Hindsight Is 20/20: Reflections on Derby Day
My father, Ed Stevens, was a charismatic, larger-than-life man who built Rocketts Mill Farm one pasture, one road, one barn at a time—the same way we built Catskill Animal Sanctuary. In its heyday (the 1980’s and 90’s), Rocketts Mill was one of the East Coast’s leading thoroughbred breeding and training farms, and to say that my childhood was magical in many ways is an understatement. What animal lover wouldn’t want to grow up in a place where pastures filled with horses and barn lofts filled with sweet-smelling hay were her playgrounds? Not that it was perfect, mind you: my parents’ marriage wasn’t happy; my mom drank. Still: Horses. 300 acres. Just sayin’.
In the thoroughbred industry, our farm was one of the “good ones.” Dad’s standards of care were high: the stall were large, the bedding generous, the pastures lush, rolling, and enormous. The horses in training got a rest day on Sundays, and Dad had a zero-tolerance policy towards abusive behavior: any employee who mistreated an animal was fired on the spot.
It never occurred to me to question whether the horses bred and trained at Rocketts Mill were happy. As far as my child’s mind could comprehend, they certainly were. But what if someone older and wiser had asked me whether Rocketts Mill should exist at all? Whether it was ethically justifiable to subject horse after horse to the common industry practices of confinement to a stall for 23 hours a day, training beginning at 18 months, when horses don’t physically mature until five or six, doping to mask pain and injury, whipping to encourage faster running (my Dad didn’t consider this abuse), accepting training and track deaths—by the thousands—as an inevitable part of the “sport,” and finally, slaughtering tens of thousands of unwanteds—the ones unable to make it to the track, the ones who don’t win, the ones who break down, the ones whose racing careers are finished but who aren’t “good enough” to be turned into breeding machines to produce the next generation, etc.—whether it was justifiable, in other words, to use them for our benefit without regard for their well-being, which is what we humans do with most other species on the planet? I would have marched my young self to the barn office and said a ten-year-old’s version of, “Houston, we’ve got a problem.”*
A Day in the Life, Herd Around The Barn
Tagsanimal rescue, animal sanctuary, derbyday, derbyday2019, horse rescue, horseracing, horses, kentuckyderby, racing
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This is beautiful Kathy, and I’m so happy that you shared your story. I grew up in a family who loved thoroughbred racing. As a young child I used to love to visit the paddocks to see the horses, and play with the foals in the Spring. Little did I know what these horses lives would become. As I grew, so did my love and devotion to animals. However, I watched horse races on TV, because my family told me that this was the “sport of kings”, and that these horses were lucky to be race horses, who loved to run. I never questioned that until I saw Ruffian break down. That left such an indelible mark on me that I have never watched or attended another race. I pray that some day, humanity will stop abusing and killing animals for food and sport.
Indeed, Tara…little do we know. The dark side remains a well-kept secret: check out Horseracing Wrongs for helpful info and to get involved in the effort to end this industry.
Kathy,
Thank you for your beautiful story. With my childhood being not much different from yours, this story and your mission gives me strength.
Strength needed so I can also carry a bit of the weight. Everybody needs roll-models in their life and you are definitely a big one for me.
What a great job you are doing, every day! A true inspiration.
Lonneke–Thanks for your kind words. It sounds as if you, too, are a role model for others trying to align their daily choices with their values. Thank you and onward!
Kathy, as always, thank you for these words and standing strong in your convictions. I will be sharing again!!
What an insightful reflection on Derby Day! It’s fascinating to read about the behind-the-scenes moments and the emotional journey of the horses and their caretakers. As we delve into the highs and lows of the day, it raises the question of how horse calming supplements could potentially support these magnificent animals during such high-pressure events. Considering the well-being and comfort of the horses is paramount, and exploring the role of calming supplements in ensuring their tranquility and focus adds another layer of depth to the Derby Day narrative. Thank you for sharing these poignant insights and prompting us to contemplate the holistic care of these incredible athletes.