Reggie Tribute

“All horses deserve, at least once in their lives, to be loved by a little girl.”

I was 13 when Reggie was born. I remember really liking him when he was little and even getting the honor of naming him like I had named his sister. But I knew that we were in the business of raising horses to sell. Reggie was soon sold to a new family. I remember it was the spring of 1995 and my dad telling me that he and my mom had gotten Reggie back for me. In the horse business we had a lot of horses and I had spent a lot of time loving our business and family horses and other people’s horses.
But Reggie was the first horse that was mine, all mine.

When he was old enough I got the privilege of training him with Dad’s help of course.
Reggie and I taught each other a lot. We had a lot of fun together.
One of my favorite memories is working on cantering out in the big open fields.
I also remember always being able to go to the pasture whistle and call “Reggie Roo”
and he would canter right up to me at the gate.

Like most girls, I got older and priorities changed. I went to school and moved to Erie, PA pursuing a job and a new life. I had incurred quite the debt to my parents.
So, I “sold” them Reggie to pay off my debt.

Reggie stayed here at PTC and began his career as a school horse.
I know he taught a lot of people how to ride.
I always enjoyed seeing the tiniest of girls ride him with ease. I was proud of my boy.
Reggie was now not just my boy but he was Mom’s boy too!
She was able to spend countless hours teaching with him and watching him work
and teach many to ride and enjoy horses as much as we enjoyed him.

I was glad, every time I would come home he would be here for me to see and give a pat to.
In 2008 I moved home and though he “technically” wasn’t mine anymore
I always felt he was my horse. Mom, Dad and I were blessed to share and
fall in love with this beautiful boy.
You couldn’t spend time with him without falling in love with him.

“When we love our animals as family we begin to realize animals are our family.”

I remember finally getting “back in the saddle” and riding him again.
It was wonderful. Riding him on the trails again took away all those stresses
and pressures in my adult life. I regret not riding him more.

On Tuesday, January 29th for the last time I held his head in my hands and rubbed his ears
and smelled his sweet muzzle. I rubbed him all over.
On Wednesday, January 30th I got the call that it was time to let him go.
Reggie was deeply loved by this little girl and I’m sure by many more.
There has never been a more gently and kind horse for anyone
to love or have the privilege of knowing.

“Through the days of love and celebration and joy, and through the dark days of mourning…
the faithful horses has been with us always.”
– Elizabeth Cotton

“When we think of those companions who traveled by our side down life's road,
let us not say with sadness that they left us behind,
but rather say with gentle gratitude that they once were with us.”

I know for many of you this will be very difficult news to receive
as many of you loved Reggie as much as we all did here.

"Reggie was a true gentleman to work with over the many years

that I have known him. He was such a peaceful giant.

He will be truly missed by those of us here at Equicare."
~ Dr. Lari Hoback

"He was as good as gold, and as brave as they come.
I'm so sorry for y'all's loss."

~ Dr. Katy Carothers

"I'm so glad things didn't workout for us and you got him back!
They are like a child to us in so many ways. So sorry for your loss!
You all are in our thoughts and prayers!"

~ Nicole Phillips

“During one of my darkest weeks – drowning in sadness, loss,
horrible acts of violence, being too close to “monsters” & trying to
hold everyone else together when I was questioning where the
Justice was in this Judicial world I have chosen for my life’s work.
I called Debbie asking instead of a lesson could I just take a trail ride –
so grateful for her response “we can make that happen”
When I walked into the barn Reggie was saddled waiting on me –
what a glorious sight. Unexpected added bonus Blanchard & Zach
were going out with me – WOW this world’s ok after all.
Reggie carried me with no issues’ he sensed and answered each
of my requests of walk, trot and canter with amazing ease.
Reggie was my therapy riding him that day blew the ugly sadness
away giving me strength to face the monsters and support the victims.
Thank you Reggie for letting me Breathe again."

~Pam Dukes

"Reggie was amazing and we all loved him very much!"

~Megan Ray

"I spent so much time riding Reggie he truly helped my riding and
boosted my confidence so much. He was an amazing horse to ride
and be around I hadn't ridden him in quite some time before last Monday,
it brought back so many special memories of the hours spent on his back.
I remeber the first time I rode him many years ago, I had to stand on his
feed bucket to reach his head. Reggie was one of the sweetest gentle
giants I had ever met, I will never forget him."

~Katelin Swygert

"Everyone who rides at Poole is going to miss Reggie...
he was a great horse."
~ April South

"He was loved and enjoyed by so many."

~ Blake Taylor

"I am so grateful for the day you and Reggie rode with Peggy and Faith

and Pria and me- a bittersweet memory at this moment.

The gentle giant will be greatly missed but has crossed the

Rainbow Bridge to be at peace with all the others."

~Patti Smith

"He was always such a head turner with his Regal beauty.

No matter how many times I had seen him when visiting,

I still had to just stop and admire him.

He was lucky to be a Poole and had a life filled with love!"

~ Sabrena Burnett Atencio

"So sorry, loved riding him, teaching on him, grooming him, playing with him.
He will be missed."

~ Lynne Hauptner

"Such a Sweet Boy."

~Cathy Hoffman

"Reggie will be greatly missed. He was such a good boy."

~Cindy Griggs

"He will always live in your heart, they become a part of you. There is something to be said about the love shared between a little girl and her 1st horse."

~ Katie Sease Black

"We all loved Reggie.
He was the first horse I rode when I started taking lessons at the barn."

~ Sarah Ellisor

"He was always my favorite. Will will all miss him."

~Susan Phillips