Posted on 07/10/2006 2:13:53 PM PDT by Dog
For nearly 6 weeks after the catastrophic injuries Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro suffered in the May 20 Preakness, the colt's recovery from the May 21 surgery on his right hind leg had gone better than even the most optimistic had hoped. From the start, Dr. Dean Richardson, who performed the surgery, warned everyone that it could turn the other way at any time.
In the last week, almost nothing has gone right for Barbaro. Last night, Richardson said the colt has developed "potentially serious'' complications, including an infection in the leg. When asked how he thought this might play out, Richardson said he simply could not be certain.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
But the horse is done racing, right? Obviously stud fees are at stake, but that's the financial angle to the story.
Otherwise, we're hoping that a cute horse doesn't prematurely die because we like cute horses. And who doesn't?
I repeat myself; I'd like the horse to make a complete recovery, or as complete as it can be. I was trying to understand why there's an emotional aspect to the story, and I think that's been answered.
Actually there was a horse thread about a prosthetic that was used. I didn't save it though.
Think NASA. What the vets learn from this case can benefit all mankind that have horses:')
Horse sense.
And perhaps an aesthetic sense. The sheer beauty of horses touches many people's hearts. Not to mention their spirits. Barbaro has both beauty and spirit to a magnificent degree.
>But the horse is done racing, right? Obviously stud fees are at stake, but that's the financial angle to the story.
Otherwise, we're hoping that a cute horse doesn't prematurely die because we like cute horses. And who doesn't?
I repeat myself; I'd like the horse to make a complete recovery, or as complete as it can be. I was trying to understand why there's an emotional aspect to the story, and I think that's been answered.<
The horse could be a failure at stud. There are no guarantees. Animals with every indication of success on pedigree and performance have proven incapable of siring anything more than ordinary.
Then there is another possibility: infertility.
And one more: mental problems. Japanese interests bought War Emblem hoping he would take the place of Sunday Silence, but although the animal is fertile, he isn't interested in mares. They've tried everything, but this year he has actually covered only one mare.
I don't want to go deeply into the emotional issues because this usually only ends in the people who care being ridiculed and taunted by those who obviously do not, and who enjoy shredding those who do.
Suffice to say, it goes way beyond "cute".
I think I understand what the problem is. I was either 9 or 10 years old, and I was sitting on a horse at a neighbor's place. It was a pretty big thrill for me.
There was a large crash across the street. I don't know what dropped, but the horse bolted and I went tumbling.
Broke my arm.
I've probably been holding a grudge against horses for a very long time.
If I were a psychologist, I'd send me a bill for ten bucks. ;-)
People who love horses (and not just this particular horse) value them not for the financial investment or not even as pets. Horses are a part of our nation's history and heritage.
A thoroughbred carries centuries of breeding in him, and is bred for racing and for heart. Barbaro had all of this, in spades.
Race horses are the culmination of the unique partnership between man and animal. The only thing that eclipses it is the partnership between man and dog. Barbaro's injury came at the culmination of his training, and hit people emotionally because race horses are seen as not simply animals but partners. It was rather like seeing the co-pilot of a jet injured as they were getting ready to win a round-the-world race.
Horse people and dog people are simply not able to look at animals as investments. It is, I think, something almost genetic. While I share this view, my husband (raised on a farm) does not. I don't think it has anything to do with economics or whether or not someone is a race fan. It is something more, and I can't fully explain it, although I hope I have given you a feel.
Did you ever read the book or see the moveie Sea Biscuit? That would give you a feel for what people are thinking about Barbaro.
Hope this helps!
THe arm ok, now? You could try again:')
Barbaro is a magnificent, splendid animal. His best chance of survival is to gain some use of the leg - which may be so limited that he might never be able to stud. His owner's and caregiver's only wish is that he has a pain-free life. A thoroughbred's life is motion. They can not survive on three legs - the unequal weight distribution leads to a fatal infection of the hoof. Prosthetic limbs have been tried with very poor success. The best chance for this magnificent animal is to heal.
Is that true?? How unbelievable! For one thing those mounts
were probably trained at great expense to be reliable in
the face of traffic, distractions, hurled missiles...
Tells me all I needed to know about the mayor.
also an eye for the stud fees Barbaro could command if he
can manage balancing on those hind legs...
I thought they shot horses with broken legs.
It's not about the horse. It's about what it is worth. Someone is taking a financial bath here.
Bless you. I was not trying to pick a fight.
And your answer did explain a lot of this.
Thanks for the info. I never could understand, now I do.
There are stud fees to be collected - this particular investment [at least in theory] was only starting paying out.
I've ridden horses probably 20 or 30 times since then with no mishaps.
And it's fun. I think the last time was three years ago.
But I've never owned a horse or ever bonded with one.
I probably (unwisely) entered this thread with the same kind of a question that a North Korean would have about why I've spent hundred of dollars in vet bills for my dog. A dog to me is different than a dog to him. It's a matter of how much time you've spent with them and how that relationship is working.
I just hope I never develop too much compassion for cattle or hogs. That would really cut down on my menu choices.
And I absolutely refuse to bond with a chicken. Not gonna do it.
Here's another one regarding Kwame.
http://www1.wxyz.com/wxyz/nw_local_news/article/0,2132,WXYZ_15924_4136902,00.html
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