM, Dr. Bob Campbell, DVM, for all their skill, compassion and veterinary care. I thank Ardelle for her compassionate help when Rusty died and NW Equine Veterinary Associates Staff for all their help. I thank Rebecca March for sharing her horse care knowledge, Ruth Cox for all kindness and care of the boys, Catherine and Jack Patton of Patton Farm for their care of Rusty and Skeeter, always going the extra mile with medications, food and care. Rusty loved Patton Farm with his buddy Skeeter nearby.
Christine Lamb, Skeeter and trusty dog, Nebu.
My sweet Rusty passed on December 3, 2017. Rusty was just a two weeks shy of turning 31 years old. I had the privilege of his company and funny, affectionate antics for 18 years. Rusty could be stubborn but never mean. He was the “bomb proof” horse I could safely put green riders on and trust Rusty to take care of them. The worst he would do was take advantage of green riders grazing with his bridle on…looking over at me knowing I didn’t approve! The stinker! A green rider was on Rusty when a hornet flew up his nose and was stinging him. He stood firm shaking his head vigorously until the hornet left. I was impressed because Rusty let me know it hurt him but he did not rear, shy or buck keeping his rider safe. Another Rusty story is his amazing ability to undo slipknot ties. This was his playful hobby. I would be grooming him and he would look over to see if I was busy, work the knot with his lips and then wait for me to notice the lead was loose. I would then tie a double slipknot and continue grooming him. He would look and when he thought I didn’t notice him, soon, both knots were loose. He never got three done, though. The owners at Patton Farm told me he would unchain the gait and both he and Skeeter would take a walk-about on the farm. We had to wrap the chain on the outside of the gate so he couldn’t reach it. You really can’t mention Rusty without his life-long brother, Skeeter (33 years). Both these Missouri Fox Trotters were bred on the same farm and had never been separated. I referred to them as “the boys.” Rusty was a wonderful, experienced trail horse, along with his lifelong buddy, Skeeter. The brothers were deeply bonded. Rusty was the “little brother” who Skeeter allowed to boss him around in the pasture. Skeeter only allowed Rusty this privilege. When it came to Rusty, Skeeter had loads of patience. Rusty, however, faithfully followed Skeeter, “the Trail Boss,” on trails. I have loved animals all my life, especially horses, cats and dogs. I wanted a horse for so many years. I worked my way through college at UW Art School then set to work on my career, buy a home, etc. I sold one of my paintings to the University of Washington Medical Center Collection of NW Artists. This sale was my chance to finally own my own horse…which by serendipity became two! My friend Brenda Peterson’s father was the head of the US Forest Service working for President Jimmy Carter. He was in town and had lunch with Brenda and I. Mr. Peterson told me of his lifelong love of Missouri Fox Trotters calling them “the best kept secret of the US Forest Service.” He told me of the pleasure of owning and riding these horses, the birth of little Star from his mare. They have wonderful temperaments and sensibility making them wonderful trail horses. I thought, “where would I find one in the Pacific Northwest”? Through friends I was invited to a BBQ at a TB breeding farm. The owner was selling his two Fox Trotters. I had only planned on one horse but these two grew up together and have never been parted. I kept dreaming of them and knew the boys would be my horses. Rusty and Skeeter became my beloved equines and I never looked back despite challenges from Federal Disaster Floods/Storms and the Great Recession. My boys have kept me connected to nature, aware of being in the “now” and touched by their wonderful personalities, playfulness and just being themselves. Riding Rusty was a pleasure! He was a forward mover, pranced and had beautiful gaits. He looked pretty cute in his gear with silver Conchos and his vintage Poco Beuno bridle. He knew it, too! Rusty had Cushings Disease for a long time – 13 years. He was diagnosed in 2005. He lived a long life with the help of excellent veterinary care and Pergolide. This past year, Rusty struggled with more laminitis issues and an infection that was stubborn to heal. His immune system took a beating despite his long years of good health and looking great. I have lost one of my most beloved family members and miss him. Skeeter knew and has adapted well. I am glad he has made some new friends. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Latimer, DVM, Dr. Olivia Schroeder, DVM, Dr. Chris Adfelt, DVM, Dr. Bob Campbell, DVM, for all their skill, compassion and veterinary care. I thank Ardelle for her compassionate help when Rusty died and NW Equine Veterinary Associates Staff for all their help. I thank Rebecca March for sharing her horse care knowledge, Ruth Cox for all kindness and care of the boys, Catherine and Jack Patton of Patton Farm for their care of Rusty and Skeeter, always going the extra mile with medications, food and care. Rusty loved Patton Farm with his buddy Skeeter nearby.
Christine Lamb, Skeeter and trusty dog, Nebu.
