Reba McEntire – “Just Like Them Horses”: A Final Goodbye Wrapped in Grace and Love
Some songs aren’t written to entertain — they’re written to heal. Reba McEntire’s“Just Like Them Horses” is one of those rare and sacred songs that feel more like a prayer than a performance. It’s tender, deeply human, and heartbreakingly beautiful — a song about saying goodbye, not in sorrow, but in peace. For older listeners who’ve lost someone dear or who have stood at the edge of life’s hardest goodbyes, this song feels like a hand on the shoulder — soft, understanding, and full of grace.
Released in 2016 on her album Love Somebody,“Just Like Them Horses” was originally written by Liz Hengber and Tommy Lee James. Reba revealed that the song became deeply personal to her after her father’s passing. In fact, she recorded it as a tribute to him, and even used it in his funeral — making it one of the most intimate moments of her entire career.
The song begins quietly, almost like a whisper: “She said, ‘Just like them horses, now it’s time to run.’” In that single line, Reba captures what every loved one hopes to leave behind — a sense of release. It’s about letting go, not with fear, but with faith. The horses in the song become a symbol of freedom — of leaving pain behind and galloping toward something eternal and peaceful.
Reba’s voice carries the story with gentle strength. There’s no effort to impress — only to express. You can hear both the heartbreak of a daughter and the wisdom of a woman who’s seen life’s full circle — love, loss, and acceptance. The simplicity of the production — soft piano, delicate strings, and that unmistakable Oklahoma honesty in her tone — allows every word to breathe and every emotion to linger.
For older listeners, “Just Like Them Horses” brings comfort in its truth. It reminds us that death isn’t the end; it’s a continuation — a quiet crossing from one pasture to another. It’s about love that endures beyond the final breath and the promise that someday, we’ll see our loved ones running free again.
The song’s accompanying video, filmed on Reba’s family ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma, adds another layer of emotion. Dressed in black, Reba rides her horse across the same land where she grew up — a daughter saying goodbye to her father, yet also returning to her roots. It’s a visual that says everything words cannot.
“Just Like Them Horses” isn’t just a song about loss; it’s a song about peace, release, and the eternal bond between love and memory. For anyone who’s had to let go, it’s a gentle reminder that goodbyes may break your heart — but love, like those wild horses, will always run free.
