BY LYDIA CHANDLER
Some horses reach greatness out in the show ring, soaring to new heights and fast times. But in this fast-paced, competitive sport, we can sometimes lose sight of the other ways horses can do great things.
Twelve years ago, Alexis Torre, a veterinarian and competitive equestrian, bred her heart horse to the renowned stallion Flexible, with the hopes of raising and training her next big competition horse. The colt, Funkmaster Flex, was very quiet and easy, a “surfer dude” type from the day he was born, despite remaining a stallion. She started him herself, and training proceeded smoothly until the age of six, when he suffered a tooth infection. After taking time off to heal, Funkmaster started his jumper training in Florida. By the time he was nine, he was winning over 1.15 to 1.20 meter tracks, and he just kept getting better as the jumps got bigger.
Despite the apparent success of her homebred, Alexis couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off in his jaw and skull area. One day he would go amazingly, and the next day he would be spooky and strange, as if something was bothering him. Alexis pulled him out of training, doing full workups on him to discover the problem. Eventually, a CT scan revealed some TMJ and neck issues. Her plan had always been to live in Florida until Funkmaster was ready to retire, then move to Kentucky with him. When it started to seem like Funkmaster would never truly be happy as a competitive jumper, Alexis enacted the plan early, starting the next chapter of their lives in Kentucky.
Alexis says, with conviction, that “things happen the way they are supposed to happen.” One night, after moving to Kentucky, she was out walking her dogs when she was randomly struck by an idea: take Funkmaster to a nursing home. Her grandfather, who she had been very close to, had recently passed away, and she believes he inspired this thought in her.
Unafraid of the new path in front of her, she made arrangements to take Funkmaster to a local nursing home. Her friends and family had their doubts about this project, especially considering the safety concerns, but she had complete faith in him. She describes him as “such a kind, generous, very deep, soulful horse.” Not everyone would feel comfortable bringing their stallion into such a difficult environment, but she put her trust in him, and the nursing home visit went flawlessly.
After the success of Funkmaster’s first visit, Alexis went looking for opportunities for her horse to follow his new calling as a sort of therapy horse. She started taking him to The Home of the Innocents, a children’s home and orphanage in downtown Louisville for children with complex medical conditions. When the kids see him, “they just light up,” she explains. She drives him into downtown Louisville, where he meets the kids in his halter, completely unfazed as they surround him. He is not spooked by wheelchairs, beds, or oxygen tanks. He allows the kids to pet him, kiss him, and snuggle him, even grooming and nuzzling them. Alexis says that despite not being trained for this job, this is who he is. He feels right at home amongst the children, and knows exactly how to behave.
When he is with the kids, Alexis describes how Funkmaster truly communicates with them. Without words, he brings them joy, happiness, and comfort. She says you can even see their heart rates going down on their medical monitors. He always seems to know which kids need him the most, focusing his attention on the ones who had a rough day. Alexis acknowledges the staff and volunteers at the home for helping her bring Funkmaster to the kids. Even though it is extra work for them, they love having him, and they can really see how great he is for the kids. Alongside Alexis, they are in awe of his kindness. The children adore Funkmaster. They hang pictures of him up in their rooms, and Alexis raised enough money to give each of the children a custom stuffed Funkmaster, so they can each keep a reminder of him with them.
Alexis hired an animal communicator, just the day before I spoke with her, who solidified all of her beliefs in Funkmaster and his therapeutic abilities. The animal communicator relayed that Funkmaster sees “his breath as magic.” It is his method of communication with the kids. Though they cannot speak to each other with words, there are stronger, more soulful depths to their communication. He wants the kids to feel their abilities, their strengths, and feel worthy. He sees them and values them, and his acknowledgement makes them feel complete. Funkmaster insists he is not the only horse with “magic breath”, and that “there are other horses out there who want to do this.”
Since embarking on this new journey with Funkmaster, Alexis says, “life is deeper and richer and more meaningful now than it ever was.” Even though she did not end up staying in Florida and competing, she found an even more rewarding path by letting her horse show her the way. She has developed a new kind of partnership with him, one outside of the saddle. She helps guide him around the kids, and he won’t even move his feet until she tells him to, recognizing the importance of staying still. Funkmaster’s relationship with the children at The Home of the Innocents reminds us of the special, spiritual bond between horses and people. Their story encourages everyone to do something positive in their life, see how far a horse’s magic can go, and share the wonder these animals instill in all of us.
Lydia Chandler recently graduated from Villanova University with a BA in English and a minor in Economics. She is spending her summer as an intern for The Plaid Horse, as well as showing in the Amateur Hunters with her horses.
