Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Uncle Smiley — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 01:05:17 GMT

I agree with Lise from Maine.

You write as well about racing as Ramon Dominguez rode.

Consider being Ramon's biographer. The combination of your skills... Something to look foward to.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Steve Haskin — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 05:19:37 GMT

Lise, it is a great website, with some amazing videos -- Saratogawarhorse.org

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Lise from Maine — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 01:09:58 GMT

Steve,

Is there a website regarding the Saratoga Warhorse?

Great story! Love reading these sorts of stories.

Thank you!

Lise from Maine

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Lise from Maine — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 01:07:29 GMT

Hi!

I am so happy to hear that Ramon entered the program.

I hope that he does something positive with this experience, and would love to read about it.

I am sure he can find another job as it relates to horses.

How about writing a book about his life, experiences as a jockey and the after effects of the spill?

Good luck, Ramon!

Lise from Maine

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Steve Haskin — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 23:43:18 GMT

Thank you, Jean, that was very enlightening and fascinating.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Jean in Chicago — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 23:00:37 GMT

Thank you, again, Steve. Mr Nevins is absolutely right about the release of oxytocin having such psychological soothing effects. This is the hormone new mothers release after giving birth and bonding with their babies. It has also been shown to increase greatly in both dogs and their people just from the act of patting the dogs. It makes perfect sense that a horse (or dog) saying 'I trust you completely' would produce the same result as a newborn saying the same thing to its mother, all of them speaking with body language. After all, body language is far older and deeper than any verbal communication and it cuts right through the terrible isolation that many vets must be feeling.

This 'discovery' sounds so logical that years from now people will be saying 'why didn't anyone figure this out sooner?'

Best of luck to Ramon, his family and all others who have been hurt.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Chris M Simonds — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 03:48:04 GMT

Steve,

You continue to inspire me with your work. It is obvious from your blogs over the years that the horse racing community and industry are your passion, but veterans have always been and will always be in your heart. I thank God I had the passion for horses and wish the 4 battle buddies who have taken their life since our time in Ramadi, Iraq had. I thank you for bringing this to the public's attention and hope the donations flow in after this blog, that is truly "Supporting Our Troops." You are a great writer, a great friend and great supporter of Veterans and the organizations that support them. Ramon went to battle almost everyday for us fans and it should only be fitting that he become the poster child for this program.

Chris

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 03:10:58 GMT

Even though I never saw her in the flesh, I have always maintained here that Zenyatta possesses some kind of "healing ability." It is just something I sense about her. It is something intangible, I call it a "keen awareness," others may call it a "look of eagles," it is some kind of quiet resolve about them (thoroughbreds), an unspoken, underlying understanding of us, humans. I can't explain it, it's almost as if we are the superior species, yes, and have been given the gift of speech but they seem to have something or some knowledge over us in a way. I agree, Bill Two, the bond between animal and human is mystical. And if Zenyatta has this quality certainly other thoroughbreds have it within them too. Alex had it in his love and affinity for children, Curlin has it, he looks right through you not at you, etc.

Perhaps Mr. Nevins, in his training of them for this program, consciously or unconsciously develops and brings this quality out more in them. Winston Churchill definitely understood it, Mr. Nevins totally "gets it," Linda in Texas hit on it too believing that thoroughbreds and horses can go through the thought process interacting with us. And she had a great idea about Mr. Nevins franchising this operation to other parts of the country.

The thoroughbreds, as Ramon mostly knew them, are probably a much more intense, more tightly wound animal on the racetrack circuit. What he experienced he had never seen before in the breed so that says something right there about retired or rescued thoroughbreds finding other careers after their racing life is over and how much more they are capable of doing in life.

I am also sending my small donation to the Saratoga Warhorse.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 03:08:20 GMT

I am also sending my small donation to the Saratoga Warhorse.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Bill Two — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 21:55:01 GMT

Wonderful story, Steve. I'm not surprised that the government hasn't embraced this form of therapy, but I am disappointed they haven't tried it. I'm very thankful that Ramon has seemingly benefited from the program and am grateful that the vets have done well there. We obviously need more of these therapy centers. Even hardened criminals have experienced the joy of loving another living thing when working with horses. Churchill was right. There is something mystical about the bond between humans and horses.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Busgrabber — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 14:48:52 GMT

As a tough old-bird Marine out of Vietnam I was choking back tears when I read this column and I thank Mr. Haskin for giving this program the publicity it deserves. I look forward to sending the few bucks I can to help my fellow countrymen. Not all wounds shed blood but all veterans are blood brothers.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Steve Haskin — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 03:55:06 GMT

Beautiful post, Cheryl, thank you. And thanks to everyone for your comments. Abigail, thank you again for those beautiful words. I really appreciate it.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 00:17:28 GMT

Steve what a wonderful piece this is. Saratoga Warhorse sounds like quite an amazing, multi-purposed operation, breathing new life into traumatized war veterans and giving new careers to rescued thoroughbreds. Mr. Nevin's idea is ingenious, yet so incredibly simple in concept. I think it is a proven fact that animals lower blood pressure and make you "feel better." How many of us come home from a rough day at work or a rough day in everyday life in general, and spend time with a pet and feel instantly better? It works, that is therapy in one of it's purest forms, emotional love and bonding. For Mr. Nevins to orchestrate this type "emotional jolt" therapy with the veterans bonding with the horses is brilliant.

I know there are people out there still traumatized from 911 and still not able to work or get their lives back to where they used to be who may benefit from this program as well.

I really like the correlation of jockey/soldier. How many times do we refer to the races as wars? After all this whole TC season we had a war theme going on here. Jockeys risk their lives daily and I think that risk is sometimes overlooked or goes uncredited or is taken for granted within the industry. They are engaging in a type of combat, and like Ramon, may enter a race which may be their last ride out into the sunset. Maybe this program would benefit those jockeys who are seemingly on a downward spiral of drugs and destruction turn their mental perspective around and exit the program with better coping devices to handle their stressful jobs.

This sounds like a wonderful program and Mr. Nevins sounds like an amazing man. And as for Ramon, I am so glad to read he has found purpose again in life. Although we will miss him forever on the racetrack perhaps we will see him in other aspects of the industry or media in the future.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Abigail Anderson — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 21:57:41 GMT

Steve: What a wonderful, wonderful piece. As the daughter a a WWII veteran who clearly suffered from PTSD before it had a name or anyone even knew it existed, I was moved so deeply by Mr. Nevins, as well as Ramon's words. Then I watched the special on HRTV and was stunned by how profound this horse-veteran connection truly is when you can actually see the moment when horse and vet come together. I was in (healing) tears when Butter lowered his head and came forward. Thank you so much for this extra-special narrative of hope and the reminder that horses are as much a part of our culture as the men they carried into battle. Now that our horses need a way to escape feed lots, perhaps the strength of your message will help to save even more lives. I will be sending Saratoga WarHorse a donation along with others here. Steve, you are just so profoundly gifted and that you use these gifts to help make the world a better place for all its creatures is my inspiration.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Davids — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 20:25:12 GMT

Steve, I believe if the non-racing fraternity within the general public were able to read uplifting pieces, such as these,then the image of racing would be cleansed somewhat. I do hope one day that you receive an award for your splendid writing over the decades. Simply marvellous.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Newracingfan — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 20:03:56 GMT

Thanks for telling us about this wonderful program Steve. I am never able to get any HRTV video to actually "work" so was happy to read the vivid picture that you painted here. I hope that they will get lots of donations to keep the program running.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

smarie — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 15:29:06 GMT

This is just incredible, Mr. Haskin. I was unaware of this program and I thank you for writing about it.

There has always been a almost magical bond between horses and humans and this program is reinforcing it. What an amazing thing Mr. Nevins is doing. May God bless them all.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Smoking Baby — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 13:43:59 GMT

OUTSTANDING!!! Way to go Bob Nevins!!! Makin' a difference bro. Thanks for sharing Steve. This is really something special.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Proud Acres — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 11:50:59 GMT

Wow Steve, what a story. What a great way to provide new careers to raced thoroughbreds. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving and have a wonderful Christmas.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Steve Haskin — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 05:25:46 GMT

I appreciate all the comments. Here is a link to send donations or you can go to the website and click on to "Contribute" at top of page saratogawarhorse.com/contribute

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

LINDA MARIE — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 04:30:18 GMT

HORSES RESCUING VETERANS RESCUING HORSES ...AND POSSIBLY A SECOND CAREER FOR RAMON ...BEAUTIFUL!

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Linda in Texas — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 04:10:01 GMT

Steve, just told a friend we know tonight that i truly believe horses talk through their body language and they understand us and that they have to think. So to read this wonderful story about the successful therapy that is being accepted and received by the humans in need of understanding, is just awe inspiring. Dovetailing the good that the treatment is having on those humans needing help is awesome and then to use rescued horses, saving them it just cannot get any better.

This touches me deeply for man and horse. I am but 100 miles from Ft. Hood. We have horses needing homes rather than the usual sad fate so many have. And Fort Hood sends more men off to war than any Fort in the U.S. Everyday the large number of suicides continues and it must be stopped.

To that end, I hope Mr. Nevins will eventually incorporate and get this type of treatment going in many states. And have teaching sessions for those who would love to duplicate his efforts under a franchise set up.

This is another great Thanksgiving Real Story. Thank you Steve.

And Ramon we all love you and stand with you and your family. Just know that.

Linda

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Racingfan — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 03:30:48 GMT

Deltalady,there is a place on their site for donations. What a wonderful program!

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Mary Zinke — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 03:04:13 GMT

I sincerely hope Mr.Aloof reads this blog. I would personally pay for him to attend this type of therapy.

re: Ramon Dominguez and Saratoga WarHorse

Paula Higgins — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 02:52:30 GMT

Another eye opener Steve. I had no idea this program even existed. Animals of all kinds have helped people, particularly children, with emotional challenges/setbacks etc. Dogs especially. Horses have a very special connection to man and it makes perfect sense for them to help those in emotional distress. In London, they have a program for at risk children that teaches the kids how to ride and take care of the horses. Anytime you can bond with an animal, it is a heartwarming/emotional experience. For people who have experienced trauma, even more so. I am glad Ramon was helped in this program. That seems especially right considering his special relationship with horses in the past.