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 ...
This is almost as beautiful as the heart-wrenching eulogy that the NYT wrote for Terri Schiavo when she had to be "put down." Not.
______________________________
Sad.
Wrong . Barbero has not covered a mare nor could he unless he could stand alone on his back legs. Registered Thorouhbred rules are live cover only. No AI is allowed.
The hope was that he could recover to stand at stud, but it was not to be.
Don't post your guesses unless you know for certain. You probably don't know the rules of the Jockey Club.
Why is absurd for an owner to spend money on his horse? It is his money not the states and we have private property rights. If you feel the best choice for money is to be spent on human children, then spend your own.
Otherwise this is communist drivel.
Children have more value than horses. You call that sentiment 'communist drivel'. No further comment necessary.
This story is not about abortion. It is about the ending of a great horse. Please don't be so one track that your issue has to be made about any other issue.
Besides we can grieve about any death. It appears to be envious to take issue about the grief over Barbero's death.
You can be sure these past eight months, Barbaro was nothing but a semen factory.
Yes, I get tired of people sticking comments about their pet peeves over unrelated topics. Please post comments totally unrealted to their topics to show why that is irrevelant and tiresome.
No offspring not of live covere will be registered as a TB.
The value of children is not communist drivel, telling other people what to do with their money is.
What have you done for the children today? Besides belittle us, that is.... I'm curious. Can you inspire us with your own actions? Or is your only specialty taking potshots at other people's interests?
Enough Russ,
Leave Terri Schiavo or aborted babies out of it. This story is not about them. Can you accept that?
My efforts over the past years directly supporting kids of US servicemen as well as troops both in theater and at WRAMC are well known by certain members of this forum, some have even helped. None of them are on this thread about a dead animal, which is not a surprise.
Russ? What are you talking about?
So why are you? If you have something better to do?
Children do have more value than horse. True. But do not tell other people how they should spend their own money. That is tryanny.
Just to break your shoes skippy.
DC Patriot that is a pure lie. Unless you know the facts don't post wild guesses. Several people including myself had told why your statement is a lie.
Don't tell me what to tell anyone else, that is tyranny.
And you think 'breaking my shoes' makes you a better person than merely either admiring the horse, or letting people be?
It's a small person who uses the internet as a place to run around kicking people. I don't admire any of them.
Maybe you should follow their lead and have the courtesy not to hijack a thread with your particular pet peeve issue, bunky.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.