Tribute to Thunderwith

He is on the farm banner. His name appears in dozens of the club Mustangs’ pedigrees. Who was he?

Thunderwith was an absolutely beautiful Mustang stallion, the foundation of our herd. He was also one of Dapples and Apples’ first horses, as I joined with him when the club opened. Prior to that, he had lived six wild years on a private reserve, Thunder Ridge, known for its pure lineage. I quit after two months, but a month later I rejoined. He (along with Spanish Sky and their colt, Roll of Thunder) had been in the “Unowned Barn” during that time, and when I returned, he and the others had just been put up for public auction. After extremely heavy bidding for the Mustang (whose dark buckskin coat displayed not a speck of white), I was victorious -- $25,000. He was the most expensive horse we ever bought, but he was worth every penny. I named him after a book I had read recently, about a girl in Australia who found and befriended a dingo-dog during a storm. "With thunder he came and with thunder he went," she quoted from words that came unbidden to her mind. "I'll call you With Thunder. Thunderwith."

Mustangs were actually rather rare during his early days, and his few stud offers were mostly used on Quarter Horse mares. However, he sired several winners for us – among his early progeny were Deep Sunset, Prairie Hawk, and Morning Music out of our first mares, Tiara, Silver Hawk, and Spanish Sky (another of our early broodmares was Encantado). None could beat him in Western races of any kind, he cut cattle easily, and he was a champion roping horse. In order to compete in an All-Around Show (1 event per day and only 2 horses per owner), he was also trained English, and although he did moderately well he never enjoyed the English style very much. Considering his “ranch horse” prowess, however, this was hardly a problem. Thunderwith soon became the farm’s 3rd IAB.

One Halloween, when someone found it funny to open all the pasture gates, releasing all the horses, Thunderwith showed his capabilities in a new way. He was found with one of his baby daughters, Briar Rose, protectively shielding her with his body as he repeatedly attacked a trio of hungry stray dogs with his hooves. By the time I arrived, one lay dead from a well-placed blow to the head.

At 16 years old, he was diagnosed with EIA during the club outbreak. He was quarantined and wept for – and when the retest came back, it was blessedly negative.

Soon a few new Mustangs began to crop up in the club, such as Kingly Aire and Loose Bolt. The breed truly became a hit when Natalie joined, bringing her own champion group of Thundersky and Silver Eclipse, and later Virtual Dreams. His stud fee jumped to $1000. By the time he passed away, he would sire 20 foals, 18 of them reaching maturity (one foal was stillborn and a buckskin colt called Heart of the Storm died of EIA at age 3).

When the Incentive Fund was started, Thunderwith was the very first stallion nominated. His stud fee was raised one last time to $1100. At age 25, he was put up for one last chance at public breedings, and the next month he was bred to Spanish Sky for his last foal, Final Thunder. Thunderwith’s last years on earth were spent in peace and comfort, until he passed away in his sleep at age 30, May 30th, 2001. Although he is no longer with us, he has left a proud stamp on the Mustang breed. Today his descendants number over 100 and reach down five generations.

Thunderwith was my working partner. He was gentle, but not the tame pet so many of my horses are. He never lost his dignity or spirit – his heritage was present in every move. Ever in perfect condition, he loved a challenge, whether it was flat racing, cutting, calf roping or barrel racing. He knew how to perform in absolutely every Western discipline, and he excelled in all of them. Galloping on him was the equivalent of riding the wind. He swept halter classes as well, including the year he stood as Best of Breed.

The 14.3hh stallion was the king of the farm, and all of the other horses knew it. None of the other studs ever questioned his authority, never dared to challenge him. His closest animal friend was Bumblee, the Collie. Horse and dog shared a peaceful friendship, with Bumblee often trotting into Thunderwith’s pasture and following along as he grazed, or lying in the sun with him. Bumblee never missed a chance to accompany us on a trail ride. Thunderwith, in turn, loved to be out and about, and his tough little Mustang heart never seemed to tire no matter how long we rode. He would never be considered a kid-safe horse, for one could never exactly anticipate what he might do, but he was perfect with me. Many times we went for a bareback dip in the lake, and he never put up a fuss when it was time to leave. He loved to be petted and would nuzzle me lovingly when I stroked his face.

A lock of his black mane remains saved in my scrapbook, his halter saved and never again used. Goodbye, old friend. You will not be forgotten.