boring and tedious, Laura was determined to continue with the plan. Until one day, a friend urged her to hop on her bareback. Laura, who doesn’t weigh much, thought, why not? “I decided I’d be very careful and listen to Cassie. She could decide how much or how little she wanted to be ridden,” Laura remarks. Surprisingly, Cassie appeared eager for a little more exercise and looked forward to their bareback hacks around the property. “However, it wasn’t long before she wanted to trot and canter, and riding bareback trying to sit her big gaits was too much of a challenge. It was time to put the saddle back on. To me, it was a miracle that I was on her at all!” And over time, to everyone’s surprise, Cassie’s soundness steadily improved. Since Cassie’s jumping days are history, Laura decided
to take some very basic dressage lessons for the first time with local trainer, Verena Sonstenes-Mahin. “Cassie became very crooked from the injury and she needed straightening exercises. She also needed more strength in her hind end to help balance and shift some weight off her forehand. Verena helped us tremendously. I can feel the dressage work has made a big difference.” Today it’s been over three years since Cassie’s life-
threatening injury and her gaits are nearly perfect. Laura is quick to express gratitude for the many friends, professionals and family members who supported and encouraged her through what most considered the impossible. She particularly wants to thank her dear friend and animal communicator Maia Kincaid. “But mostly, I thank Cassie for her heart, her love and her determination to not just live, but to return to work. She really wanted her job back,” says Laura among tears of joy. “She’s my miracle mare with the bionic leg. She’s my once-in-a-lifetime.”
Warmbloods Today 67
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