One Horse Dies

The New York Times ^ | 30 Jan 2007 | Editorial staff

[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.

[Kitten Festival]

If we value all life, we need to grieve for all of it. Because I value all life, I love the animals, too. All life is precious, bar none, because all of it has the same Creator, who designed all of it. To give to one is not to take from another or to value babies less. St. Francis understood this very well.

[dc-zoo]

Reported on Rush's show, Barbaro's last meal was grass.

[beyond the sea]

Bless you for your love and understanding of a good and noble animal.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Dixie Yooper]

If this horse was so great, have him stuffed like Trigger, The Greatest Horse of All Time.

[StormEye]

I agree! It was only a horse whose sole purpose of existence was to make its owners MONEY. Sorry to see it have to be put down; that was a terrible injury it sustained. ( I always thought the animal would have to be euthanized after seeing its injury.) They kept it around as long as they could in order to extract as much semen as possible from it. In death it will still be making its owners MONEY.

[JRochelle]

I was listening to WLSAM this morning and some of the jokes were a bit over the line.

Don was wondering if Barbero had conjugal visits before he was put down, after all Camilla Parker Bowles was in PA last weekend.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

My sympathies for your loss. Growing up I had three horses and loved all of them, I know what you must have gone through with the death of a beloved four legged friend. The passing of my dog, Katie, this past May, has left a hole in my heart too.

The death of this beautiful and talented animal is very sad, I became misty when I heard the news.

[Hot Tabasco]

It was tragic because of what every horse is.

...ultimately a burger in Japan or glue.

[Kimmers]

This really is a great editorial thank you for the post.

[Joe 6-pack]

Excellent video tribute to Barbaro here.

[A knight without armor]

You know when I first read that on this thread I thought it was an amusing comment. But now I find it quite touching. Animals and people all have last meals. Even the baby ones. And yes, even the aborted if you truly consider their nutritional intake. We life forms all do have that in common. So Barabro's last meal was grass. Touching when you stop and think about it.

[Graymatter]

Hey, I love horses too, but this editorial sounds like hash made from leftover Obama copy.
"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..."

[Miss Didi]

This was a serious news report--not a joke!

[Columbine]

Thank you for posting this.

I'm sorry so many conservatives in this thread are so ugly in their minds and hearts.

[JRochelle]

Just reporting what I heard.

They were also wondering if he smoked the grass.

[altura]

I wish he could have gotten well. I don't blame the family for trying so hard to save him.

Because we grew to love this horse does not mean that we consider it more important than children or anything else.

Why hijack this thread with whining?

[RedStateRocker]

Well, it it was Carter......

[paltz]

more money was put into the rehab of the horse than into the rehab of teri schiavo.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

I'm sorry so many conservatives in this thread are so ugly in their minds and hearts.

I won't assume everyone who criticized or mocked the article is a conservative, but there should be enough room in any heart to care about unborn babies and people in general and still feel sadness for Barbaro's death.

[cjshapi]

Thanks.