Grab your coffee for this week’s edition.

I am certain we have all heard, at one time or another, a variation of this saying:“Behind every great man is a great woman.”

Some wild stallions have their own adaptations, such as: “Behind every great stallion is a great alpha mare.”

But the one that holds true mostly for a lead stallion is: “Behind a great stallion is a great lieutenant”—or, in some cases, lieutenants.

Such is the case with lead stallion Serta. Serta has had his band for several years, and his lieutenants, One Knee, and Surfer Dude, have been right by his side.

In their younger years, these three boys as a band were a pretty wild bunch—nicknamed by some of our volunteers as Mt. Vesuvius for their constant explosive behavior. Our volunteers felt sorry for the mares and babies—those poor horses never knowing which way the wind was blowing or what would upset the boys. It may have been like living in a fraternity.

One Knee and Surfer Dude protected the band admirably. They kept watch for people who got too close, kept an eye out for loose dogs, and handled goofball bachelors willing to try and bump heads with them. The two stood tall and proud, staying alert for anything that might harm the band. These two also fought with each other to see who would have the privilege of taking on the bad guys. Their fights got so bad several years ago that One Knee initiated Surfer Dude’s isolation from the band and banished him. But Surfer, being Surfer, refused to walk away.

Over the years, they have put their differences aside and continued taking care of the band. A couple of years ago, their toughness took on a whole different meaning when they desperately defended the band and baby Mirabelle against a mountain lion. Unfortunately, the lion won that round, and little Mirabelle was lost, with both One Knee and Surfer Dude suffering injuries.

Unfortunately, time and age wait for no one—including wild horses. Both boys have had their hands full over the past couple of years with the constant onslaught of challenges from younger, stronger stallions, and their time as lieutenants has ended. While they have each gone their separate ways, it is time for them to heal their bodies and enjoy their retirement.

This one is for you, boys.

This is “As the River Flows.”