You never know what's going to happen when you bring kindergartners to meet ex-racehorses. Sometimes they ask about running fast. Sometimes they want to know what horses eat for breakfast. But last November, one brave 5-year-old asked a question that stopped me in my tracks – and ended up teaching all of us something unexpected about learning, laughter, and the magic of honest questions.
Part of the learning session includes a trip to the round corral. There I'll discuss all kinds of cool training concepts as relates to the LOPE horses, racetrack training and overall science. (The round corral, with its circular shape and specific dimensions, is actually a perfect place to demonstrate concepts like centripetal force, momentum, and spatial awareness – all things that both horses and jockeys must master at the racetrack.) And it's a fun opportunity to let the kids run around and get out some energy.
Anyway, as soon as we arrived at the round corral, an earnest 5-year-old gentleman raised his hand. "Yes?" I said. And he asked….drumroll…"Is this where you bring the horses so they can fight?"
Now, it's important not to burst into laughter when the youngest kid musters the courage to ask a question in front of the class.
So, I put my serious face on to ask, "You mean like MMA fighting?" He nodded emphatically.
"No, that's not a good way to teach ex-racehorses how to relax and slow down. Plus we don't want them to fight in general because they don't really understand about rules and not hurting each other. Does that make sense?"
He nodded again, with some relief. The young man thought that maybe we were flinging horses into the round corral to fight for their dinner!
Looking back, I realized how his question perfectly illustrated why our educational program is so important. Many kids, especially those from more developed areas, have never interacted with horses before. Their understanding often comes from movies, video games, or social media – where horses are sometimes portrayed as fierce competitors rather than the sensitive, intelligent athletes they truly are.
These are the moments that make LOPE's mission come alive. When urban kids meet our senior ex-racehorses for the first time, worlds collide in the most wonderful ways. Our horses, who spent years thundering down racetracks, now patiently help students discover everything from physics to veterinary science – and sometimes, they help us grown-ups remember how to see the world through fresh eyes.
Want to help create more of these magical learning moments? Share this story with a friend who needs a smile today. Or better yet, come visit us and meet our not-so-MMA teaching assistants in person! Contact us to set up a visit.
