Today is the day I tell you about Dagmar. The story can't be told without including Alma. It also can't be told without starting at the beginning.
In 1991, within a month of each other, two sisters gave birth to daughters of the same father on the spring grass of Nebraska. These leggy beauties were born with baby doll faces, fuzzy golden hair and a noble heritage tracing its linage to the times of the Vikings. Soon a white mane and tail with a distinctive black stripe running from their ears, through the mane down the length of the back ending at the dock of their tail would give the fillies their color designation; brown dun.
Thus began the adventures of Alma and Dagmar, the Norwegian Fjord Horses of One Heart.
By six months of age they had been sold to a gentleman in Iowa and about the time of their first birthday they were again sold to another Iowa family. By the age of six the sisters had arrived in Green Bay, Wisconsin where they worked in a program offering relief, support and therapy to people recovering from cancer.
When Alma and Dagmar were 10 years old we can report that they had been trained to ride and drive. When they turned 10 One Heart was being formed.
One balmy summer evening [the very first riding year of One Heart (in 2002)], damp with humidity, with mosquitoes beginning to fall into formation for attack, a simple question was asked. What does One Heart need? Diana was asking the question of Maureen, the head instructor and co-founder of One Heart, where Diana’s grandchildren enjoyed One Heart’s classes. Diana further suggested that an organization she represented, the Sons of Norway, frequently reached into the community to aid folks and organizations in need of assistance. After all, the Sons were established in 19th century America to do just that – aid newcomers, new immigrants, become established in the community and obtain insurance coverage. The response was instant and forthright. Maureen knew that Norway and therapeutic riding created an equation that could only lead to one logical conclusion – the Norwegian Fjord Horse. Just a year earlier a Norwegian Fjord horse from Washington State had been featured on the cover of Strides Magazine when the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) announced its therapy horse of the year. One Heart Equestrian Therapy needed a Norwegian Fjord horse!
One Heart had been seeking the donation of a short, sturdy, and dependable horse to fill a gap in the herd. What One Heart was missing was a horse of appropriate temperament to carry adult riders, child riders, and heavier riders. One Heart had already researched the cost of obtaining such a horse and found that a very young, inexperienced Norwegian Fjord horse could be found for $3,000 to $3500. This amount seemed insurmountable for a young program totally dependant on donations.
When the first year’s riding concluded the Fall of ’02, One Heart was invited to present a program and demonstration to a local lodge of the Sons of Norway. A&A Horse Sales generously donated the use of their facilities for the demonstration. A regional leader of the Sons of Norway was also in attendance. From the demonstration and education about the qualities of the Norwegian Fjord Horse, the membership of the Kong Sverre Lodge committed to spearheading the project of obtaining a Norwegian Fjord horse for One Heart.
By the fall of 2003 planning was underway to fund the Fjord Horse Project.
A unique and exciting fundraising effort was created using the Story City carousel. Story City graciously granted the use of the carousel and volunteers from the lodge came to run it. Entries came in from across the US to purchase a race horse --- on the carousel! The first ever carousel race was held the first Saturday of May (also Derby Day) of 2004. This trailblazing event featured rides by the Vice President of the International Sons of Norway who came with his wife from Minneapolis and a winning ride by the major of Story City in the “Old Grey Mare” handicap for the mayors of Story County. Races were also held in 2005 and 2006 and the goals of The Fjord Horse Project were reached.
The procurement of the specific animal (s) was left to the discretion of the One Heart. With the help of lodge members who forwarded contacts from around the country, Kris began her search on August 1, 2004. Fourteen emails were sent to all the contacts. A single response came within minutes and seemed to fill the bill. Two registered Norwegian Fjord mares, sisters in fact, broke to ride and drive were available in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The asking price was $6,000 for the team. A bargain for this quality AND the exact amount raised in the first fundraiser. Contrary to advise she would give anyone else, Kris jumped at the chance to purchase this team; sight unseen - over the internet. Alma and Dagmar were soon on their way to One Heart!
Oak Point’s Alma and Oak Point’s Dag the 1991 daughters of Grabbson and the full sisters, Anna and Ester were presented to One Heart Equestrian Therapy by Kong Sverre Lodge members in August 2004.
Thus began the adventures of Alma and Dagmar, the Norwegian Fjord Horses of One Heart.
By six months of age they had been sold to a gentleman in Iowa and about the time of their first birthday they were again sold to another Iowa family. By the age of six the sisters had arrived in Green Bay, Wisconsin where they worked in a program offering relief, support and therapy to people recovering from cancer.
When Alma and Dagmar were 10 years old we can report that they had been trained to ride and drive. When they turned 10 One Heart was being formed.
One balmy summer evening [the very first riding year of One Heart (in 2002)], damp with humidity, with mosquitoes beginning to fall into formation for attack, a simple question was asked. What does One Heart need? Diana was asking the question of Maureen, the head instructor and co-founder of One Heart, where Diana’s grandchildren enjoyed One Heart’s classes. Diana further suggested that an organization she represented, the Sons of Norway, frequently reached into the community to aid folks and organizations in need of assistance. After all, the Sons were established in 19th century America to do just that – aid newcomers, new immigrants, become established in the community and obtain insurance coverage. The response was instant and forthright. Maureen knew that Norway and therapeutic riding created an equation that could only lead to one logical conclusion – the Norwegian Fjord Horse. Just a year earlier a Norwegian Fjord horse from Washington State had been featured on the cover of Strides Magazine when the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) announced its therapy horse of the year. One Heart Equestrian Therapy needed a Norwegian Fjord horse!
One Heart had been seeking the donation of a short, sturdy, and dependable horse to fill a gap in the herd. What One Heart was missing was a horse of appropriate temperament to carry adult riders, child riders, and heavier riders. One Heart had already researched the cost of obtaining such a horse and found that a very young, inexperienced Norwegian Fjord horse could be found for $3,000 to $3500. This amount seemed insurmountable for a young program totally dependant on donations.
When the first year’s riding concluded the Fall of ’02, One Heart was invited to present a program and demonstration to a local lodge of the Sons of Norway. A&A Horse Sales generously donated the use of their facilities for the demonstration. A regional leader of the Sons of Norway was also in attendance. From the demonstration and education about the qualities of the Norwegian Fjord Horse, the membership of the Kong Sverre Lodge committed to spearheading the project of obtaining a Norwegian Fjord horse for One Heart.
By the fall of 2003 planning was underway to fund the Fjord Horse Project.
A unique and exciting fundraising effort was created using the Story City carousel. Story City graciously granted the use of the carousel and volunteers from the lodge came to run it. Entries came in from across the US to purchase a race horse --- on the carousel! The first ever carousel race was held the first Saturday of May (also Derby Day) of 2004. This trailblazing event featured rides by the Vice President of the International Sons of Norway who came with his wife from Minneapolis and a winning ride by the major of Story City in the “Old Grey Mare” handicap for the mayors of Story County. Races were also held in 2005 and 2006 and the goals of The Fjord Horse Project were reached.The procurement of the specific animal (s) was left to the discretion of the One Heart. With the help of lodge members who forwarded contacts from around the country, Kris began her search on August 1, 2004. Fourteen emails were sent to all the contacts. A single response came within minutes and seemed to fill the bill. Two registered Norwegian Fjord mares, sisters in fact, broke to ride and drive were available in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The asking price was $6,000 for the team. A bargain for this quality AND the exact amount raised in the first fundraiser. Contrary to advise she would give anyone else, Kris jumped at the chance to purchase this team; sight unseen - over the internet. Alma and Dagmar were soon on their way to One Heart!
Oak Point’s Alma and Oak Point’s Dag the 1991 daughters of Grabbson and the full sisters, Anna and Ester were presented to One Heart Equestrian Therapy by Kong Sverre Lodge members in August 2004. Alma and Dagmar went right to work. They carried rider after rider both large, small, young and old. They offered therapy to elderly folks wanting to ride down memory lane, youngsters dealing with brain and body disorders, adults living with onset disease such as MS, and people overcoming anxiety disorders. The staff, volunteers, riders and families, in fact, the whole One Heart community came to know and love Daggy and Alma. Both became icons of the therapy community and the Norwegian community. Alma and Dagmar were stars at the 2005 Scandinavian-themed Festival of Lights held by Reiman Gardens.
With the purchase of two wheelchair-adapted vehicles and custom fitted harness after two more years of carousel races, the Norwegian Horse Project was complete. You might notice that we didn’t want to get our carts before the horse (s).
We went on high alert when Alma started having health changes the winter of 2007. Alma was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease and was placed on daily meds. She also had to wear a muzzle to prevent overeating which compounded the disease and her laminitis, a painful, crippling lameness. With supportive care, Alma was able to join us in the arena until May 2008. Her disease worsened suddenly. Following intense treatment and care at home, Alma was euthanized under the compassionate care of our friends [clinicians and students] at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Friends of Alma were still grieving when Dagmar began exhibiting signs of Cushing’s Disease. Dagmar began daily medication and monitoring in the fall of 2008 in an attempt to control this disease. She had already been wearing a muzzle to limit her intake of calories. Daggy was sent to Helen’s rehab stable for intensive hoof care, controlled feeding and medicating in February this year. Dagmar stabilized and worked for Session 1. Despite further efforts to control her disease, Dagmar was euthanized July 2, 2009. I can explain the care and treatment quite simply. I fail to describe the grief and sense of loss that is still felt without Dagmar with us. Our friends at ISU Vet Med again supported us through this decision and with our funeral experience. Dagmar is the only horse I have not been able to accompany to the vet school. I am sure there will be more in the future. There was a personality about both mares, but somehow Daggy became more than a worker, more than a willing partner. She and Alma were both iconic in their presence, heroic in their efforts, and irreplaceable in the roster. There was rarely a client presented that could not be served by Alma or Dagmar in either the riding or driving program.
The Kong Sverre Lodge certainly felt the loss of these two representatives. The loss to One Heart and the personal friends of Dagmar and Alma is heartbreaking. For many of our friends, this is the first time they are learning of Dagmar’s loss.
We of One Heart continue to share the loss of Alma and the recent loss of Dagmar. However, in our optimism we view Dagmar and Alma as a beginning rather than an end. While lives can be
short-lived, legacies carry on. The legacy of Alma and Dagmar are not just a testament to the Sons commitment to their Norwegian ancestry but a continuation of the Norwegian Fjord horse with One Heart. Rosa and Bri, registered Norwegian Fjord mares have also placed their stamp on One Heart. We have influenced many people within the 
Rosa
.. .. ... ... . ... . Bri
1 comment:
Kris you are doing a magnificent job with the blog! I feel like I'm reading a really good book that I don't want to end. I LOVE hearing about the horses and volunteers and all of the behind the scenes action at One Heart. Since we are so new to the family, it's a great way for introductions to be made and to catch up on all we have missed......The Alma and Daggy story was beautiful and amazing. My heart broke a little at the end, but I know that illnesses can not be prevented, just treated, and are just another part of the journey. Make sure you keep writing! I check this every day, just like I check my email (no pressure:) and have my whole family and some friends addicted too! Every one of them has told me the same thing: You need to write a book, and get it published. What stories you would (and do) have to tell!! Anyway you keep blogging and we'll think about your future as best-selling author later :)
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