The Retired Horse Poem by Francis Duggan

The tired and aged horse in the paddock his better days they are long gone
Though he is enjoying his old age and for as long as he can he'll live on
In his prime he was used for rounding up cattle he could run as fast as a hare
But now his fastest is a slow trot the poor old bay seems the worst for wear.

The young Jackaroo who used to ride him when he was a fleet five year old
He went to the reaper quite early a story about him is told
Whilst riding a bull at a rodeo he received a terrible fall
From which he did never recover a sad memory for to recall.

The farmer's daughter loves the old horse up to four years ago him she used to ride
But for that he has got a bit old and time it is not on his side
She now works in the city as a secretary and on visits home him she goes to see
And he always neighs her a welcome of her he has many a good memory.

The old horse is in his mid twenties and he has known a far better day
With gray hairs on his face and muzzle he used to be a handsome bay
Horses and people in some ways are similar we all have on us a use by date
The clock on all life keeps on ticking and time on the living does not wait.