23 is pretty old for a horse. For some reason he reminds me very much of a Palomino I used to ride named Rocket. He was a dandy sweetheart. No bad manners there. You could depend on him through thick & thin. His face looked quite like Sam's.
Well, I'm POSITIVE he's waiting for you in the hereafter & will whinny & come running when he sees you! We will all be reunited there.