Barbaro injured at Preakness

[JackB1]

I understand people saying they are unfeeling when they barely knew about this horse, but to say "it's just a horse" really upsets me, like it's no big deal that this animal may die because it's just a horse and not a human. Why are people upset when some huge whale beaches itself and dies? They didn't know the whale personaly. You dont have to know a human or animal personally to feel bad when it is injured and suffering.
Of course I don't expect everyone out there to "pray for Barbaro", but
I wish people in general felt more compasion for other animals that share this planet. I feel that we are all equal in our creator's eyes.

For the people that say "its just a horse", I dont know how you can be so un-feeling for one of nature's most magnificent creatures. Could I break your puppy's leg with a hammer and then say "it's just a dog"?

The two are not even compariable. It was an injury to a horse that not many people have any connection to. The owner, trainer and people involved should feel devastated, but you expect thew general public to care and chastise them when they don't. Then say I'll come break your puppies leg?? Get a clue

[RobVarak]

I feel that we are all equal in our creator's eyes.

Then why I'm eating these bacon-wrapped filets for dinner tonight rather than the other way around?

[Programmed2Kill]

I like watching the races because of my uncle (R.I.P.), so I hope Barbaro pulls through. He's such a magnificent horse and may have been the best chance at the Triple Crown for a while.

Did you forget Smarty Jones already? Won the Derby and the Preakness in 2004.

Take care,
PK

Of course I didn't forget Smarty. This city still talks about that horse.

Why I said Barbaro may have been the best chance in a while is because he was built to win all three Triple Crown races.

He was (I say "was" because he's done racing obviously) a strong, speedy horse that could run for days. He never tires. He comes out in a high gear and while the other thoroughbreds slow up, Barbaro flies past. That's why the jockey didn't even have to use the whip at the Kentucky Derby. Pimlico would've been the hardest test, because of it being the shortest track. But he would've been a shoe-in at the Belmont because that's the longest track and he would've dominated. Those horses are on their last gasp by the last turn. Use the whip once, Barbaro would've just kicked up another gear.

Smarty and alot of these "so close" thoroughbreds aren't built to win all three. Too many "specialized" horses out there. That's why Triple Crown winners are rare.

[Zeppo]

Of course I don't expect everyone out there to "pray for Barbaro", but
I wish people in general felt more compasion for other animals that share this planet. I feel that we are all equal in our creator's eyes.

What I take offense to is someone commanding me - the thread title is written as a command - to pray, yes PRAY, for a HORSE.

If you of course don't expect everyone to "pray for Barbaro" then it's probably a good idea to not start a thread with the title "Pray for Barbaro."

I like animals, I like horses, I have had many emotional attatchments to horses and other animals over the years. But I don't think it's off base to take exception to the idea that one pray for a horse when there are millions of human beings in this world suffering mightily.

[JackB1]

Who the heck commanded anyone to do anything?
It's just a general comment. I saw the same thing on AOL's
front page this morning. Was everyone on AOL offended by that also? Does everyone expect everyone else to do whatever it says in the post subject? Of course not. If I said "Buy the PS3" would you be offended?
It wasn't meant to be taken so literally by each and everybody. Also, I dont think this horse is more deserving of prayer than the millions of suffering human's on our planet, it's just that this just happened on TV and is a current news event. If it makes you happy Zep, I'll change the thread subject I never intended it to be taken as a "demand" and I don't think others saw it that way.

Of course I don't expect everyone out there to "pray for Barbaro", but
I wish people in general felt more compasion for other animals that share this planet. I feel that we are all equal in our creator's eyes.

What I take offense to is someone commanding me - the thread title is written as a command - to pray, yes PRAY, for a HORSE.

If you of course don't expect everyone to "pray for Barbaro" then it's probably a good idea to not start a thread with the title "Pray for Barbaro."

I like animals, I like horses, I have had many emotional attatchments to horses and other animals over the years. But I don't think it's off base to take exception to the idea that one pray for a horse when there are millions of human beings in this world suffering mightily.

[jondiehl]

Of course I don't expect everyone out there to "pray for Barbaro", but
I wish people in general felt more compasion for other animals that share this planet. I feel that we are all equal in our creator's eyes.

Yes, we (humans/people) are all equal, but we are not animals. God put animals here for us to eat, use, order around, make clothing with, whatever we want. Go back and read the end of Genesis chapter 1. God made Adam, not Mr. Ed, in his own image.

Besides, I doubt God wants us praying for a horse that was used to run races for the purposes of gambling.

I guess I'm with the "it's just a horse" side here. I love animals, including my two dogs. However, even if one of my own pets got hit by a car or broke it's hip, had cancer, etc., I'd be upset for sure, but I certainly wouldn't bother God to pray for them (and I'd take it straight to the vet to have it put down).

[wabash97]

"Besides, I doubt God wants us praying for a horse that was used to run races for the purposes of gambling."

God called this morning, my wife answered, and she said he asked something about the "exacta box Bryan played yesterday" and "what is he supposed to do with this Internet betting slip? Can he print it and take it to the local OTB?" She said he was "irate - or maybe just frustrated."

Then she told him to ask Jesus, because the kids are always better with the technology.

B

[Bill_Abner]

Why I said Barbaro may have been the best chance in a while is because he was built to win all three Triple Crown races.

He was (I say "was" because he's done racing obviously) a strong, speedy horse that could run for days. He never tires.

Smarty and alot of these "so close" thoroughbreds aren't built to win all three. Too many "specialized" horses out there. That's why Triple Crown winners are rare.

P2K is 100% accurate. Absolutely true.

As for the whole praying, gambling, it's just a horse stuff. Guys, relax.

I certainly don't expect people to shed tears if Barbaro dies. I doubt I'll shed any and I'm deeply involved in the sport. If you're going to be a part of this sport, this is part of the risk. Like drivers zipping around Indy, this is part of the game. When we lost our colt Crimson Stag to a stall accident it was like losing a family member. My daughter would hand feed him mints, and when she asked me to go see Stag and I had to explain what had happened...it was just brutal.

Now, as for the idea that people breed and train these horses merely for our amusement is ludicrous. High end Thoroughbreds live a fantastic life -- all because the people in the industry care. Barbaro was most likely the most cared after horse on the planet. Spend any time around a Thoroughbred, and you come to realize that they love running -- they love to compete. Is there a dark underside to the game? You bet. I'm not blind to that. Are they "just horses?" Yeah, they are. So I don't care if you pray, tap dance, or whistle dixie, but to the people involved in this, to the trainers, tackmen, owners, walkers, right down the line...it's a sad, sad day.

I hope he pulls though because I want to see little Barbaros on the track in the next few years. I hope that will be his legacy, not a misstep at Pimlico.

[pk500]

I'm torn on this one. Sure, I don't want the horse to suffer, and I feel bad for everyone connected with it.

But is surgery being done so the horse can enjoy a quiet life on a farm? Hell, no. Doctors are trying to save the horse's life so it can breed and possibly make the owners even more money.

If this was a quarter-horse or a plow horse, the needle would have been in its ass by 8 p.m. last night.

We don't make that differentiation with humans.

Take care,
PK

[Bill_Abner]

I'm torn on this one. Sure, I don't want the horse to suffer, and I feel bad for everyone connected with it.

But is surgery being done so the horse can enjoy a quiet life on a farm? Hell, no. Doctors are trying to save the horse's life so it can breed and possibly make the owners even more money.

If this was a quarter-horse or a plow horse, the needle would have been in its ass by 8 p.m. last night.

We don't make that differentiation with humans.

Take care,
PK

Well, that's not entirely true either PK. When famous racehorse John Henry retired and went to the KY Horse Park (he is a gelding, so there goes any breeding) he had to have multiple serious surgeries later in life. They certainly could have been "humane" in putting John down but they didn't, and not because of tons of money but because he was John Friggin' Henry and they wanted to save him. There are a lot of examples like this, even though I do agree that if this were a plowhorse he'd have been most likely put down unless the owners had some kind of attachment to him/her.

Knowing the type is injury that this is, it will surprise me if Barbaro makes it. And you're right that they are doing all of this to save him because he's not a plowhorse, he's a KY Derby winner. Can't argue that.

[Zeppo]

In all honesty my reaction was to the original thread title and all it connoted. I can understand getting emotional over what happened, and I'm sure I would have been more affected had I seen the event live or on television, but I didn't.

I know Jack didn't think it through clearly before starting this thread with what was, in my mind, an insensitive choice of wording, but it's a little bit like 'let them eat cake' when you ask people to pray for a horse. I didn't intend to offend anyone or belittle anoyone's feelings or emotional reaction to the event, but I admit I was heavily struck by the poor choice of thread title.

And BTW Jack, there are a lot of animal rights activists who detest horse racing and everything about it and would like to see it abolished. I personally don't tend to agree with them (in fact, in some ways it may be more abusive to the jockeys than the horses; what do they call it, 'flopping' or something?), but you do know that horses break legs all the time in training or at races all over the country that happen to be broadcast only on closed-circuit to OTBs, not on network TV, yes? And then there are the horses that work for a living, on ranches or underneath mounted police or park rangers, etc. who get injured or diseased or are put down or die with no notice in the papers or on TV.

I'm sure I overreacted, but I think one needs to be more careful with his choice of words, especially in a thread title. I appreciate that you have changed it.

[Rodster]

Well it appears for now this story ends with a happy ending !

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/m ... ml?cnn=yes

Barbaro standing after surgery
Surgeon: Colt 'practically jogged back to the stall'

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro emerged from seven hours of surgery Sunday to repair life-threatening injuries and "practically jogged back to the stall," said Dr. Dean Richardson, who performed the procedure a day after the colt broke his right rear leg in three places at the Preakness.

[XXXIV]

I know its just a horse but it is still great news ..He is a magnificent animal...

For the record. I had nothing to do with the injuries as I saw we were all blamed for it....

[JackB1]

its not near over yet, but it's a great start

here is a quote from espn.com

"At this moment "he is extremely comfortable in the leg," said Dr. Dean Richardson, who stressed before the marathon procedure that he's never worked on so many catastrophic injuries to one horse.

Richardson gave the horse a "50-50" chance of survival due to the high risk of post-op infection. Barbaro will be given antibiotics as a method to stave off infection. But even if Barbaro does manage to avoid infection, the road to recovery will last months, Richardson said."

Well it appears for now this story ends with a happy ending !

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/m ... ml?cnn=yes

Barbaro standing after surgery
Surgeon: Colt 'practically jogged back to the stall'

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro emerged from seven hours of surgery Sunday to repair life-threatening injuries and "practically jogged back to the stall," said Dr. Dean Richardson, who performed the procedure a day after the colt broke his right rear leg in three places at the Preakness.

[JackB1]

the latest:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/ ... id=2452946

encouraging news indeed. this horse sounds like something special.
too bad we will never know how special he would have been on the racetrack.

[pk500]

That's really good news to read.

Take care,
PK

[Teal]

Not much into horse racing, but watched this one with my dad.

Hated to see it happen; glad he's up and around. They are very majestic creatures...

[SoMisss2000]

looks like the x-rays of my surgically repaired hip after a 1999 car wreck.

[pk500]

Damn. Did that surgery have title sponsorship from True Value?

Take care,
PK

[tjung0831]

the latest:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/ ... id=2452946

encouraging news indeed. this horse sounds like something special.
too bad we will never know how special he would have been on the racetrack.

Barbaro is a smart guy and is well aware of all the prime phillypoon that is about to bestowed on him. He wasn't about to die and give all that up!

[sfz_T-car]

Ouch. Just looking at that x-ray makes my ankle sore

[lexbur]

There's a really interesting gallery/slideshow thing on Yahoo. Pretty amazing the lengths they're going for this horse.

I was at the local track Saturday watching the race on TV. It was eerie how quickly the crowd became suddenly quiet.

I hope he pulls through.

[Drag66]

Why I said Barbaro may have been the best chance in a while is because he was built to win all three Triple Crown races.

He was (I say "was" because he's done racing obviously) a strong, speedy horse that could run for days. He never tires.

Smarty and alot of these "so close" thoroughbreds aren't built to win all three. Too many "specialized" horses out there. That's why Triple Crown winners are rare.

P2K is 100% accurate. Absolutely true.

As for the whole praying, gambling, it's just a horse stuff. Guys, relax.

I certainly don't expect people to shed tears if Barbaro dies. I doubt I'll shed any and I'm deeply involved in the sport. If you're going to be a part of this sport, this is part of the risk. Like drivers zipping around Indy, this is part of the game. When we lost our colt Crimson Stag to a stall accident it was like losing a family member. My daughter would hand feed him mints, and when she asked me to go see Stag and I had to explain what had happened...it was just brutal.

Now, as for the idea that people breed and train these horses merely for our amusement is ludicrous. High end Thoroughbreds live a fantastic life -- all because the people in the industry care. Barbaro was most likely the most cared after horse on the planet. Spend any time around a Thoroughbred, and you come to realize that they love running -- they love to compete. Is there a dark underside to the game? You bet. I'm not blind to that. Are they "just horses?" Yeah, they are. So I don't care if you pray, tap dance, or whistle dixie, but to the people involved in this, to the trainers, tackmen, owners, walkers, right down the line...it's a sad, sad day.

I hope he pulls though because I want to see little Barbaros on the track in the next few years. I hope that will be his legacy, not a misstep at Pimlico.

Bill, are you involved with West Point Thoroughbreds? I know Stag used to run under their ownership.

As for all the posts basically saying "who cares," that's your opinion and you are entitled to it. But as a die-hard fan of this sport and a lover of all animals, including the horse, I will pray for him and hope to see little Barbaros in the coming years.

If you all followed the sport as Bill and I do, you would know that his owners and all his connections genuinely care about his welfare (and not just for breeding purposes).

[Bill_Abner]

Bill, are you involved with West Point Thoroughbreds? I know Stag used to run under their ownership.

Yeah, we have been part owners of several WP horses and are very good friends with the owner and the people who work there. A great bunch. Stag and a filly named Sweet Nannette being the best of the lot. We currently have a colt named Megapunch who shows a lot of potential; he's just an idiot that is as green as they come. Very fast, though.

[Drag66]

Cool, I'll keep an eye out for Megapunch! I am interested in becomming part owner of some horses and the West Point bunch do seem like a good group. I listen to "At the Races and Beyond" on Sirius and they interview Terry Finley from WP quite a bit.