Update

After many wonderful years owning my Appaloosa mare, I finally had to say goodbye on March 10, 2016.  She was 30 years old and suffered with a few ailments which were controlled with medicine, but she started having seizures - at first a month apart, and then a couple in one day and it was decided that in order to prevent her from hurting herself it was better to put her down.

I had a great relationship with this horse.  I was the second owner having gotten her when she was 3.  We showed and trained in dressage and I was able to train her from training level all the way to Prix St. Georges.  We didn't burn up the show ring, but we had a great time.  I think she liked to be shown.  She also was a schoolmaster having been used as a lesson horse by a friend of mine and later by me.  The last three students were two young ladies who had their own horses and had not gotten them up to her level so they got a chance to experience some advanced movements, and a little boy about 10 who was just increasing his skill level at riding at all.

Alas, though, her age crept up on her, becoming blind in one eye, and having trouble tripping, and finally the seizures.  I hope to partner up with another horse and maybe even get a chance to finish up the rest of the levels, but I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to ride this horse and experience some things others don't get a chance to do.

I always wanted to pay her tribute while she was alive, but am now doing so after her passing.  I feel she had a great life and the last place I boarded her she loved to stand and bask in the sun having only to be turned out in a paddock off of her stall, and put up with me when I would come and ride her even doing a flying change of lead each way two weeks before her passing - it was a great ride - literally and figuratively!!

Laura Sulander
April 2, 2016

Welcome to Orrie Oaks Dressage!

 I'd like to introduce you to my senior mare. We have been together more than 25 years and this mare is a great example of why the fundamentals of good classical dressage are so valuable. The systematic principles of classical dressage promote the long term health and welfare of the horse. Whether we ride Western or English, these principles, when properly learned and applied, make for happy horses, content and comfortable in their work, even long into their senior years.

We'll visit more about this as time goes by.

Thank you for stopping by.

Laura Sulander

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Read more at: http://viewfrommysaddle.blogspot.com/2013/02/orrie-oaks-dressage-in-minnesota-wlaura.html