The world has lost one of its greatest horsemen.
Robin Buttle age 65 died suddenly in Arenas Valley on his way to feed his horse early Sunday morning January 17, 2016. Robin was preparing for the day ahead of him. He would be feeding and exercising race horses that day for a local race yard. He was doing his morning chores when he was struck down in an instant. He will be very pleased if he gets wind of this obituary that is does not say anything about him dying in bed or in a hospital or most especially in a rest home. He died doing what he loved and what he was born to do; work with horses. Robin died with his boots on. Robin was a hand. Best horseman I've ever met, he not only knew about horses but he was connected to them. Horses wanted to give themselves to him.
I've watched him pull some real broncs into his influence and they wanted to surrender to him. He was not heavy handed in anyway; patient, quiet and kind was his way with a horse and they could not resist him.
Robin kept me alive and sound in many a hairy situation. I can't thank him enough. I also owe him for the priceless bits of information he patiently tried to hammer into my thick skull. (Some got through, Robin.)
There is no question Robin was a gifted horse trainer but he was also an accomplished cattleman, cowboy, businessman, sale barn manager, feed lot crew boss, rounder, rancher and philanthropist. Part sinner and part saint (the saint part he tried to hide but it still peeked through). He told me more than once that there was a time he was fed up and just decided to be a drunk. Trouble was he kept his work ethic and as he put it "Its hard to be a "good" drunk if you work 16 hours a day." Finally fed up with the sorry state he had driven himself to and a few health scares he set the bottle down. No doubt he was miles from a perfect man, but a man of solid worth he most certainly was.
Robin's generosity, excellent cooking, sense of humor and his friendship will be missed very much; and no amount of study, practice and experience will replace the amount of horse knowledge that left this planet on January 17th 2016.
My friend Robin is survived by his mare "Roja", his two trusty sidekicks "Bullet" and "JJ", dogs who perfectly complemented their master and were with him at the very end, Bullet and JJ tried to get him up after he died, then watched over his body till he was found.
Robin is also survived by his father Robert Buttle; his sisters Thelma Hildreth, Dort (Dorothy) Buttle, Bonnie Fraass, Polly Waters; his brothers John Buttle and his wife Kathy, Harry Buttle, and Kelly Buttle and his wife Connie as well as numerous nieces and nephews including his two adopted nephews Joshua and Caleb (KK) Vesely (who loved Uncle Robin's oak smoked tri tip).
His list of friends is also too numerous to list, though he will be missed greatly by all of us, a special loss is felt by his friends Ronda French and Christin Sell. So the best of all that is good to you my friend as you start this next journey to meet "The Father" we spoke about so many times. I understand that Jesus is coming back again astride a white horse followed by the host of heaven all mounted horseback. Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. I'm guessing Jesus wants a good broke horse; well he's got the best man for the job now. Miss you till then partner.
No service was held at family request. Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.
To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.