It’s Wednesday, Hump Day, does it feel a little like that for you this morning? I had a hard time getting to sleep because my previously shattered ankle hurt. A good client of mine did lose her lower leg in a hunting accident. She is an inspiration to me. I often wonder which is better, just having the painful thing removed, or managing the pain. I think, even after a night like last night, I am grateful to still have my own leg, painful or not. Grateful that this morning it feels 100% fine again. Might be the weather. Yesterday was the first day that actually felt like winter. The horses were not terribly interested in doing much, just preserving their energy to stay warm.

Do you ever wonder how wild animals do it? Imagine how they survive bitter, cold winter nights. I marvel at them and take my painful ankle inside my warm house (grateful for that) over the idea of being outside all night. All I can do is offer them as much hay as they can eat so they can generate their own body heat fermenting and digesting. That is, after all, how they stay warm. And why I looked at our remaining hay reserves yesterday and took a little gulp at how quickly the bales are disappearing, knowing that a $7,000 bill is looming sooner than I want to think about to get another load of hay in.

So, instead I focused on learning more about the horses of the Breeder’s Cup, since that is our big fundraiser event this year and happening Saturday. I am so excited! For those that don’t know, the Breeder’s Cup is the World Championships of Horse Racing. The best of the best that have been racing in the UK, Japan, Dubai, France, & Germany, have all flown in this week from around the world to race on Saturday. It is fascinating to see and hear the stories of the horses and their trips. Also to see how the horses are handled a little differently by trainers from different countries. For example, the 14 contenders (yes that’s right, one trainer brought in 14 of the best horses in the world!) from the UK all exercised out on the racetrack for the first time after arriving in California, together! It is a literal parade of some of the most amazing animals you could ever see in your lifetime. Here, we don’t bring them all out on the track as a group together. But that is not unusual over there, and I think it was just wonderful to see them all together getting their first look around at their new surroundings.
And just imagine the whole army of people who come with these groups of elite horses too, to take care of them. One trainer mentioned he was bringing in 40 people. It’s quite a huge operation.

And for all of you who aren't too sure about horse racing, I would just say, having been there myself, and worked on various tracks around the country, in different jobs, the one thing is that, if those horses aren’t happy, they don’t run well, and no body wins. So ‘exploiting’ them for profit is something only said by people who never saw first hand what goes in to getting those horses ready. All the winnings goes to owners cheering from the stands. Not the grooms and exercise riders who get up 7 days a week at 4 am, and work often 12 hour days, not because of the pay, but for the love of the horse. Yes of course there are a few bad actors. But rules and protections for the horses are increasing all the time.

So if you are not sure what to think, I want to invite you to join me for an afternoon behind the scenes of the track and ask me every question about everything you see. Remember it’s not just about the horses. It’s about the hundreds of men and women, who love their job, and how much less joy would there be in this world, without the magnificent Thoroughbred racehorse for us to marvel at its beauty, strength, determination, and grit, all wrapped up in 1000 pounds of heart pounding muscle, and fueled by a kind, beautiful heart. There is nothing quite like a Thoroughbred racehorse. And I am glad each and every day I have had the privilege of being able to even lay my hands on one of these amazing animals.

I hope you will join me at our event this Saturday, the sign up is here https://www.resqranch.org/breeders-cup-signup. And if you can’t make it, would you at least consider donating to us and help us give a forever home to these animals when they retire https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Resqranch

Today I am grateful for horseracing, racehorses, the people who sacrifice so much of their lives to make it happen, my own leg, and you for reading, and for being one of the Animal Loving Angels of the world.

​So, be kind to yourself today, the animals need you! What is your positive affirmation for the day that you need to hear? Is it that I am doing ok just as I am? That you are enough? Because, you are. So give someone who needs it a hug today, or just reach out and touch their arm. The human connection will do you so much good. Wishing you all the best on this beautiful Wednesday!


​​​​​​​Check out my YouTube channel for a daily "Good Morning!" from the rescues and lots of free tips and training resources. https://www.youtube.com/@the1drq