Where Did Sikes Lake Van Gogh Horse Go?

I first noticed the new sign you see above, a couple weeks ago, stuck in the ground at the side of the paved trail which surrounds Sikes Lake.

Upon first look I thought this sign to be a bit dangerous. A sharp slab of metal stuck to a pole stuck in the ground.

It is not unheard of to have a mishap whilst riding a bike, roller blading, skateboarding, scootering, jogging or just walking.

In other words, to me, this sign looked to be a bit of a road hazard.

Now, today, when I rolled by the sign I stopped because I saw something was missing, with the missing thing in need of being photo documented.

The sign describes two works of art. One being known as "Painters Parade (small horse)". The other known as "Apple-oosa (large horse)".

But today only the small horse is still standing. The large horse has disappeared.

Why? One can not help but wonder.

Vandals? Thieves? The sign says the horses are on loan to the WFMA (Wichita Falls Museum of Art). Did someone decide to no longer want to loan the large horse?

These two works of horse art were notable due to what is painted on them. As in works of art representing the most famous painters the world has seen. Like Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt, Dali, those types.

A couple years ago marked the last time I saw Elsie Hotpepper in person. We met at a gazebo near the horse statues. Elsie Hotpepper was accompanied by her leading new husband candidate and that candidate's daughter. I recollect telling the daughter it was okay to try and pet the geese, but gently, so as not to get goosed.

I regretted later that it did not occur to me to suggest to the daughter that she walk the short distance around the bend in the trail so she could visit the two horses of many colors and all their works of art.

Maybe by the next time Elsie Hotpepper comes to town, with her now step-daughter, the large horse will have returned, available for the step-daughter's perusal...