The American Saddlebred: 3/16/2019 Happy 25th Birthday Loretta!

Today is a special post celebrating my mare Loretta's 25th birthday. Loretta was purchased from her breeder when she was 13 years old, and for the last 12 years has been the Queen of our barn. It is a justly deserved title and one she relishes. Loretta came from a family of show horses since her sire is CH Albelarm Supremacy, he by Supreme Sultan and out of CH Enticing Lady. Her dam, Summer Lights, was also a show mare and was sired by Sandalwood Supreme. In her day, Loretta was a decent show mare, winning a few blue ribbons, and even placing in a very large class at Lexington.

She came to me as a broodmare, but she has also been used as a trail horse, pony ride extraordinaire and beauty queen. She has never met a piece of food she didn't love, and although her body has undergone some changes due to time, gravity and Cushing's, she still has the loveliest face ever. Loretta pushes her pasture mate around, even though she's at least a hand shorter, and many years older. Her stall manners are perfect, until she hears the hay bale rustling, then a well placed kick on her stall door reminds me that she must be fed first.

Recently, I read a post about an older horse that passed away, and the owner exclaimed that she had never had to body clip this horse in all her life. Loretta has always grown a luxurious winter coat, but the past few winters she has outdone herself and actually peels rather than sheds. Finally when we can't stand it any longer, out come the clippers. She looks a lot like a wooly mammoth, and due to her pride, no pictures of her are allowed until clipped!

Here are some pictures of Loretta through the years. Please join me in wishing her a very happy birthday!