Noble, an award-winning therapy horse and beloved staff member at Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center, died in mid-December. He worked at the equine center for six years in a variety of programming and had a positive impact on many riders thanks to his easy-going nature.

“It was a beautiful and quiet passing,” said Sarah McKay, the executive director of Misty Meadows.

At a burial service sparklers were lit to commemorate his death.

Noble joined the team at Misty Meadows as a four-legged staff member in 2018 and participated in all of the programming offered by the learning center, including archery and vaulting. Ms. McKay said that he loved to give children rides.

Maggie Bernard helps out with Noble. — Jeanna Shepard

In 2023, Noble was awarded the title of Equine of the Year from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. Ms. McKay recalled one example of Noble’s skill while giving a student from Island Autism a trail ride. During the ride, someone abruptly stepped out from the bushes, spooking Noble. The rider also became frightened and began to scream. In an instant, Noble calmed himself and stopped moving, allowing the rider to relax so the two could move forward.

“It’s just an example of how the guy showed up for people,” Ms. McKay said.

Noble was at least 34 years old. According to Ms. McKay, he was raised in an Amish community to be a work horse, but would not pull a cart.

“Knowing his personality, many of us have surmised that didn’t go well,” Ms. McKay said.

Noble was brought to the Island when he was around four years old. He traveled to California on the show circuit a few times, where he was nicknamed Houdini because of his desire to escape.

He worked at the Rising Tide Therapeutic Riding Center in West Tisbury until the organization merged with Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center in 2018.

Noble’s penchant for escapism remained strong during his time on the Island. When Misty Meadows retired Noble from his general work duties and found a home for him in West Tisbury, the arrangement did not last long. He stayed for just four nights before breaking out and walking six miles back to his original home at Rising Tides.

Seeing that Noble was not ready to retire, he was allowed to return to his duties as a therapeutic horse, helping riders with disabilities take part in equine activities. In recent year, his involvement in programming slowed down, and the staff at Misty Meadows allowed him to roam the property at will in the two months before his death.

“We honored his request, because he’s always been an escape artist,” said Ms. McKay. “He was able to say his goodbyes.”

Noble is remembered for being as social as he was willful. Ms. McKay recalled that at an event held to celebrate him, the horse made sure to greet every visitor.

“He was the most beautiful, majestic horse imaginable with the sweetest, kindest eyes,” Ms. McKay said. “He was big and bold and beautiful.”