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One Horse Dies
The New York Times ^ | 30 Jan 2007 | Editorial staff

Posted on 01/30/2007 9:40:32 AM PST by Kitten Festival

Why should we feel so much grief at the loss of one horse? After all, this is a world in which horses are sacrificed again and again for the sport of humans. Barbaro was euthanized yesterday, eight months after he shattered his right hind leg at the start of the Preakness Stakes. After an injury like that, most racehorses would have been put down minutes later. But every race is a complex equation — a balance of economics, athleticism, equine grace and conscience. Conscience often comes in last, but not in this case. Barbaro’s owners gave that horse exactly what he had given them, which is everything. It was the very least they could do, and yet it seemed truly exceptional in a sport that is as often barbarous as it is beautiful.

Barbaro was exceptional because he won the Kentucky Derby and looked as if he might have a chance at the Triple Crown. But nearly everyone who met him also talked of the life he displayed, a vivid presence that was so much more visible to us because it happened to belong to a winner.

Humans are not especially good at noticing horses, but Barbaro was easy to notice. And if his life caused us to pay attention to the possibilities of all horses, his death should cause us to pay attention to the tragedy inherent in the end of so many horses. Barbaro’s death was tragic not because it was measured against the races he might have won or even against the effort to save his life. It was tragic because of what every horse is.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial
KEYWORDS: barbaro; death; horse; kentuckyderby
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To: Kitten Festival
We lost one of our rodeo bulls last year to a similar thing. He was a magnificent athlete named Copperhead Driller. He broke his leg fighting with the other bulls. He, like Barbaro had the best medical care we could give him but he died anyway, about 2 months before Barbara was injured. Driller only lived about 4 months. I always feared that the outcome would not be good for this horse. Sorry I was right. RIP Barbaro.
101 posted on 01/30/2007 11:29:28 AM PST by Ditter
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To: wtc911

But clearly we do...or this thread would not be here.


102 posted on 01/30/2007 11:32:06 AM PST by Thywillnotmine (take the wings of the morning)
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To: Trust but Verify
Well wait till Rush's cat dies.

Har, har, that was funny. Did Michael Savage weigh in on this story yet? I heard one comment on his show, inviting people to call in and talk about "the horse". Savage often talks about his dog Teddy so he would have more sympathy for animal stories than Rush or Jim Quinn (of the warroom.com, Pittsburgh Talk Radio 104.7 and satellite radio), Jim was railing against the tears for Barbaro this AM.

103 posted on 01/30/2007 11:38:00 AM PST by Ciexyz (In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:16)
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To: Trust but Verify

I can't wait, but doubt he'll have a huge funeral and beg for sympathy cards.


104 posted on 01/30/2007 11:38:03 AM PST by Paulus Invictus
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To: linda_22003

But if course they did, but out here in the West, horse meat is still prized by some (not me).


105 posted on 01/30/2007 11:40:49 AM PST by Paulus Invictus
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To: cjshapi
I've always felt blessed to have my four legged friends in my life.

So true. I salute my parents for always having a dog around as I was growing up. It turns a child into a more responsible and loving adult, after learning by example to empathize with animals first.

106 posted on 01/30/2007 11:41:27 AM PST by Ciexyz (In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:16)
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To: Paulus Invictus

Oh, I've had horse a few times myself, but I still think burial on the farm is most likely.

I recall as a child, visiting Roosevelt's house at Hyde Park. His father, James, had kept horses and some of them were commemorated with plaques in the barn on which their tails were mounted. We're planning to go back to the Hudson River Valley soon; I wonder if those tails are still there, forty years later.


107 posted on 01/30/2007 11:44:29 AM PST by linda_22003
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To: StormEye
It was only a horse whose sole purpose of existence was to make its owners money.

Would you say the same thing about the players of this Sunday's Super Bowl game? They're only slaves in the arena, no better than Gladiators, whose only reason for existence is to make the team owners money?

108 posted on 01/30/2007 11:47:04 AM PST by Ciexyz (In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:16)
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To: Slip18
Oh sweet Jesus! I now have tears running down my face. Tears of gut-wrenching laughter.

Look either your an animal person or your not. I'm not and I think the article was boring and trite. Others felt it was heart warming. Good for all of us.

In other news. . .
109 posted on 01/30/2007 11:47:54 AM PST by stentorian conservative
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To: Paulus Invictus

I'm sure he won't, but you know he LOVES that cat.


110 posted on 01/30/2007 11:49:03 AM PST by Trust but Verify
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To: ExtremeUnction
Does that make Bullet the greatest dog?

Yes, now that's Bullet is stuffed, he is the greatest dog of all. When we were all little Roy Rogers fans back in the 60's, my cousin named his golden palomino Trigger and his family's German Shepard Bullet. Bullet was one mean SOB. Very protective of the immediate family. The only thing Bullet hated more than a snowmobile was anybody on a toboggan being towed behind it. He didn't like horses with riders all that much either.

111 posted on 01/30/2007 12:47:06 PM PST by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: Dixie Yooper
If this horse was so great, have him stuffed like Trigger, The Greatest Horse of All Time.

I don't know what horse was the "Greatest Horse of All Time" but I do know that horse was neither a performer or a race horse.

It was a fearless war horse that some lucky cavalryman rode into battle after battle.

112 posted on 01/30/2007 1:20:55 PM PST by Psycho_Bunny
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To: TomKOne
IT'S A HORSE!!!!

Yep--it probably lived better than most people...
113 posted on 01/30/2007 1:22:30 PM PST by rottndog (While reading this tag, remember Tens of Thousands of Americans are risking their lives for you.)
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To: Psycho_Bunny
It was a fearless war horse that some lucky cavalryman rode into battle after battle

You've gotta love a horse that enjoys trampling a foot soldier.

114 posted on 01/30/2007 1:26:29 PM PST by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: TomKOne

I like to think of myself as multi-dimensional. Can one do both?

We had a promising two year old SB filly, she became ill and we found that at one point she had swallowed some twine. It became calcified in her intestional system and she was gravely ill. We had to make a choice, put her down or do a very expensive and complicated surgery, that would prohibit her from every racing. The vets from OSU called on Christmas Eve, asking for our decision as she had reached a critical stage. We opted for her to live, she survived the surgery but never raced. WE never had any regrets.


115 posted on 01/30/2007 1:36:35 PM PST by Toespi
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To: Kitten Festival
In other news, Sam the Roach died yesterday.

Those that knew Sam said he was a fighter with spirit and a joy to be around.

Sam was last seen alive loitering in the vicinity of a disreputable downtown roach motel.

116 posted on 01/30/2007 2:07:01 PM PST by Colonel Kangaroo
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To: Kitten Festival

God loves horses, too.

Job 39:

19 "Do you give the horse his strength
or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?

20 Do you make him leap like a locust,
striking terror with his proud snorting?

21 He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength,
and charges into the fray.

22 He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;
he does not shy away from the sword.

23 The quiver rattles against his side,
along with the flashing spear and lance.

24 In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground;
he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.

25 At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, 'Aha!'
He catches the scent of battle from afar,
the shout of commanders and the battle cry.


117 posted on 01/30/2007 2:13:52 PM PST by trillabodilla (Jesus Saves)
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To: JoyjoyfromNJ
People >Animals

That doesn't mean that we should be cruel to animals or that God doesn't care for all of his creation. Whether it's Barbaro the Horse or Sam the Roach, God cares for his creation more that we possibly and can He knows what's best for all His creatures.

But it's abominable for the New York Times and other abortion promoters not to show the same compassion for the agony of aborted babies as they do for this deceased celebrity/horse.

118 posted on 01/30/2007 2:19:32 PM PST by Colonel Kangaroo
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To: Colonel Kangaroo

LOL!


119 posted on 01/30/2007 2:19:53 PM PST by trillabodilla (Jesus Saves)
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To: Colonel Kangaroo
I meant to say:

"God cares for his creation more than we possibly can and He knows what's best for all His creatures."

120 posted on 01/30/2007 2:22:08 PM PST by Colonel Kangaroo
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