From Cinema to Stables: A Retired Film Critic’s Heartwarming Horse Rescue with Michael Blowen

Michael Blowen loves “being old.” Those are his words, not mine!  After years as a film critic for the Boston Globe, he snapped. In the middle of an awful movie, he stood up and yelled at the other critics: “How can you endure this?”  Today, he’s so much happier. As the founder of Old Friends, a Thoroughbred aftercare facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, he’s helped turn a modest mom-and-pop operation into a sprawling 236-acre farm with three satellite locations and a herd of over 255 retired former racehorses and breeding stallions.  Retirement, if you can call it that, really suits Michael. He believes age is a free pass to say yes to the fun and no to the dreaded obligations. He’s formed friendships with celebrities like Albert Brooks and Angie Dickson. Every morning, he wakes up with a heart full of gratitude, ready to feed former Kentucky Derby winners. The thrill of it still gives him the chills. This whole thing started because Michael, as a fan of horse racing, wanted to improve his gambling skills. But whoops! He fell in love with horses and has dedicated his life to improving their lives. Listen to Michael. It might improve your life.  00:00-Start 03:06-It Started with Six 07:45-Old Friends 14:54-Mo Rocca & the “Rocca Generians” 18:11-Recovering Movie Critic 23:18-You Can’t Go Back Up the Stretch 27:10-Retirement’s an Odd Word 29:05-About the Horses 34:47-A Page Out of Their Book 40:11-There’s a Horse in Your Living Room 43:37-Adversity is an Asset 46:11-Let’s Take a Shot at This Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices