Before you prepare to read this week’s edition of old warriors. Please see our previous post..

Last Friday, we talked about old warriors.

We have many old warriors who fit—or have fit—into this category, and we will tell their stories. But the story of the old warrior could not be told without this stallion: Robin.

Some stallions are highly successful as lead stallions, while others seem better suited to being loyal lieutenants. Robin falls into the latter group. A few of our volunteers—before they were volunteers—remember Robin when he was Batman’s lieutenant. Yes, there you have it: our version of Batman and Robin. And they were quite the duo.

Unfortunately, in late 2012, the dashing and daring pair separated. With a parting shot, Robin claimed his favorite mare, Cholla, from Batman. As we mentioned above, some stallions are simply meant to be lieutenants—and our boy Robin truly was one of them. His time as a lead stallion was short-lived.

Over the years of monitoring these horses, we’ve come to recognize that they, like people, have preferences about who they want to be around. We suspect that if it hadn’t been for Robin’s love of Cholla, he would never have been close with either Batman or the lead stallions who came after.

In early 2014, Robin teamed up with Rocky. Don’t think for a second that Rocky wanted Robin around—but Robin, being Robin, wasn’t going to be denied being with Cholla. Eventually, Rocky acquiesced and accepted Robin as his lieutenant. It was a gamble that paid off well for Rocky.

Robin had finally found his band—and his best friend. He battled every newcomer who came their way. Together, he and Rocky conquered additional mares, growing Rocky’s band into one of the largest on the river at the time. Robin and Rocky developed a strong relationship—one where Rocky repaid Robin by granting him some breeding rights. Over the years, Robin protected the band, taking on all challengers, young or old—it didn’t matter to him.

As time passed, battle after battle left Robin’s body bearing new wounds atop old ones. He began to take longer to recover, the weariness starting to set in. As he aged, Robin would periodically disappear for a few days in an effort to heal, always returning to continue the fight to protect the band. But one day in 2021, he didn’t return.

You see, that’s what happens with most old stallions. They know when their body has had enough—when it’s time to be called home.

And this is – “As the River Flows”

Fun fact: Robin and Cholla had Lindor so he is the grand father of Wonder and Splendor! He lives on in a big way!