Horse racing is for the birds.

Fred F · #1 05-20-2006, 11:43 PM

Barbaro, the possible triple crown winner, broke down at the Preakness, has two breaks in his ankle, and is being operated on. These injuries are life threatening, and even if he survives the surgery, he's likely to be euthanized. If a human had this injury, he'd have to stay inactive for 6 week. It's next to impossible for a horse, especially one so spiritied at Barbaro, to do that.

Maybe someday we'll learn that animals were not put on this earth to satisfy our gambling needs.

Set Avatar · #2 05-21-2006, 12:25 AM

Horse leg fractures do not mean death always but I read up on Barbaro's specific fracture and he has two breaks in one leg. And when it is a compound fracture you might as well forget it because infection usually settles in. When a horse has two breaks in one leg such as Barbaro does it is very serious. Because horses move all the time it is very hard to keep them still so the fracture can heal. He will never run again as he once did.This horse is going to have a very very difficult intense surgery and I don't know if anyone here has witnessed a horse come out of a GA but when they do they are all alone in a padded room and its not pretty and they flail about and can break bones all over again.

Actually in most cases such as this Euthanasia is the most humane answer.

I too am against horse racing often many illegal drugs are used on these poor animals to enhance their performance.

Melissa

George Lyons · #3 05-21-2006, 12:35 AM

The owners didn't race Barbaro for six weeks before the Kentucky Derby and there were questions about whether that was prudent; it appears that the stress and sudden exertion of two major races in two weeks was too burdensome for the horse to endure and instead of the expected Triple Crown, it may be the end for this gallant steed.

Set Avatar · #4 05-21-2006, 12:56 AM

Well if he makes it they can still use him as a fine stallion.

This is what I am praying for.

Melissa

Ed Potts · #5 05-21-2006, 05:33 AM

you could tell something was wrong when he broke from the starting gate before the bell. I pray for his survival.

voice1 · #6 05-21-2006, 05:57 AM

After your surgery will you be put out to stud or will you try to bike again?

This horse is from down the road from where I live. We were at a big party yesterday afternoon. He was the 3rd horse in a row to win the Derby from Chester County, Pa. we are proud of our horses here.

Horses were born to run and this horse loved to run. I don't know about the gambling as I don't bet as a rule but there is something very gentrified about a horse race...the act of being there.

Taylor · #7 05-21-2006, 11:58 AM

I've seen this happen before. At the Arkansas Derby, "Misty Spy" suffered from a broken ankle as a result of a rock that was just below the surface of the soil.

It's rare, but it happens....

Fred F · #8 05-22-2006, 06:47 AM

Say what? My dictionary says that gentrification is: "the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces earlier usually poorer residents"

Are you saying that you feel like a renewed neighborhood when you go to a horserace? Oh, I get it...NEIGH..borhood.

Ed Potts · #9 05-22-2006, 06:59 AM

You need surgery more than you realize! Wadda sense of humor!

voice1 · #10 05-22-2006, 07:05 AM

But there is a gentility at these affairs. And it is the coming together of the classes. There are billionaires standing next to stable hands in the stands. People are there to root. Most are well dressed and coiffed and behaved.

The footage from the grand party at Pimlico on Saturday before the race was really something. From my neighbors who were there, they said it was a "sophisticated mardi gras" with people from all walks of life getting together and getting along. No police, no fights. Better than a football game.

That is to what I was referring. Ladies are ladies and gentlemen are gentlemen.

Greggie · #11 05-22-2006, 08:19 AM

I turned down an invitation to go to the Preakness. Now I am glad I didn't, because it would have been terrible to see in person, what happened to Barbero. I did watch on TV, and I found it devastating. This is heartbreaking.

Gordon · #12 05-22-2006, 08:57 AM

Sorry guys & gals..I would like to add something here ..but I am afraid to death of em!!

Almost as bad as the russgoingonaboutantonthreadaphobia I recently found out I had

voice1 · #13 05-22-2006, 09:12 AM

Perhaps I should have used the latter as it is more appropriate to about which I was speaking.

elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression

Taylor · #14 05-22-2006, 10:41 AM

Thoroughbred horses are born to run and built for speed. They'll become restless and depressed if they're cooped up without room to run around. In some cases, after a racehorse is retired, they will stop eating and die very quickly. They live to compete...

Fred F · #15 05-22-2006, 11:29 AM

Don't be fooled into thinking these stable owners are doing something altruistic to save racehorses from becoming depressed and restless. They breed the things, much more than they would breed under normal conditions, in order to get the fastest and best racehorses.

I don't pretend to know a lot about horse breeding, but I imagine that horses would survive very well in the wild were they not corralled in and force to become racehorses. It's BIG, BIG business, on the backs of these animals. Do we have the right to use them this way?

Set Avatar · #16 05-22-2006, 11:33 AM

I don't watch horseracing but I watched the painful break on computer download and that poor horse. Thank God the jockey Edgar Prado knew a bit about horse injuries and kept the horse up so he didn't put too much weight on the injured leg!

You are right Taylor horses are animals of motion that is why it's so hard to get them to recover properly from leg injuries. Well this guy won't ever run again as a racehorse but hopefully he can run around as a breeding Stallion if he is lucky. I read an update on him and the surgery seemed to be succesful when they got in there they found he had three breaks in his leg above the ankle, behind the ankle and below the ankle and his fetlock joint was dislocated!!!!!!!!

Man he really hurt himself. This is one of the worst breaks. Almost any other horse would have been put down because the fee for this surgery is gastronomically expensive. His stud fee will be expensive unless they can trace this as a hereditary trait but I doubt it is. I just hope he heals ok.

Melissa

Set Avatar · #17 05-22-2006, 11:44 AM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12891421/

This link shows the horse race and when the break occurs for people who didn't see it and the true skill of the jockey who helped Barbaro face even worse injury.

Fred I agree there are many wrong things that happen in horse racing especially when they boost them up with illegal drugsto make them run faster but not all horse racers do this.

Melissa

Gordon · #18 05-22-2006, 11:51 AM

This.....

"Thoroughbred horses have genetic problems that are exacerbated by hard track surfaces, year-round racing schedules, and corporate owners who view horses as "investments" and race them too frequently in an effort to make more money. Ailing or injured horses are often given drugs to mask the pain. As a result, life-threatening injuries and chronic lameness are common.

Few racehorses are retired to pastures because owners don't want to pay for a horse who doesn't bring in any money. Only the top winners are kept for breeding. When horses are no longer winning races, they often end up in slaughterhouses, where they are turned into dog food and glue. Their flesh is also exported to countries like France and Japan, where it is considered a delicacy."