Sauny Gets a New Lease on Life

by Alida Dettmann, RN, CHTP, Mulino, Oregon

The 11 acres of heaven has become my second home. The relief I find here from the high stress job as a nurse is a lifesaver. People come here to care for their horses, for respite, and for healing. It’s an extended family and includes the 15 horses that live here in their individual pastures that surround the buildings. The horses are always here, always glad to see you, always watching for anything new and interesting. It’s a stable stable in this fast changing, unpredictable world.

Sauny's Story is a Book

"Falling in Love with Sauny" is a new book by Alida Dettmann in which she chronicles the amazing love and life force of this Arabian stallion. A compilation of stories and photos, the book is now available by contacting Alida by e-mail at alida_d@juno.com or LLM Publications at 1-800-647-1511.

“Alida’s stories have captured the essence of Sauny. Friend, confidant, elder, and healer. His antics and connection with humans will sweetly touch your heart.” – Carol Komitor, Founder, Healing Touch for Animals^® and Komitor Healing Method, Inc.

Sauny and Alida It was July in Oregon, and the sun was shining through the leaves of the old apple tree. The white plastic armchairs formed a circle around the apple spattered blue table. Jody and Patty, who board horses here and are part of this extended family, joined me after caring for their horses. Spirits were light as we told our tales about the wonders of our horse’s behavior and the lessons they taught us that day.

The mood was short lived. CJ, the owner of the stable and loving caretaker of the horses, sat down in one of those white plastic chairs with a letter in her hand. She sighed sadly, “It’s about Sauny.”

CJ and her faithful Cody, resident Australian Shepherd, were the only ones that really paid much attention to Sauny. The bay Arabian stallion retired here after a successful show career at the age of 17. He had been trained and brought to championship in Halter, Western Pleasure, English Pleasure, and Driving. The owner, Henry, thought so much of this horse, that after 17 years of service, he retired him to this wonderful place in the country. The expectation was that Sauny would die within a year of two. He was old and Henry just wanted him to be kept comfortable. Henry faithfully paid for the care for 11 years, each year checking to see if the stallion was still alive. He was. The letter said that Henry was retiring and could no longer pay for Sauny’s care. CJ was to have Sauny put down or given away.
We were shocked at this news. It’s true that we didn’t pay a lot attention to the horse. But, he lived here. He was happy, bright, spirited, and healthy. He was part of the family.

Sauny and Carol Komitor Sauny knew that something had changed. The stallion that usually raced the fence watching the mares was now just standing in his paddock. His beautiful brown head drooped in the July sunshine and his eyes were downcast and glazed.

CJ and I worried, “Do horses get depressed? Does he think his days are numbered and that he isn’t wanted anymore?” We asked Jody to talk to Sauny. She is an experienced animal communicator and confirmed our concerns after her conversation with him. She was sure that Sauny wouldn’t make it.

The idea of putting this beautiful horse to sleep was unthinkable for any of us. Several years ago he was moved to another stable and refused to stay there by tearing up the fences. Finding a new owner and moving him to a new place wasn’t an option. What could we do? We wanted to keep him here, and decided to adopt him. We’d share in the cost of care.

Paying for care would take care of the basic needs, but what about the lethargy and depression? My heart said that he needed more. I am a Registered Nurse and a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner. I love to put my hands on the horses and see them relax. I love to put my hands on the horses and feel their strong energy and love. I wanted to start working with Sauny.

Each week, I would walk the gentle bay stallion to the arena. He would roll and groan happily in the soft sawdust. After a few minutes of walk, trot, and canter exercises, I would brush his coat and his beautiful black mane, and then begin working on him, sending the healing energy being focused for his highest good. I had no expectations, just love for the beautiful horse. Every Tuesday Sauny was waiting for me at the door to his shelter, waiting for his treatment and our time together. Some days, he would almost put the halter on himself.

We kept our weekly date for a year when things changed. I had already worked with him that week and was ready to leave for the day. Sauny started banging on the door of his stall. Now, this is common practice for him when it comes close to feeding time, but something was different. It was like he was calling me. “Ok,” I reply. “I’ll take you out.” I fastened the halter on him and led him to the arena.

He stood in the middle of the arena and looked at me. CJ peeked in the half door and asked, “Do you want to ride him?”

“Sure,” I replied.

CJ smiled and said, “I got the idea on Monday that maybe you’d like to do that. I think it was really Sauny”s idea.”

Alida and Sauny It didn’t occur to me that the fact that he hadn’t been ridden in 12 years could be a problem. We cinched the worn English saddle as he stood quietly. I got on. Brown head with sparking dark eyes are at attention immediately. The graying black mane flows along the arched neck. His back is punctuated by the lift of his tail. Strong legs are squarely set on black hooves. There is a light in the arena that wasn’t there before. The human hearts are filled with the glow from Sauny. Our eyes fill with tears. He is proud. He hasn’t forgotten a thing. He wants his rider with him. He is so happy.

Twelve years he had waited. Twelve years no one had ridden him. My heart is soft and I love him. Sauny turned 31 years old July 23, 2002. Happy Birthday, Sauny.