Some of you may have noticed that several weeks ago one of Steamboat’s icons went missing.
Our mascot horse Lightning was gone from his usual spot on Lincoln Avenue early in April.
That’s because he had an appointment with the doc at the clinic.
Lightning has been giving rides to Steamboat’s visitors for over 65 years. Because he has greeted Steamboat’s visitors and locals so faithfully over the years, the city council decided to make him one of the town’s registered historical assets. But all this tireless work can take it’s toll on a horse, no matter what he’s made of. So early this spring we loaded Lightning up into a trailer and took him over to see the Doc. The Doc down at Doc’s Auto Clinic, that is. It wasn’t the first time that Lightning has needed a few dings buffed out and a new coat put on, and it certainly won’t be the last. Because thanks to the hard work and skill of the Doc and his crew, Lightning looks just about as good as the day Mr. Light bought him back in 1949.
Its the kind of regular maintenance that needs to be done when you are an important part of the community and people from all over the world are relying on you. It’s not easy having this kind of responsibility though, and Lightning takes it on every day. That’s why when it’s time for one of his appointments at the clinic we like to think of it more like a vacation for the mascot horse that our town knows and loves. So here are a few pictures of Lightning’s weekend at Doc’s Auto Clinic, or rather, Doc’s Fiberglass Horse Spa.
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- It was an exciting day for Lightning, getting to go on a ride instead of giving them to everyone else.
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- Tired and a bit worn, but still sturdy as ever, Lightning had earned himself a vacation.
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- Those are the calluses of a hard-working horse.
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- Emissions testing. Lightning made us promise we wouldn’t post this picture, but we couldn’t help it.
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- Horses call it farriering, but most people would understand it better if we just called it a horse pedicure. Because that’s one of the things that a farrier does.
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- Lightning really had fun riding the lift up and down. He said that he felt like a draft horse when he was up that high.
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- A little filler, a lot of buffing, and a new coat of paint makes for a dashing steed ready to get back into action.
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- One of the wonderful people down at Doc’s Fiberglass Horse Spa.
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- Some more of the wonderful people who helped get Lightning back into tip top shape.
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- Back at F.M. Light & Sons and ready to start giving rides to people from all over the world.
We would like to give a special shout out to Doc’s Auto Clinic and everyone there who did such a fantastic job working on Lightning. They really went above and beyond our expectations. They’re the kind of business that makes us proud to be a part of the Steamboat Springs community. Thank you! Be sure to head on over to the Doc’s Facebook page and give them a like. And of course, if you ever have any car troubles, not to mention fiberglass horse maintenance, give them a call. They will treat you right. You can take Lightning’s word for it!
Of course, Lightning is back at his post in from of the store again and he would love it if you would stop by and get your picture taken with him. In fact, you would be doing him a huge favor. Because he’s got a beautiful fresh coat of paint, and no opposable thumbs to take selfies with. So if you would go and take a selfie with him he would probably consider you a personal friend.
Be sure to check out our #LightningRider gallery to see a few of the people who have gotten to ride on Lightning over the years. You can also read Lightning’s story on our History page, and find out how Lightning came to be such an important part of our little corner of the West.
