Meet Pooh

Meet Pooh, a chestnut warmblood gelding who has made a huge difference in the life of his human companion. Walt tells us about their relationship ....

          When I first had gotten started with Pooh, he was a huge cookie horse that all he did was look for treats. I happened to find him while trying to find something to keep me busy. I have been diagnosed with PTSD among several other mental health issues. When we first met, he had started to love on me like we have known each other for years. I had gotten to the point I was interested in trying to find a horse. It had to be like, "Pooh - love me for who I am." I know with all my illnesses I can be hard to get along with. But at no time did Pooh worry about it.
          I talked to Barb to see if she would sell him. She stated that she couldn't sell him. I understood - he was one of her babies. But she thought about it once she seen the bond we had. She would free lease him to me. Now with her doing that, I was jaw-dropped shocked because I'm not used to others helping me. That is also part of the mental health issues. So we decided to take him to Karen's barn. Since we had gotten him there he is a totally changed horse.
          When this all started, I was taking between 10-12 anti-anxiety meds a day. In the past like 6 months, I have been doing much better. I'm down to 2 anti-anxiety pills a day. I have to truly say that if it wasn't for Pooh I don't know where I would be at.
          In the spring we are looking forward to starting a small equine therapeutic riding farm. I know how much joy Pooh has brought me in the past few months. During this time frame, I had met June while she was trimming other horses at the barn, including Pooh. I have to say that Pooh is doing his job by keeping me calm. If I'm having a bad day, all I have to do is go say, "Pooh, I need hugs," and he comes to the fence so I can get him out. Once he is out, I can play and hug on him. In those moments, I feel like there is absolutely nothing going to bring me down. Pooh is a great horse. He is a percheron mix. He stands solid at 16.1 hh. We have a great time going to the back field to ride and just get away and lost in my own mind.