On Aftercare: Do The Right Thing

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When in doubt, do the right thing.

For his entire life, it seems that Fuhrious Warrior (Langfuhr) was destined to bring people together. As a racehorse, he attracted a following across the U.S. inspired by his name, its meaning, and how he embodied that name in his racing style. Now, in ACTT Naturally's programs for veterans and their families, he is a shining example of Thoroughbreds excelling in equine-assisted healing programs.

“He is game as a lion no matter the surface,” said managing partner William Martin, quoting trainer Thomas Morley.

Fuhrious is one of only a select few horses raced by Martin and some close friends. Martin is a retired United States Army General and a highly sought-after business consultant who spent most of his adult life serving the United States in strategic operations at the highest levels of the military.

Martin was raised in Watervliet, N.Y. in a house where patriotism and service to your country were first and foremost. When his parents bought a camp on Saratoga Lake, Martin met people who owned and worked with racehorses. Their passion for horses left an indelible impression on him as a young man.

After graduating from La Salle Institute, Martin enrolled in the ROTC program at Siena College and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was a Paratrooper, a Ranger and is a combat veteran.

While at the Pentagon, Martin worked within the Army Initiatives Group, a think-tank that focused on improving the Army on and off the battlefield. Martin was appointed as the Deputy to New York's Adjutant General, the de facto commander of the state's military forces, including the National Guard, the Naval Militia and state defense forces, overseeing a 24,000-member military organization with a budget in excess of 400 million dollars. During this service, Martin was selected for the prestigious Governor Alfred E. Smith Award by the American Society for Public Administration, the only military recipient in the 60-year history of the award.

During his military career, Martin worked under General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, first as a company commander, then as a strategic analyst and speechwriter, and finally as an operations officer in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment during the first Gulf War. Watching Schwarzkopf navigate the political/strategic environment of Washington and the operational challenges of leading Operation Desert Storm, Martin developed an insight into what made Schwarzkopf an effective leader: he had a talent for helping people to see what they needed to do as well as inspiring them to believe they could do it. This model has guided Martin throughout his career.

What is it about Thoroughbreds and racing that caught the attention of someone as accomplished and focused as William Martin? Martin never forgot the energy and passion of the people in horse racing. Through his friend John Hicks, he met the two-year-old colt who would become Fuhrious Warrior, a horse that has struck a chord with everyone who has come to know him.

Fuhrious Warrior ran 33 races and hit the board 13 times. It was his heart and willingness to try to the end, even through adverse conditions and an early breathing problem, that endeared him to trainers and riders especially Laura Tilbury. “Tils” was an integral part of Fuhrious Warrior's life plan after racing.

“I care about every horse I ride but certain ones really have an impact on you,” recalled Tilbury. “Fuhrious and I really connected. I told Bill that I would always be there for him to be sure that he had a good home.”

“I loved how much Bill and the partners cared,” added Tilbury. “Bill showed up days ahead no matter where Fuhrious was racing and would spend time at the barn every day before and after the race. One time after we arrived at Laurel, Fuhrious was in his stall all day with his head in the back corner. Then, suddenly, he was at the front, head out, ears up. I called Bill and asked where he was. He said he had just gotten to the track and I laughed. Fuhrious knew he was in the area.”

Trainer Jordan Blair recalled the positive influence Fuhrious and Martin and his partners had on his stable and his life.

“It was all about the horse and the journey,” says Blair. “We struggled to find races that fit his conditions but would not put him at risk of getting claimed. But no one ever complained because they just enjoyed being a part of owning Fuhrious Warrior.”

“We made friends for life in Martin and the partners,” added Blair. “Meeting them changed my life for the better.”

It was Tils who introduced Martin to Valerie Buck of ACTT Naturally. ACTT Naturally retrains Thoroughbreds and partners them with combat veterans and others allowing them to connect with horses in a therapeutic way.

Fuhrious left the track for good in July 2018.

“The decision to retire him, in spite of results good enough to warrant more racing, wasn't hard,” said Martin. “I heard General Schwarzkopf in my head saying: When in doubt, do the right thing.”

Fuhrious is now with ACTT Naturally and lives at Long Shadows Farm in Cambridge, N.Y. Long Shadows is home to a number of retired and rescued horses and healing programs for people. Fuhrious has already begun participating in the Hearts in Harmony Program for Veterans and their families, as well as women and teens in need of equine-assisted coaching and healing.

“I first met Fuhrious Warrior at Saratoga racecourse when he was two or three years old. His exercise rider and my good friend, Tils, asked me to come and meet him,” recalled Valerie Buck, founder of ACTT Naturally. “He was beautiful and he also had the eye and confidence that touch us on a deeper level.”

“Over the years, I would get updates from Tils and she introduced me to his proud team of owners,” added Buck. “Bill Martin stayed in touch and made the call this summer that he was ready come to ACTT Naturally. The presence of Bill and Fuhrious have been a gift in many ways bringing new energy, awareness and support for our veterans' programs.”

Furious Warrior acclimated faster than most horses to the job of being calm, kind and patient while volunteers, veterans and others who have no experience with horses learn to connect and be close to them.

“Patience, love and kindness are what we live by at ACTT Naturally,” added Buck. “Fuhrious was adoringly dubbed Fuzzy Warrior as we watched his demeanor quickly go from race-ready to relaxed.”

Throughout Martin's decorated career as a team leader and teacher of leadership, he credits positive energy and connection among team members as the glue that keeps a team together fueling success and satisfaction. The energy around Fuhrious Warrior and his fans showed Martin how a horse and its energy could inspire greatness in people. That Fuhrious Warrior could retire from racing and start his journey helping veterans and people in need is the perfect road for his team to travel.

“Much credit needs to be given to all my partners and our trainers who have selflessly and generously enabled this horse to fulfill the very special place and purpose he has on this earth,” said Martin. “We always knew he was something very special and that his calling would transcend racing. We knew it was his destiny to bring out the best in people and unite them as one. So when the 'universe spoke to us', all unanimously were excited, relieved, and thankful that we would be successful in answering the higher call.”

“Fuhrious Warrior was a fierce competitor, who never quit regardless of situation, circumstance, or adversity. My hope is that this same doggedness, diligence, and determination will somehow be transferred to veterans and others as they come together with him and develop relationships, bonds, and trust.”

Diana Pikulski is the editor of the Thoroughbred Adoption Network. For more information on ACTT Naturally, visit www.acttnaturally.org or www.longshadowshorses.