Owner searches for beloved horse

Story by Kevin Lahner, Staff Writer

Click here for flyer

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DEBI,
I still haven't found or heard anything about Bobbi (my mare whom I fell off of on the trails in Southlake, Texas four years ago and never saw again). I sure would appreciate it if you included her photo in your calendar so more eyes would be looking out for her. I know someone out there has her or has seen her (whether unwittingly or not). 

Every day I still pray that some day I will hear her distinctive whinny again. She was my first horse and would have been 20 on April 21, 2004. All I want to know is that she has a good home and to give her one final hug if they can't part with her. I still love her with all my heart. 

Anyway, I would sure appreciate it if she was one of your calendar "girls". Thank you.
'
Roberta "Bird" Gierhart
Argyle, Texas
940-241-1220
Bird147@aol.com 
11/19/2004

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Argyle  When Roberta "Bird" Gierhart talks about her horse Bobbi, her eyes tear up at the memories they have created riding the trails throughout North Texas.

As every horse-person knows, a special bond develops between a horse and its rider, and that bond is even more special for Gierhart and the 17-year-ol4 Arabian she has been riding for six years.

Ms. Gierhart has Parkinson's disease, and the horse she road nearly every other day knew how to listen to her, was able to ignore the random movement Parkinson's patients suffer and was willing to ride the trails with Bird at any given moment.

"It's a life, it's even more than a passion," Gierhart said. "I don't know what I'd do if my horse just disappeared"

 

But, in an unfortunate accident Sept. 17, Bobbi got spooked on the Southlake Walnut Grove Trails, throwing Gierhart from the saddle.

"She took off through the brush and that was the last time anybody saw her" she said.

Ms. Gierhart said she ran back to the trail head and saw a police officer waiting for animal control officer to pick up some stray dogs. The officer and others looked for Bobbi, but to no avail. And now mom than two weeks late; Bobbi has not been found.

Ms. Gierhart and her husband Chuck have posted signs throughout the Southlake area, notified the police department and have enlisted the help of riding clubs. Forty to 50 people were looking for the horse Saturday, Oct. 2, and an airplane searched the area as well. Still, Bobbi has not turned up, and Gierhart said she now believes the horse she has grown to love was taken.

"The main thrust is looking at the auctions, and the slaughterhouses have been notified." Gierhart said. "I just hope that if somebody does have her they are treating her well.

Bobbi is a Chestnut Arabian with four white stockings, a white "star" on her fore- head and a white strip down her snout. Gierhart said the horse also has a long thin scar on her back left leg.

Those with any information or who wish to help can call the Gierharts at (940) 241- 1220.

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Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
Roberta "Bird" Gierhart (Bird147@aol.com) on Monday, December 13, 2004 at
16:02:11
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owner name: Roberta "Bird" Gierhart

email: Bird147@aol.com 

city: Argyle

state: Texas

zip: 76226

home phone: 940-241-1220

work phone: N/A

other phone: 940-390-1840

fax: 940-241-2528

date missing: September 2000

missing how: Accident during riding

city county missing: Southlake, Texas

horses name: Bobbi

breed: Arabian

sex: Mare

color: Chestnut

age: Now 20

weight: 1100

height: 15 hands

identifiable characteristics: 

• Four white stockings with 
• snip and stripe down face with map of Australia

how missing details: I was riding alone on riding trails at Walnut Grove Park, Southlake, Texas when Bobbi spooked as some tires dislodged at a dumping site.  She ran through the near brush and I thought she'd be on the other side. I never saw her again but found some contents of my saddle bags further on down the trail. It was about 12:30 on a sunny Friday afternoon and we had ridden those trails many times before so she was familiar with them.

local agency: Southlake Police Dept.

agency city: Southlake

agency state: Texas

agency zip: 76092

agency report date: October 2000

reward: No

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