Lazaria and her pupil
Update Story: Lazaria, a mare once so sick she seemed near death, is a children’s hunter/jumper.
Once a bag of bones with a slim shot of surviving the infection that wracked her body, Lazaria regained her health, and a footing on the Texas hunter/jumper circuit, under the care of Lone Star State equestrian Margaret Kennedy.
Kennedy took in the severely sick and malnourished granddaughter of Seattle Slew about three years ago, after the gaunt and infested mare was surrendered to Texas authorities.
The big-hearted equestrian tucked the sickly animal into a stall at her farm, The Silver Lining Training Center, and gently nursed her back to health.
Lazaria recovered from severe infections of the bladder and kidneys, and an infestation of parasites and worms. She was also severely underweight.
“The medical problems she had weren’t worth dying for,” Kennedy says in an August 2011 interview with OffTrackThoroughbreds.com. “This wasn’t a horse who was beyond help, but I knew if somebody didn’t do something soon, she would die.”
After regaining weight and conquering the infections and parasites, Lazaria emerged a new horse!
She learned to trust people again, and has been spending her time winning ribbons with her 10-year-old rider, Mikayla. The youngster is one of Kennedy’s students, and adores the bay.
“Mikayla fell in love with Lazaria while my son Jason was training her, and she took over for him when he went away to college,” Kennedy says. “They’ll be showing together again this season, and Lazaria’s is doing great.”
great story…thank you Susan for what you do!
Thank you so much for bringing her back to health. I really was struck at how beautiful she is. Such a kind face. She is enjoying her new life. It really shows.
Mikayla loves Lizzie! She is super excited for this show season and to continue working with both Margaret Kennedy and the wonderful Lizzie.
WOW – It’s stories like this that renew your faith in your fellow human being.
You go Lizzy keep gaining weight, winning those ribbons and be a happy mare – you go girl!
Liz and I were featured on your blog a couple of years ago. I won high point on her at my first small hunter series.she’s a sweet horse.
Thank you so much for all the work you do Susan. Getting the word out there about these horses hopefully will inspire more people to give these loving animals another chance. We love our Lizzy and thank God she gave us a chance to give her the chance.
Every horse is so precious, Sue, every single one. Thank you for this story!