I agree, Miss Marple. Here's the best way I can explain it to you, Dog Gone:
"There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse." -- President Ronald Reagan
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!
Bless you. I was not trying to pick a fight.
And your answer did explain a lot of this.
I agree, Miss Marple. Here's the best way I can explain it to you, Dog Gone:
"There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse." -- President Ronald Reagan