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Reggie was a horse who was full of character and at times cheeky, but most of the times he was dignified even a little stubborn. He was my mate, a horse you could count on. I always felt safe when riding him a beautiful trot and canter which I do not think I will see the likes of again. I met Reggie in 2013 whilst studying horse care and handling at a technical college in Richmond NSW Australia for 12 months. He was one of the horses that formed part of my learning curriculum. I adopted Reggie in 2015 when he came for him to retire; I had moved onto university studying my Bachelor of Equine Science Degree so Reggie would be coming with me 6 hours to Wagga Wagga NSW. Reggie being my first horse taught me so much in the months and then years that I had him for two years he followed me between home and Wagga Wagga, he improved my riding and handling confidence over that time. Our bond grew tremendously, which is significant as Reggie was not a horse that was always overly affectionate, but he showed it to me in his own way. I knew when he wanted pats and when he wanted to be by himself, but overall, Reggie was a horse who liked to please, he would do anything when asked even when he did not feel like doing it, I can still see the faces he pulled sometimes. Reggie was also my support, especially when I got accepted into Veterinary Medicine in Wagga Wagga, again Reggie would follow me for the next two years, he was my release when I found out my father was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer during my first year of vet school. Unfortunately, it was during this time that Reggie became laminitic, my vet in Wagga told me to ice his hooves around the clock, I was so lucky to have a hand from my vet friends otherwise I do not know what I would have done. The vet administered bute and told me not to let him fool me when he looks better in the morning as it was just the bute. Well 24 hours later Reggie made the decision he was better I arrived in the to ice his hooves, I found his stall empty and the gate to the paddock open, somehow had opened both gates and allowed himself into the pasture and sure enough there he was with the cheekiest look on his face with his ears pricked! We put him back in his stall and Reggie ended up surviving this experience. Reggie would later be diagnosed with cushings by my veterinary friends from work and would require daily doses of pergolide and over the next 12 months. In those last 12 months I saw your body age significantly and slow down, I was in denial, I was hoping you would reach 30 and the thought of losing you whilst at the same time losing my father was unbearable, I did not want to let it in. But you came good again or so I thought, the last time we drove home together from university I did not know it would be our last, had I did I would have treasured it more, but Dad was in his final hours. When Dad passed, I thought you would be there to help me through but it was not to be your body was tired and 24 hours after Dad passed, you went to sleep for the last time too. Nine months have passed and I am still in shock especially regarding the odds of both of you passing within 24 hours of each other. It has taken me my every ounce to write this the tears still flow freely. I love you Reggie and I am so very sorry, in my pursuit of learning to heal and ease the suffering of other animals, the one I treasured the most as you were my own I could not save... Reggie every Shackleton knows the following Fortidudine Vincimus (By Endurance We Conquer) and by golly in the wonderful 6 years that you were with me, you more than certainly demonstrated this, you were and are a part of my family the Shackleton family and are deserving of it. Reggie it will be a while but please wait for me with Dad and I know you will as I can always count on you. I know you and Dad will be looking down on me when I graduate as a veterinarian. Scott. |
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