Preakness - Barbaro - OMG!!!

[CheshireVal]

It is pretty low to mock people's emotions, especially when they are obviously genuinely sad about something.

Why would you do that?

 

[Virgo10]

It is pretty low to mock people's emotions, especially when they are obviously genuinely sad about something.

Why would you do that?

Maybe there's something in the water up in bean town. I had the exact same thing said to me yesterday by a relative who lives up there. I was speechless. I guess it comes down to people who look at animals as property and something to be ruled over verses those who accept them into our families to love and cherish.

 

[crazymomof4]

Why grieve over an animal? After all it's not like he was HUMAN!

Not that we need to defend ourselves but I thought I'd post these clips from an article I read because it was so beautifully said!

"We could have used a happy ending for Barbaro, given some of the Gilded Age characters who parade safely through public life into retirement. His survival seemed like one good thing, a balm for foreign wars, domestic deceit, and the bimbo cocktail party circuit, ruthless wealth-swappage, and cross-entouraging that we lately call American culture.
Barbaro was an honest, blameless competitor. Our ridiculously soft feeling for him was based at least partly on that fact. Unlike so many people in the sports pages, he was neither felonious, nor neurotic. He let us place burdens on him, whether a saddle, a bet, or a leg brace, and he carried them willingly, even jauntily................................
There have been continual attempts to analyze why Barbaro's fight to survive so captivated the public, but maybe it's fairly simple: He had both innocence and greatness and it's not often you find those ephemeral qualities alive in the same creature. What's more, anyone who watched Barbaro run in the Derby felt that they saw traces of a distinct character: He was winsome. This gave his suffering specificity. We felt we knew him.
Possibly, this is anthropomorphic, and some have rightly pointed out that we should care as much about human beings. But it's not anthropomorphic to say that horses are irreproachably benevolent creatures, and this is surely one of the causes of our grief over Barbaro. It's a fact that of 4,000-odd animal species, only a very few are tame-able, none more so than horses. They are peaceful grazers by nature, and willing by disposition. Despite their considerable size advantage, they tolerate us and even bear burdens for us. While thoroughbreds can certainly be fearsome, their misbehavior is a flight response, not sadism, or outlawry. They have followed us, and favored us with their gifts to an extent that few other animals do, and partnered with us throughout history, from Persia to the Pony Express. "Gallant" is a word often applied to them, and it's apt.
Barbaro seems to have had all the virtues of his breed, and a few more besides. His character wasn't a matter of wishful projection, it existed, and was quite vivid to those who cared for him. "

 

[wdwmom2]

Did anyone near Boston listen to the Big-Show on WEEI today????? They touched on this subject and put it into perspective. IT WAS A HORSE!!!! Thats all......not someones mother, or sister or aunt....a HORSE!!!!!! C'mon people......Horse breaks leg, gets put down.....GET NEW HORSE!!!!!

I have never flamed anyone on these boards in my life, and I am not going to start now. But I will tell you that this kind of lack of compassion for one of God's living creatures who gave everything he had and ended up giving his life for it, I find it horrendous . It's just sad, sad, sad!!!!

 

[CheshireVal]

I thought this was a really nice article explaining the phenomenon.


But he’s Barbaro

February 01, 2007

“He's a horse — one of our patients — but he's Barbaro, and he won the Derby ... and I need to make sure he makes it through the night.” — Barbaro's nurse, Jamie DeFazio

AMDEN, S.C. — In a week that saw Jane Fonda bashing Bush and couldabeen-president John Kerry ragging on America, it took a real stud to rivet our attention.

Barbaro, the champion racehorse who captured America's heart, finally lost the fight and was euthanized. By the outpouring of condolences and attention, you'd have thought Dale Earnhardt had died.

What was it about that horse? It is a reasonable question to ask.

Our fixation on Barbaro began during the 2006 Kentucky Derby, where the colt won by six and a half lengths. Just moments into the Preakness Stakes, which many expected him to win, he shattered his right rear leg.

It was a catastrophic injury that would have resulted in most horses being euthanized on the spot. But Barbaro was special, not least in his ability to inspire humans.

Thousands if not millions followed his ordeal at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. Bloggers posted daily reports on Barbaro's progress; media trucks kept vigil in the parking lot; friends and strangers sent gifts, letters, e-mails and prayers.

A trust fund in his name grew to $1.2 million by the time Barbaro died. New Bolton Center doctors say the money will be used for new equipment, treatment and cures.

All this, you say, for a horse? Somebody's horse wins the Kentucky Derby each year. Horses are euthanized every day. Another race, another horse, another broken leg.

How is it that in a time of terror and war, so many could become so emotionally invested in a horse? Maybe the better question is, how could they not?

Here in steeplechase country, where signs forbid horses on sidewalks, it is not hard to find people who speak “Horse.”

One friend I spoke to had been sitting close to the track when Barbaro fell. She learned from Barbaro's ambulance driver that people had stopped on interstate overpasses and held signs wishing the champ Godspeed.

“I've never seen anything like it,” she said, sniffling.

“I don't cry about my own horses, but Barbaro fought so doggone hard. He really wanted to live.”

It was Barbaro's spirit, apparently contagious, that attracted crowds. Sick and injured people said they found inspiration in the colt who wouldn't quit. His fight became their fight.

Another local couple in the horse-breeding business recalled a time several years ago when one of their thoroughbreds fell ill. Thousands of people sent e-mails, while strangers called just to talk.

Everybody, it seems, has some connection to a horse, whether from childhood or heritage. We've been interacting with horses on some level since about 4,000 B.C., when we mostly ate them. Then we noticed that horses were also handy with carts, wagons, chariots and plows. Horses have been patient with our evolution.

Now we admire them, write books and make movies about them. Most children can't wait to ride a horse, and girls emerge from the womb demanding one. Not getting a pony has become a metaphor for childhood disappointment.

I didn't get my pony either.

On another level, Barbaro may have been the right horse at the right time. Americans love a champion, a winner, a striver. We identify ourselves by those lights. But since Sept. 11, 2001, we are plagued with doubt, anxiety and no small fear that we may not win this race against evil. Here to remind us of our weak resolve in that struggle are Fonda and Kerry, whose headlines collided with Barbaro's.

Fonda, who has never met a war she could get behind, showed up on the National Mall to protest the “mean-spirited, vengeful” Bush administration. Kerry showed up at an economic forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he couldn't find anything good to say about the nation he once meant to lead.

No wonder we fell in love with a horse.

A country driven mad by partisanship found common cause in Barbaro — an utterly neutral reservoir of hope, beauty and determination. For a while, we were all in the race with a champion, and, for a while, we were champions, too.

KATHLEEN PARKER

 

[crazymomof4]

“He's a horse — one of our patients — but he's Barbaro, and he won the Derby ... and I need to make sure he makes it through the night.” — Barbaro's nurse, Jamie DeFazio
[/I]

I wasn't going to cry today, but THAT got me!

.

 

[crazymomof4]

Latest pictures of Barbaro's [full] baby brother within the last day.

From the photographer: "he was classy as could be when we took these photos this morning.......he stood and posed straight away and did not want to move from the camera...........he think's he's it!"

OK- go here and click on the links to the pics:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/timwoolley/messages?msg=4639.1

 

[Jennasis]

Like so many of our equine sports, a large part of the problem is the inherent danger in the sport itslef (for the horses). Race horse colts and fillies are saddled at 1 1/2 and have a rider up shortly thereafter. They break their maiden race at 2 and the Derby is for 3 year olds.

Like the soft spot in a baby's head, a horses knees do not close fully until the end of their 3 year old year, usually much later than that. The stress we put on their BABY bodies is considerable and breakdowns are unavoidable. I currently have 2 retired racers in my barn, who were thankfuly too slow to make it in the racing world and were "retired" very early.

I will always believe that no horse whould be started under saddle (and lightly at that) until they are 3. No horse should be permitted to compete until it's 5. It's just my opinion.

 

[Deb in IA]

Latest pictures of Barbaro's [full] baby brother within the last day.

From the photographer: "he was classy as could be when we took these photos this morning.......he stood and posed straight away and did not want to move from the camera...........he think's he's it!"

OK- go here and click on the links to the pics:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/timwoolley/messages?msg=4639.1

Thanks. How old is the foal?

 

[hiwaygal]

Thanks. How old is the foal?

He's 10 1/2 months old...cute, huh?

 

[crazymomof4]

I will always believe that no horse whould be started under saddle (and lightly at that) until they are 3. No horse should be permitted to compete until it's 5. It's just my opinion.

You are not alone in this opinion. I was just reading a lengthy article last night about proposed changes to the horse racing industry. A big one was the age horses begin to race. Unfortunately, the author was not very hopeful that this change would take place. I wonder why? What is the big deal about waiting another year, esp. if it reduces injuries to the animal?

 

[Deb in IA]

Another issue I've heard about is the track composition.


Apparently, here in the US, we love SPEED, and the fastest track is dirt. Unfortunately, dirt tracks don't have much 'give', are hard on the horses' legs, and when they catch the leg wrong, leads to the catastrophic breakdowns like Barbaro's.

European races are often run on grass or other turf that, while they are slower, cause much fewer injuries.

There is a new composite material that some racetracks are installing to decrease the incidents of accidents and breakdowns, but some are resisting this, because of the slower times. Also, they are very expensive. However, with all the publicity around Barbaro, there may be a stronger push to install these new tracks.

 

[Deb in IA]

He's 10 1/2 months old...cute, huh?

Very cute. I see a bit of Barbaro in his eyes too. Is he owned by the Jacksons as well?

 

[CheshireVal]

There is a new composite material that some racetracks are installing to decrease the incidents of accidents and breakdowns, but some are resisting this, because of the slower times. Also, they are very expensive. However, with all the publicity around Barbaro, there may be a stronger push to install these new tracks.

I read that these tracks are actually now being mandated in California. All dirt tracks are to be replaced with the synthetic by a certain date (I can't remember when). It would be nice if other states followed suit.

 

[hiwaygal]

There is a new composite material that some racetracks are installing to decrease the incidents of accidents and breakdowns, but some are resisting this, because of the slower times. Also, they are very expensive. However, with all the publicity around Barbaro, there may be a stronger push to install these new tracks.

I read up a bit on these composites last year after Barbaros injury...I can't remember all the info but I know there are basically two types. One seems to be significantly better than the other. I think I remember reading that many California tracks are starting to require these surfaces...but I could be wrong.

 

[hiwaygal]

Very cute. I see a bit of Barbaro in his eyes too. Is he owned by the Jacksons as well?

Yes, he is...but La Ville Rouge is in foal to Dynaformer now (due in April) and I just read a story that La Ville Rouge will be bred one more time to Dynaformer. He's 22 and I guess they think his life as a stud may be coming to a close. I don't know about that part though!

 

[zagafi]

You are not alone in this opinion. I was just reading a lengthy article last night about proposed changes to the horse racing industry. A big one was the age horses begin to race. Unfortunately, the author was not very hopeful that this change would take place. I wonder why? What is the big deal about waiting another year, esp. if it reduces injuries to the animal?

MONEY is the driving force, unfortunately. Until they race, they're a financial drain, not a financial gain. Buying or breeding champions is expensive enough, but factor in training, board, etc and you're looking at an awful lot of outlay. I firmly believe this is why babies are raced so young, and it's pathetically sad.

 

[crazymomof4]

On the synthetic tracks: It warmed my heart to read that some are calling these changes, "The Tracks that Barbaro Built". READ:"And finally, his lasting effect is that any track that switches to a synthetic surface could also be known as 'a track that Barbaro built.' I don't think it's any coincidence that we're seeing more tracks switch to a synthetic surface. True, California was already in the works, but a surface switch is now being championed by anyone attached to racing, or hoping to be attached to racing. In fact, let me rephrase, I don't think it's any coincidence that track surface switches are becoming front page news. It's no surprise that these discussions are front page news (in racing media) because people care."
"Polytrack at Turfway Park in KY has reduced fatal injuries from 24 to 3" (I'm assuming that is in 1 yrs time.)

On Barbaro's brother(s):
I noticed that the upper part of foal's blaze is very similar to Barbaro's, just that his continues down to his nose, where Barbaro's did not.
The Jacksons own Barbaro's mom, La Ville Rouge. She is one of their brood mares. It was just announced that the foal that is due in April is another boy!

On horses age:

"MONEY is the driving force, unfortunately. Until they race, they're a financial drain, not a financial gain."

I just knew that was going to be the answer! Doesn't it always come down to dollars and cents?

 

[Jennasis]

Yup...money. Until a horse starts racing (and winning) that horse is a MASSIVE financial drain. Horses that do not win are also a massive financial drain. I just LOVE when someone tells me that they are going to breed their mare and then sell the baby and make some money. It breaks my heart because there is almost NO money in breeding unless you are a stallion owner. The pre-natal care is super expensive, raising the baby is expensive, training the baby is expensive and then campaigning is expensive.

The problem with track footing is the same problem I run into with arena footing. It's too soft. Try to imagine the mile being run at the Olympics...on the beach...through the thick squishy sand. THAT is the kind of strain put on young horses muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints, and THAt is where breakdowns happen. All it takes is the sand "grabbing" the hoof the wrong way and SNAP...it's over.

I still remember watching Go For Wand in the Breeder's Cup Distaff so many years ago. Her breakdown made Barbaro's look like he stubbed a toe. It was horrendous. I was hysterical...

Another problem with running the babies is the mental breakdowns. I currently have a coming 4 year old warmblood (an Oldenburg) mare in my barn. She is worth well into the 6 figures. Her owner had her in training in Florida with a well known Olympic level trainer. The mare was schooling Olympic level maneuvers at 3 and a HALF. The mare had a total meltdown and began throwing the rider. The trainer proclaimed the horse "didn't have the mindset for upper level work." Uh...She's THREE you halfwit! Plus they never turned her out (racehorses do not get turned out in pastures either once they are actually racing). We brought the little girl back here to my farm last weekend and had her examined by our vet. She is muscle sore throughout most of her body and her feet are in terrible shape. her owner is going to give this amazing horse some time off to rest, recuperate and to just be a horse (including letting her run happily through my acres of grassy pastures). I will no doubt see this horse in 10 years at the Olympics.

It's a vicious cycle. If managed properly, horses can perform safely, and happily. Race horses and show horses are not china dolls. they need to be allowed turnout and access to other horses for socialization and they need to be started later and brought along slowly and correctly.

 

[zagafi]

I still remember watching Go For Wand in the Breeder's Cup Distaff so many years ago. Her breakdown made Barbaro's look like he stubbed a toe. It was horrendous. I was hysterical...

Oh, God. I remember that. It was horrific. I read the book about Ruffian a few months ago (I was young when she broke down and while I remember it, the book brought it all back) and sobbed. They just have SUCH heart.