A certain businessman owned many racehorses. One of the cherished members of his racing stable was a thoroughbred stallion that had been bought at a high price. The name Ammi was given to him.
Ammi was young and lacked experience, but he was swift and handsome. Many betters took note of him and began to show him favor, speaking well of him as he demonstrated his promise and poise. As Ammi moved higher and higher in the rankings, the people praised the businessman for his wisdom in choosing and training the young stallion. But just when Ammi's career was looking better than ever, he was overtaken by misfortune.
During a particularly heated race, Ammi let eagerness blind him to the danger of taking a narrow route through the pack. As he flanked another horse—one with an adversarial spirit—the opponent shoved him sharply. Ammi fell off the track and broke his leg.
The veterinarian who examined Ammi believed that the break was too severe to heal properly. He suggested that the horse be put down. The businessman, however, would not give up on Ammi, and ordered that his horse be rehabilitated. He made sure that Ammi received the best care available. Over time, the prized horse did recover and return to training.
"You are no longer to be called Ammi," said the businessman. "You are now Ammi-Racham, for you have received mercy."
Ammi-Racham ran well for his trainer, and the businessman was confident that the stallion would perform even better than before because the animal had learned a valuable lesson. However, something in the horse changed when he was placed back into a race for the first time since his injury. He became afraid of the other horses and refused to run with them. No matter what the jockey tried, he could not get his mount to compete.
Upon seeing this ill behavior, the businessman asked the trainer to work diligently with Ammi-Racham to restore his confidence. The trainer did as he was asked and attempted many times and in various ways to reintroduce his charge to racing. But Ammi-Racham stubbornly refused to run with any other horses. He was too scared of hurting himself again.
Finally, the businessman gave up trying. He saw that the horse would never fulfill his purpose, therefore he handed Ammi-Racham over to the stable servants and instructed them to load the horse into a trailer for transport.
"I had planned to breed him, but after witnessing his persistent fear I have decided to send him to the slaughterhouse," explained the businessman. "That way I can recover at least some of my expenses."
The veterinarian who examined Ammi believed that the break was too severe to heal properly. He suggested that the horse be put down. The businessman, however, would not give up on Ammi, and ordered that his horse be rehabilitated. He made sure that Ammi received the best care available. Over time, the prized horse did recover and return to training.
"You are no longer to be called Ammi," said the businessman. "You are now Ammi-Racham, for you have received mercy."
Ammi-Racham ran well for his trainer, and the businessman was confident that the stallion would perform even better than before because the animal had learned a valuable lesson. However, something in the horse changed when he was placed back into a race for the first time since his injury. He became afraid of the other horses and refused to run with them. No matter what the jockey tried, he could not get his mount to compete.
Upon seeing this ill behavior, the businessman asked the trainer to work diligently with Ammi-Racham to restore his confidence. The trainer did as he was asked and attempted many times and in various ways to reintroduce his charge to racing. But Ammi-Racham stubbornly refused to run with any other horses. He was too scared of hurting himself again.
Finally, the businessman gave up trying. He saw that the horse would never fulfill his purpose, therefore he handed Ammi-Racham over to the stable servants and instructed them to load the horse into a trailer for transport.
"I had planned to breed him, but after witnessing his persistent fear I have decided to send him to the slaughterhouse," explained the businessman. "That way I can recover at least some of my expenses."
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