Letters to Warmblood Today (W.T.)

Dear Editors,

I would like to update you on my horse’s progress after you published an article about us in November/December 2011 entitled, “Laura’s Miracle Mare.” At that point, roughly three years after her life-threatening injury, I had just begun lightly riding her under saddle – which was a joyous miracle at the time.

Since then, my mare Cassie has continued to progress and I want you and your readers to know how much I have learned from this experience. I now understand the statement, “My life changed in a matter of seconds,” as it did when Cassie shattered one of her pastern bones in her right front leg into over 15 pieces while cantering on a lunge line. I felt as if my world had collapsed. We were so blessed to have an amazing surgeon who saved Cassie’s life. While most everyone thought that Cassie would be a retired pasture horse at best, we had other dreams.

Our journey has been fraught with both tears of sorrow and tears of joy, but we just kept putting one “hoof” in front of the other. It was a long arduous road against the worst kind of odds. Frequently I asked myself if we were going forward or backward. Others expressed doubt and often shook their heads. But we were on a mission and we never lost sight of our dream and the belief that miracles can happen. Cassie’s perseverance, patience and heart got us through those tenuous first six months and I decided I would let Cassie show me how far she wanted to go.

I knew that if given the chance, horses have an amazing ability to heal. In Cassie’s case, I had an extra advantage — a horse with the biggest heart ever. Not only did we walk under saddle, but we trotted and cantered and more recently we are jumping again! It’s been over six years since her injury and I know how very lucky I am to have a horse like Cassie, who wanted her job back and would not let anything get in her way. I held that space for her and never let it go. Thanks so much for letting us share our inspirational story in your magazine.

-Dr. Laura Mann, Mann Formulations, Agoura Hills, CA