In Montana I have found when you are asked to babysit it could be for almost anything. Over the weekend I was asked to babysit Lucy because she needed to be fed every 4 hours. No problem, I can handle that. Lucy is an orphaned calf who thinks anyone who comes with that bottle is pretty darn special. As you can see by the photos Lucy loves her food and is a very happy gal. She gets lots of love and is happy in her small world. She will be with the herd when she is big enough, but for now she needs special attention. She will forever be a bumb, and most likely love humans. That seems to be her tempermant. No great wisdom here, just a whole lot of love wrapped up in a calf body. Lucy isn’t be-moaning her situation. She lives the day and the moment, and is happy. I sat with Lucy for awhile during our feedings just hanging out and in my form meditating and just being. Thanks Lucy.
Race Horse Reclaim Thoroughbred Rescue is located in Hot Springs Ar. That is where this week’s interview finds us talking with Deb Adams Garland, who along with her husband Dr Wayne Garland, a famed naturopathic physician, founded Race Horse Reclaim Thoroughbred Rescue. After a 35 yr international riding career as a Grand Prix Dressage rider for the United States, as well as competing training, and teaching classical dressage, Deb has turned her attention to her first love Thoroughbreds. In her early career she did not have access to the Warmbloods that are available today to dressage riders. Consequently she rode ex-race horses. Thus began her life long relationship with this noble breed. Deb’s vision grew through the years as she experienced firsthand the effects the racing industry leaves on the breed. Her vision to help these horses of her passion became real with the purchase, in early 2008, of the property that now houses the rescue.
Prior to any interview I introduce myself to the animals that will be involved, and ask if they would like to participate. I instantly backed away. These horses had no reason to trust a stranger. I began the interview with Deb telling her what I had experienced. She was not surprised by their reaction and told me they are reserved with strangers. Deb and I spoke for a few minutes about her career and her love of her horses. I did not yet address the horses directly.
After about 15 minutes one of the horses began to make her presence known. She had seen the interview was meant to shed light on the dark side of “The Sport of Kings.” Her name is Joy, and she is five years old. She had raced extensively, until an injury ended her career. Her future would have been bleak had she not come to know Deb Adams Garland. Joy had come to the farm full of anger. She had learned to be tough to survive in the world of racing. She had seen other horses whose minds and hearts and bodies had been destroyed by greed. She had been treated like a piece of equipment, and it fed her anger. She said she had met a few people who had tried to be kind, but they were few and far between.
Joy broke down physically, because she broke down emotionally. She shared that the respect that Deb and Wayne have for the horses has “helped pave the way back for me, and for the others. Deb has always treated me with respect and has been happy with what I could do, not at what I couldn’t because my anger was too big. I knew it was different here. I just couldn’t let go of my anger it had kept me safe. But they were kind and began to show me I had choices. They taught me to begin to learn how to meet them half way. To have respect for myself again. And for it to be OK to show them who I was inside.”
Joy had been worn down and tired, on all levels, when she came to the farm. The physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of her have begun the healing process. Love and kindness are no longer foreign, or frightening to this being known as “Joy.”
I asked Joy “What would you like to tell people in closing?”
“People are beginning to become aware outside of the racing world, I know that now. Recognition and awakening come slow when all we see is our anger. Listen to the heart of those like Deb. Listen to your own heart. I am beginning to know mine.
Treated with respect, we love to run. We will be in your world.” Joy then left us with a statement that is profound and will linger with me, and hopefully spread to others “It is time to begin to understand the heart of it all.”
Deb and I fell silent, absorbing what Joy had left us with. I thanked, through Deb, the other horses for trusting themselves.
Thank You Deb and Wayne for the work you are doing for this noble breed.
For more information go to http://www.racehorsereclaim.com/ to see how you can support the rescue.
TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!
The tele-series “The Evolution of Animal Health Care” finally starts. Dr Christina chambreau D.V.M will be lecturing on Animal Health - 7 Keys To Health And Longevity. She will be taking questions at the end of the talk. Dr Chambreau will also be lecturing August 30th on Cured For Life - Possible with Homeopathy. Please sign up at www.thegentleknowledge.com
July 2nd
6PM Mountain Time
“What Are The Animals Whispering In Your Heart?” a Free Tele-class
712-432-3100
access code 871332
Due to computer difficulties I was not able to get a sign in form ready in time so I am just giving the # to anyone who would like to attend. The call will be taped and available at www.freedomreinsllc.com on The Gentle Knowledge Page. For pre class questions please e-mail with your request and I will send them on to you asap. freedomreins@earthlink.net
Sunday Morning Interview With The Animals
will find us in Hot Springs Arkansas at www.racehorsereclaim.com Join us for wisdom and inspiration from a wonderful group of individuals and horses.
I am blessed to be able to go out and say goodmorning, hug my horses and let them out for breakfast. I am even a hero to the chickens showing up to give them some breakfast and let them out. Gone are the days they didn’t mind hanging out with me. Kids, they grow so fast. The chickens do keep me in the moment. It is all about what is happening in the moment. Not once have I gone out there and heard “Hey Karen, so what do you think the stock market is going to do today?”
Thank God!
