31/07/2026
Happy All Horses' Birthday!!
Today is a special one. Not only is it All Horses' Birthday, it's also the birthday of my grandfather, Hector "Tex" Barker.
Looking through these old newspaper clippings, it's easy to see that horses weren't just part of his life, they were his life.
Tex spent years droving cattle and horses across Victoria, New South Wales and into North Queensland. He was known as an exceptional horseman, people said could get a horse to do just about anything.
The newspaper clippings tell the story of the miles he travelled and the stock he moved, but it's the family stories I love most, loading horses into the back of a ute to take home, and every year on his birthday, bringing a horse into the house to celebrate.
Looking at my own life now, I reckon the love of horses must run in the blood.
Happy All Horses' Birthday... and happy birthday, Hector "Tex" Barker.