In loving memory of my Icelandic horse Kolbakur Palme

This was you - a black, confident Icelandic treasure called 'Kolbakur', which is Icelandic for '(horse with a) black back'. 'Kolbakur von Aegidienberg, -'Kolli' to his friends - you were going home with the girl. You were 9 years old at the time, bred in Germany and born on 15 June 1979. Your pedigree was outstanding, inlcuding names such as Glófaxi frá Sandhólaferju, Vörður frá Kýrholti or Goði frá Sauðárkróki. This isn't what made you special, though, Kolli. The girl was me. And what made you special was that you were my friend for almost 17 years. Although you could easily have won tolt competitions, I never showed you. We were friends and I wanted you to live a happy life, being allowed to be a horse. You lived out in the fields all year round with your many four-legged Icelandic friends. As you received treatment for your sweet itch, you were usually able to enjoy your summers too.
You were there when I was a pupil - listening to school stuff I just had to tell you about when we went out hacking in the afternoons. You were still there when I was at uni...our conversations getting slightly more intellectual. It didn't really matter - you always listened to me. You also liked being sang to. We knew each other inside out. You were a very confident horse and knew exactly what you wanted - and you usually got it. This was fine by me. There was not a bad bone in your body. You might have tried to get back home slightly faster than I would have liked you to at times but you would never have bucked or anything trying to get rid of me. I have so many wonderful memories of hours spent together in sunshine, rain or snow...hacking, going for walks (looking for your favourite plants) or just me watching you play with your friends. You loved your food and were always keen to find out what I had brought you...carrots, apples or dried bread....

You taught the young stallions manners. Can you remember how they respected and adored you? You were also adopted, looked after and loved to bits by Faxi, a handsome chestnut Aegidienberg stallion. He was always around you, protecting you. The two of you became good friends and were never seen apart although it has to be said that it was Faxi who was crazy about you and you basically didn't mind being looked after. However, if I took you out, groomed you, went riding or for walks with you it was Faxi going nuts running up and down the field, neighing - not you. You knew all about priorities. You were certainly one very smart horse, Kolli!

So many memories, so many things we went through together - I suppose I could write a book about our time together.

Here's a small gallery of some of my favourite photos of you.

KOLBAKUR'S PHOTO GALLERY