The 2003 movie , "Big Spender", starring Casper Van Dien is a fictional film produced by Animal planet. It was inspired by a real-life rehabilitation program sponsored by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. "Big Spender" tells the story of a cocky, stubborn young man named Eddie Burton (Casper Van Dien) who has been consistently been in and out of prison, neglecting his 7 year old son Will, who lives with Eddie's Grandmother. Eddie begins working at the farm with horses thinking it will be an easy alternative to the work he has to di in prison. Little does he know, it will not only be hard work but a life changing experience.

Big Spender is an ex race horse who arrives at the retirement farm shortly at after Eddie. Big Spender is severely underweight, badly neglected and in danger of being put down. Eddie nurses Big Spender back to health, and the two form a bond when Eddie realizes for the first time in his life what it means to be responsible for someone other than himself and how it feels to be dependable. Having learned this lesson Eddie wants nothing more than to get out of prison and gain custody of his 7 year old son Will, but it's not as simple as Eddie thinks. With the guidance of Jake (Graham Greene), the farm hand and the help of Melinda (Tara Spencer-Nairn) Big Spender's former Jockey Eddie manages to give Big Spender a second chance, and by doing so gives himself a second chance.

While the story line was very predictable the acting in the movie was quite excellent. Casper Van Dien does an amazing job at playing a non horse person. The way he moves and talks around the horses is just what I would expect from someone who was not experience with horses. Graham Green does a good job of playing Jake, the farm manager who is quite, serious, and far from friendly. He cares deeply about the horses and the prisoners, especially Big Spender and Eddie but isn't one to show it. Tara Spencer- Nairn, though she has a smaller part in the movies, does a good job. She looks and acts the part of a confident rider, never appearing shy or afraid around the horses. Young Matthew Knight, also does a great job at playing Eddies 7 year old son Will, who is beginning to lose all faith that his father is ever coming home. While the movie certainly has its cheesy moments, I have to say it is one of the better horse movies I have seen. Despite the over dramatic rearing of horses and their constant nickering and whinnying, I have to say the movie was for the most part factually correct and more realistic than the average horse movie. It is a great story that shows us once again how truly amazing horses are and how much they can change our lives for the better.