By Clark Shepherd
In a time when true horsemanship is increasingly considered a lost art, and our industry faces a barrage of criticism and skepticism, Frank Taylor's Stable Recovery initiative shines as a beacon of what can be accomplished. This program is not just a cutting-edge approach to addiction recovery; it is a call to arms for an industry that needs both positive PR and meaningful solutions to real-world challenges.
True Horsemanship: The Heart of Stable Recovery
What stands out about Stable Recovery is its focus on horsemanship as a cornerstone of recovery. Horsemanship is an invaluable skill that is slipping through the cracks in our industry. Frank Taylor's initiative serves as an antidote to this trend, emphasizing the healing power of horses and the importance of caring for them in a way that honors their role in our lives and our industry.
The Power of the Horse in Healing
The industry has long understood the untapped potential for horses to heal the human spirit. Stable Recovery takes this one step further by incorporating addiction recovery into daily life on a Thoroughbred farm. Frank Taylor's insight into the “secret sauce” of combining horse care with a 12-step program exemplifies the symbiotic relationship between horsemanship and healing.
Stable Recovery | Stable Recovery
Two-Fold Impact: On People and Industry
Stable Recovery is not only a compassionate endeavor; it is a strategic workforce development for our industry. Participants become not just architects of their recovery, but valuable contributors to an industry that urgently needs passionate, skilled workers.
Our Responsibility to Scale
Programs like Stable Recovery should not be anomalies; they should be models for what our industry can achieve on a larger scale. Frank Taylor envisions a future where more Kentucky thoroughbred farms embrace similar initiatives. Here is where the rest of the industry can make a significant impact.
Actionable Steps:
- Investment: Financial backing from within the industry can help expand the reach of programs like Stable Recovery.
- Collaboration and Sponsorship: Involve other key industry players in partnerships to extend these programs' resources and scope.
- Spread Awareness: Leverage media platforms to make these initiatives well known and well understood.
A Challenge to Fans and Stakeholders
To fans and stakeholders alike, your role is indispensable. Social media advocacy, financial support, and open dialogue about the importance of such programs can propel them into mainstream consciousness.
Conclusion
The Thoroughbred industry has a unique opportunity to not only change its social narrative, but also to lead in transformative programs that benefit both humans and horses. Frank Taylor's Stable Recovery is proof that we can simultaneously resurrect true horsemanship while healing lives.
Let us be part of this impactful change, one horse and one healed soul at a time. God Bless!
–Clark Shepherd is the principal of Shepherd Equine Advisers, Inc.
Editor's Note: To sign up for or sponsor an item in the John Hall Memorial Golf Scramble, click here. To make a donation to Stable Recovery, click here. To learn more, visit stablerecovery.net
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