Fran and Suki as a three-year-old, not long after Fran purchased her.
more difficult than I had anticipated. My budget was modest by some standards, but enough to purchase a very nice quality three-year-old, or so I thought. For over a year my husband and I viewed at least 75 videos of young prospects, visiting some in person.
Just as the search appeared fruitless, I received a video of
a three-year-old Oldenburg filly named Amiritta (G Ramiro Z and Nimmerdor bloodlines) from Capriole Farm in British Columbia. The footage was of her as a three-month-old foal by her mother’s side during her inspection. The breeder/ seller told me that if I was interested she would make a current video and send it to me. She was originally going to keep the mare for herself, but by age three Amiritta was already 16.3, larger than what the seller wanted. As the beautiful premium-rated baby floated across the screen I was hooked, immediately requesting a new video. The tape arrived less than two weeks later and when I hit play it felt like my heart stopped for a moment. There was Amiritta, a coppery chestnut with four white socks and a blaze. I could not take my eyes from her as she demonstrated her beautiful gaits at liberty. The search was over. At that time I was reading an Abigail Adams
biography. Her daughter Susannah’s nickname was Suki, and I thought it was the perfect nickname for my new girl. Because she did not already have one, I asked the seller to start to call her ‘Suki.’ So in August 2003, Suki made the long journey across Canada and down to Pennsylvania. I had never met her in person, so as I ran to her stall upon her arrival I called her name. She nickered in response and I threw my arms around her neck. It was love at first sight. Over the next six years, Suki and I
developed a strong partnership. Our dressage training had had its ups and downs, but right before the fire, I was excited that we had recently made great progress. Little did I know that my time in the saddle was soon coming to an end.
The Healing Process The day after the fire Suki was already showing clear signs of improvement, demanding treats and impressing every- one with her positive attitude and will to survive. The long road ahead was fraught with the possibility of complications
14 July/August 2013
according to the veterinarians. Amazingly, other than a slight fever of unknown origin, Suki did not suffer any of those potential complications. Superior pain management enabled Suki to maintain her appetite and diva personality. Because burn healing greatly increases metabolism it is critical to have appropriate caloric intake. Suki arrived at New Bolton Center weighing 1460 lbs. and left weighing 1467! With burns over seventy percent of her body, the charred
skin gradually sloughed away revealing pink, healthy skin beneath it. The new delicate skin required daily treatment and Suki was not always the most cooperative patient. At nearly 17.3 hands and unable to wear a regular halter due to the burns on her head, sedation was required for more complex treatments. The burns on Suki’s head caused the formation of corneal ulcers in both eyes. Gratefully they healed completely, thanks to the commitment of the medical staff to the four times daily ointment application, fully restoring Suki’s vision. She ultimately lost the tips of both ears, which had been too damaged to heal. During my visits with Suki I would speak with the doctors, nurses and veterinary students about her progress and just spend time with Suki in her stall, grooming the areas that had hair and feeding her treats. Eventually she was allowed to walk the aisles of ICU to stretch her legs. Each time I left to go home Suki watched me, following my exit through a high window on the outside of the building. After seven weeks in ICU Suki was released
to a rehabilitation farm much closer to my home. A substantial amount of daily care was still required, something I was unable to do myself. During the time that Suki was at New Bolton I was only able to visit three or four times a week, so it was nice to have her nearby. She was now able to spend time outside, although only before sunrise and after sunset because we had to protect her skin from the sun. Kelly Buss, the barn owner, took excellent care of Suki, tending to all of her medical needs and the special requirements of a recovering burn patient. As the months passed by, Suki continued to thrive under Kelly’s watchful eye, and nine months later, on “Derby Day” in 2010, she was ready for a regular boarding barn just ten minutes from my home. At the same time that I moved
Top & middle: Suki after two weeks in recovery. Bottom: Suki, about one month after the fire.
Suki, my three-year-old filly Nikki was ready to be started under saddle. So after a few weeks of training in New Jersey, I brought Nikki home and the two mares became stable and pasture mates. It was heartwarming to watch Suki play outside like any other horse.
“The day after the fire Suki was already showing clear signs of improvement, demand
Francis Wade Whittaker Francis Wade Whittaker Francis Wade Whittaker
Michael Whittaker
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