StephenFine
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Jun 9, 2008, 11:05 AM
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Thinking about Big Brown
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This weekend was the running of the 140th Belmont Stakes and the big colt, Big Brown, was the all out favourite to become the next member of an elite racing club, a Triple Crown winner. I’m the director of a riding camp and equestrian school in Ontario, Canada and our involvement in the world of horses spans over 40 years. At one time, we bred and raced thoroughbreds and as it is part of our history we still follow the major events of the racing world. All the students at our riding camp have heard about the great winners of the past like Secretariat and Seattle Slew. So now they were excited about Big Brown. They wanted him to win. Then they too could be part of the history and excitement associated with the crowning of an equine star.
But, this was not to be. To the shock of everyone Big Brown finished dead last. His jockey, Kent Desormeaux said afterwards, “I had no horse,” and his decision to hold back and leave the race to the others was the story of the day. In that split second at the top of the stretch Desormeaux had to make a choice. To either push Big Brown on and move up in the pack, or to ease back and let him breeze to the finish line. He based his decision on his experience as a professional jockey, Big Brown’s cracked hoof patched with acrylic, and his compassion for animals. What he did took both courage and character and presents the opportunity to grasp the deeper messages underlying the event.
As humans, we all love to love our pets, and horses and ponies are no exception. But do we really hold understanding for these animals or are they just a convenient extension for our own egos? When we ask animals to perform for the purposes of human enterprise they are deserving of our care and respect. This is an important lesson must be learned and is something we strongly emphasize to the young people at our equestrian camp. Big Brown earned care and respect in the same way as the dependable child’s pony does. However, it is imperative that children understand from a young age that animals are worthy of the same degree of compassion and consideration as that accorded to all members of human society.
Yet the foremost lesson of the day is that sometimes we as individuals must learn to put aside our personal goals and aspirations in the interest of a greater good - this is the example that Kent Desormeaux and Big Brown set for us. They are both true heroes, for it is plausible that had Desormeaux pushed Big Brown on they may have won the Triple Crown. Equally plausible is that Big Brown could have suffered a fatal tragedy such as befell Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby a few weeks earlier. But the empathy and judgment of a professional rider assured that Big Brown’s prowess would achieve further deeds of greatness in the future.
There are Big Brown’s at our riding camp. “Heroes,” who give countless children confidence and allows them to build skills to become good solid riders. Dutifully cared for throughout their lives, these horses and ponies have become wise teachers who keep their young riders safe and become their close friend. A good riding camp can offer unique opportunities to teach young people lessons of respect, responsibility and compassion towards animals.
In circumstances somewhat similar to Big Brown’s one of our large ponies developed a crack in his hoof that became very problematic. The situation was one that resulted in his being unable to carry a rider. Our farrier, though unfamiliar with this type of hoof condition, was undaunted. He began a series of experiments with epoxy resins that resulted in the pony’s full recovery. Our riding students and campers were able to observe the hoof repair procedures, recovery process and their favourite pony’s return to daily activity. It was an invaluable experiential lesson that encompassed the aspects of respect, duty of care, challenge and determination. One of the many ways that summer camp experience can promote positive youth development.
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Dr. Stephen Fine is co-owner and co-director of The Hollows Camp and Chair of Educational Research of the Ontario Camping Association
(This post was edited by stephenwinbaum on Jun 20, 2008, 8:16 AM)
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