In Memory Of...

Buck

BUCK was a 35 year-old buckskin gelding. Buck was a Little Bits horse for many years. He used to be a trail horse in the mountains. He was very brave and would go anywhere his rider asked him to.

Comet

Comet was 26 years of age when we had to say goodbye. She contributed many years to the program and was such a sweet girl. Comet's owner Gary Horan was very upset to lose her. We always said if we could clone Comet then we would have the best string of therapy horse in the country. Not too wide or tall, she had a good forward moving walk and the cutest western jog when asked. She always listened to her rider and so became the favorite horse for our independent riders. And what pride, confidence and courage she gave them. Yet, Comet readily accepted the rider who needed the most support. She graciously welcomed a leader, two side-walkers and perhaps a nervous rider into her own personal space. Comet never nipped, threatened to kick or even put her ears back and with so much going on around her.

Chad

Chad was a character, a horse who was very sure of himself and of his place at Whitemud. He did have a soft side that shone when he was at work with Little Bits. As a therapy horse, Chad provided our riders with a calm, caring, steady nature. He was always patient at the mounting block, standing so still while his precious cargo was carefully adjusted into just the right position. Chad was able to carry riders with severe disabilities, but he was also a great horse for our independent riders as well. He gave every rider such confidence in his or her own abilities, however limited they may be. Because of the great amount of time his owner Jean Smith spent riding him outside, he was always the lead horse for all trail rides. Chad could cope with all the unexpected threats that horses experience when outside. Not only did the instructors and riders have great confidence in him, but so did the other horses on the ride.

Pence

Pence was a grey gelding thoroughbred. He was 21 years old. He came to Whitemud in December 2008 and started as a Little Bits horse in Spring 2010. Pence was our tallest horse, he was 17 hands high. Pence used to jump at horse shows. Pence has been trained to our mechanical lift, and was a great addition to our team.

Smokey

Smokey was  28 years old when he passed away. He was a grey gelding. Smokey was only a Little Bits therapy horse for a short while but he really loved his job. He was gentle with his riders and was very quiet to lead. He used to be a trail riding horse so he was used to being outside and really enjoyed going for trail rides here with his Little Bits riders. Smokey was a sweet tempered, lovable horse and he will be missed.

Tuffy

He lived nearly his entire life at Whitemud and on a beautiful evening with the sky clearing in the west, he went on to meet his other working companions; Pax, Prince, Ribbon, Chad, Comet, Willa and so many other special horses who brought love, success and accomplishment to the riders in our program.

LBTRA was founded in 1975, and at that time Tuffy was one of the horses used in the program. Back then he was also used to teach kids and adults the fine art of equitation as well as jumping. Always a steady fellow never causing any concern (unless you tightened his girth too quickly), he did however live in the shadow of his best buddy Pax, the golden palomino.

After a few years it became evident that Tuffy could no longer put in full time hours as a lesson horse, and once again Jeanette stepped forward to purchase Tuffy, simply to ensure that he could live out his life at the only home he had ever really known. Jeanette did not purchase Tuffy to ride, only to keep him safe and secure, and to enable him to continue providing Little Bits riders with a reliable, trustworthy ride. Tuffy had the best of care, feed, supplements and love from Jeanette. She and her veterinarian (Sean Archibald) gave Tuffy twice-yearly check-ups to be certain that he was sound and safe for our riders. After all, it is rare indeed that a plus forty-year old horse is an active member of a therapeutic riding program. In fact, the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association named Tuffy, at age 41, the Canadian Therapy Horse of the Year in 2005.

This spring Tuffy worked for one hour a day for three or four days a week. We would go out to bring him in for a class, and never once had to go farther than just inside the gate, call him and he came, ready to meet his special rider for the day. His work ethic was beyond compare, and when most of the horses would see the arena doors open to the barn, they would drag their leaders towards it. Tuffy would often refuse to leave the arena, figuring someone else was waiting for a ride. Tuffy came into the arena on Sunday June 10th, ready to work. The instructors noticed his gait was off, dismounted his rider and sent him back to the barn just to be safe. He was under constant watch and good care for the last couple of days, having been seen by his vet and a massage therapist. Late Wednesday afternoon it became clear that he was ready to say good-bye. Jeanette, his loving, dedicated Mom let him go with dignity and grace amongst a group of loving friends at the only home Tuffy has known. It was just as it should be. Tuffy touched so many many lives and he will always be one of the very special ones... maybe even the most special.

The Tuffy Fund has been established in Tuffy's memory to provide financial assistance for children with disabilities in low-income families so that they too, may experience the benefits of therapeutic riding.

Willa

Willa, the former polo pony of Sue Wort of Tudor Tack was brought back to Whitemud by her last owner, Nora Ross. A smallish gray roan mare with an unremarkable face, spent her last years as a therapy horse in the program that was in part founded by Sue's husband, Bert. Bert speaks highly of Willa saying she was one of the finest horses he has ever known. Many Little Bits riders share Bert's sentiments.