Retired Racehorses

cooperation by learning the animal’s language, called “Equus.”
“For 8,000 years people have failed to understand that horses are trying to talk to us; I’ll be your friend,” Roberts said.
“Good trainers can hear the horse talking to them. Great trainers can hear the little whispers.”
Locally, the program will be led by a student of Roberts, Melody Squier, owner of Forget-Me-Not Farm in Tinmouth,
Vt.
“What really is important is this end piece, this connection,” she said. “It’s pretty phenomenal when it happens. What
we’re looking for is a 50-50 partnership.”
Soldiers are taught the same horse care basics as people just getting involved in the racing industry.
Officials from the Saratoga Springs Naval Support Unit were among those who turned out this week for a briefing at
the Ruggles Road farm, where Saratoga War Horse is headquartered.
Sackatoga Stable managing general partner Jack Knowlton presented Nevins with replica saddle cloths from 2003
Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide. Knowlton also belongs to the New York State Task Force
on Retired Race Horses that will be submitting a report soon on ways to care for older horses.
“This is an exemplary program that has both the human element and horse element involved,” he said. “Hopefully it’s
one that’s going to be beneficial for both.”
And it seems the program is being launched at just the right time. The Steven Spielberg movie “War Horse” is
scheduled to be released in theaters nationwide on Christmas Day, and the stage production of “War Horse” won
worldwide acclaim at London’s Royal Theater before coming to Broadway in New York City.
Nevins and Lane are counting on the upcoming movie’s popularity to generate support for their program.
Former longtime Saratogian photographer and Army veteran Clark Bell, of Saratoga Springs, spent a year in Vietnam
from 1968 to 1969.
“Every war the U.S. has been involved in, people come back damaged,” he said. “They need a way to repair that
damage or treat it. A horse is unconditional. They can be your friend, give you confidence and comfort.”
Soldiers with no experience around horses sometimes make the best students because they come in open-minded,
with no preconceived notions about what to expect. Horses, who naturally respond to leadership, are just as anxious
to develop a bond of mutual respect.
“We have world-class horses helping world-class soldiers,” Nevins said. “This isn’t just a feel-good program. When
you make these connections with a horse it opens you up in ways you never thought possible.”
To view the study “Losing the Battle: The Challenge of Military Suicide,” go to www.cnas.org/losingthebattle.
URL: http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2011/12/03/news/doc4edadbd887c63698968078.prt
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