Bernardini wins Preakness; Barbaro injured (MSNBC/AP)

[Up2Late]

Bernardini wins Preakness; Barbaro injured

Kentucky Derby winner breaks down shortly after beginning of race
(AP) Updated: 1 minute ago

BALTIMORE - In a stunning development at the Preakness Stakes, heavy favorite Barbaro broke down shortly after the beginning of the race and Bernardini later won the race by several lengths on Saturday.

Jockey Edgar Prado pulled up the injured Barbaro shortly after the beginning of the race. Barbaro, who was an even-money favorite after dominating the Kentucky Derby two weeks before, was loaded onto an ambulance after the race.

Even prior to the race, Barbaro broke through the barrier and had to be guided back into the starting gate. By virtue of his impressive victory in the Kentucky Derby, Barbaro had been elevated to esteemed status. He immediately became the horse to beat in the Preakness, and many considered him capable of making a run to the Triple Crown.

The dark bay colt was shipped by van from his home in Elkton, Md., on Friday afternoon and checked into stall 40 at the Pimlico stakes barn shortly before 3 o’clock. Dozens of cameras recorded his every move, and a thick crowd of reporters were on hand to witness the event.

(more at link)

<http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12889693/>


(Kentucky Derby Winner pulls up with an injury in Preakness
Just watched it live, no link or medical report yet.

Barbaro had broke through the starting gate before the starting bell, which might be when he hurt his rear right leg. Looked like a pulled muscle to me, but that's just a former athlete's guess.)

[spindrifter]

1. Apparent hind ankle injury-unknown origin

at this point. I didn't see it--just caught a live commentator on it. Bernardini takes the race.

[pola]

2. I think it is serious... this is heartbreaking...racing can be cruel

so so sad.
i can't even stand to watch any more. this is so heartbreaking. As you may know, he was the Derby winner, the favorite, and such a beautiful horse...

[smtpgirl]

31. I was going for Sweetnorthernsaint, a MD horse

but when I watched as Barbaro was going to a slow gait, I was sad.

I hope he comes out ok. I hope he has a Seabiscuit moment!!

The winner of the Preakness Bernardini - the owner is from Dubai, remember port security.

[Johnyawl]

3. How could he pull a mussel?

he wasn't even at the beach!

Are you sure he didn't pull a muscle? :D

Seriously it broke my heart to watch that.

[Up2Late]

7. Sorry, the spell check forgot to read my mind again...

...DU is helping my spelling, but I've always had trouble with spelling. :blush:

Thanks, I'll fix it, it's Mescal, right? :evilgrin:

[pola]

I hope it is not serious, but announcer said it could be...

[Imalittleteapot]

4. Heartbreaking.

I hope you're right about the muscle and that he will survive the injury. That was a hard race to watch. :cry:

All of my handicapping friends had their money on Barbaro.

[rhino47]

5. It totally broke my heart to see a champion go down like that.

I think it was really serious and more then just a muscle.I hope I am wrong.He has more heart then most pols i have known.

[rhino47]

6. Update is that barbaro has a fractured leg.

They are taking him back to Pa to be operated on.

[Imalittleteapot]

8. I hope surgery prevents

what I have been thinking is the inevitable - that which I can't bring myself to say.

[BooScout]

14. I doubt they will put him down....

Horses are only put down when it's cost prohibitive to the owner. A kentucky Derby winner is ot going to be put down unless all hope is lost.

[Up2Late]

9. Oh, that is very sad. Maybe it's not too serious so that he won't...

...have to be put down. :cry:

I'm sure some here will say that these horses shouldn't be forced to run like this, but as a former competitive runner, I can see it in their eyes the same joy that I see people get when they are a well conditioned athlete who love to run.

[KittyWampus]

15. I know someone that did world class steeplechase... he said the horses

ABOLUTELY know they are competeting and love it.

[CC]

10. Fractures both above

and below the knee (fetlock). Concerns about blood flow to the area. Still at the stakes barn and still being accessed. (according to the local news)


Edited to add correct phrasing but leaving the original since that was the way the reporter put it. Course the reporter said he was working under threat of arrest so will give him leeway. Thank you to u4ic for correct term.

[u4ic]

11. Would be above and below the fetlock

no hind knees on horses. :hi:

[CC]

12. Thanks, I don't know horses

and was just repeating the live report on the tv. Will go fix it though.

[leftyladyfrommo]

13. I won't even watch horse races. I hate them.

After Ruffian broke his leg and had to be destroyed I just quit with that sport all together.

I don't think we should wager on animal competitions.

[ZenKitty]

16. What a heartbreaker!

Prayers for Barbaro and his connections. It was heartbreaking to watch. That being said, I grew up around horses and if there is one thing I know it is that horses LOVE to race. Whether one should gamble or not, that is another question.

[Caoimhe]

25. Right

and there is a lot of other crap that horseracing has gotten bad press over the years for. Drugging the horses, steroids, etc. Plus I think there's a little bit of a mafia feel to the whole betting part of it. I posted in the Lounge earlier that I didn't understand the odds and how they work. Three to five still doesn't really make sense to me even after a kind person explained it to me. I've watched horse racing my entire life and the last part of it that concerned me was the betting, the odds, the payouts. The beautiful creatures doing what they love is a treat. I always wanted to be a jockey, but at 6'1", that hope faded quick.

When I was a kid I had a white appaloosa which I would put the exercise pad on, hike the stirrups as high as they would go and pretend to be a jockey. Too many Black Stallion books as a kid. All hail, Walter Farley!

[petersjo02]

18. Ruffian was a filly

not a "he." I watched that race and was totally devastated. Horses have been my life. I've lost three horses by euthanasia and another who, thankfully, just dropped dead at age 26--along with countless cats and dogs. It is as devastating the last time as it is the first and never gets any easier. I truly know what the people in Barbaro's human family are going through right now. We'll know soon enough if his life can be saved, but the waiting in agonizing. Foot injuries in horses are dicey prospects because of weight distrubution issues from front legs to back, and supporting a horse that is full of himself in a sling for any length of time is also dicey. He'll get the best care there is. Let's send positive thoughts his way and hope for the best possible outcome.

[leftyladyfrommo]

20. I couldn't remember the sex - I just remember the name and

that horrible race. And that was the end for me.

I just can't stand it.

We have dog racing here and I wish it was outlawed but for different reasons. The dogs are raised, raced, destroyed by the thousands.

I don't care if people wager on stuff but we shouldn't be putting animals in that position. We should just wager on sports where people who compete have full knowledge of what they are doing.

[ZenKitty]

23. Self delete

replied to wrong message

[Southsideirish]

35. Me, too. I loathe them. My husband says its the dirt tracks that make

the horses break down. In Europe they race on the grass and rarely, if ever, have these problems.

[tll]

72. this is why a lot of tracks are switching to polytrack

I love racing and I love the breed. While there's still work to be done to do right by (all) the horses, a lot of progress is being made in terms of safety and in terms of what happens to these animals post-career. Likewise with greyhounds -- my father just adopted one and I can't say enough good things about this lovely, lovely dog.

Barbaro's in sugery now... news from another bb (poster had connections at New Bolton) is that he had a "good" night and his laid-back disposition and good mind are serving him well.

Despite the word being that there are actually three fractures, let's hope for the best.

I won't rehash my rants on slaughter and what tragically happens to too many horses off the track.... but I will say this, as someone fortunate to grow up around and with a lot of thoroughbreds -- they're amazing creatures with amazing hearts. Barbaro exemplifies the best qualities of the breed.

Here's to him.

[borlis]

58. Part of the beauty of Ruffian was that she was a filly

who could beat the boys. That was a heartbreaking day I will never forget. I didn't see the race today, but I got goose bumps when my son told me what happened. It's just so sad. Let's hope they can save his life.

[Caoimhe]

17. So sad to watch

My husband was trying to record the outgoing message on our phone answering machine and I just started screaming NO!! NO!!! NO!!!! when I realized that Barbaro was hurt. The way he was galloping, tryin to gallop with three legs.. my heart just wrenched.

Such a sad end to such a glorious career. I don't think they will put him down, but he will be enjoying the retired life as a stud on some lush farm I'm sure the rest of his life. I can't see how a double break can heal well enough to withstand competition.

[pola]

19. praying he makes it - they want him to be a stud horse. eom

[CC]

21. Better latest update

According to vet Barbaro suffered fractures both above and below his right rear ankle. His racing career is over and they are working on saving his life. Again local news reporting from track.

[leftyladyfrommo]

24. Does anyone know about training for racing?

I read that they were training him completely differently than they normally do. I wonder if they put too much stress on him during training?

I know abslutely nothing about it.

[Caoimhe]

He was getting rest

Part of the whole "backstory" that Bob Costas gave was about how Michael Matz, the trainer had decided to give the colt several weeks without racing before the Derby. He felt that had paid off. Apparently he's had the last two weeks off since the Derby, and because of his fidgitiness right before the Derby, this time they walked him continually, even while saddling him.. to work his fidgits out. If you saw the backstory on Michael Matz, he was an equestrian rider and competed in the Olympics on an overtired horse, and vowed never to make that mistake again. I don't know how this plays into Barbaro's readiness, but he still goes away undefeated in my book.

[CountAllVotes]

28. that was a big mistake - not letting him RUN

This fine animal was out running the day of the Kentucky Derby. In fact, they were a bit concerned as he ran a very fast 1/2 mile before the race.

He should have been allowed to run run run as that is what horses do. The mistake that they made was a bad one.

Another person here was watching the race too and noted that while walking on the track it appeared that the horse stepped on something and the jockey looked down. :shrug:

All I know now is that this fine animal will be lucky if he lives and gets to even go out to pasture. :(

:dem:

[CC]

29. Local paper story

on how his Friday went. They didn't keep him from running at all, just kept him home. http://www.cecilwhig.com/articles/2006/05/19/news/03.txt
Though have to say, the story is heartbreaking to read now, unlike yesterday when it was the cover for the umpteenth time.


BTW they are giving him police escort on I95. So they are moving right along.

[Up2Late]

33. Do you figure he broke his leg when he had that false start?

He seemed to be walking O.K. back to the gate, but, at least with Human runners, sometimes you don't feel a break right away.:shrug:

[ZenKitty]

37. I think it's possible he may have injured a front leg when he false

started. If that happened he would have altered his gait whereby he put too much pressure on a back leg. Combine that with altering the tempo of his gait and it's an accident waiting to happen. This is all pure speculation on my part, of course.

[CC]

26. I live down the road from

Fairhill. What they did different was keep him at his home stable until the very last. Since his home stable is only about an hour from Pimlico it wasn't hard to do. They tried to keep his day as normal as possible, including trying to keep the media from interfering.

I know nothing about racing, but well couldn't avoid the story had I wanted too since so many locals are involved. And Fairhill has had a very rough year. They lost 24 horses to a barn fire and two to a herpes outbreak.

[leftyladyfrommo]

27. Boy, that would just be devasting.

I don't know how people pick up and go on after tragedy like that. I don't think I could.

[CC]

30. Here is a link to one of

the stories. I looked for a later one because originally they thought 31 horses had been lost. http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051103/NEWS/511030347

[spindrifter]

22. I grew up around race tracks and

this is really one of the most heart-breaking things that can happen. I feel terrible for everyone who is close to that majestic horse and hope for the best for him.

[kestrel91316]

32. I haven't made a point of watching many horse races since I

saw Ruffian break down and have to be destroyed. She was one of the best racehorses EVER, filly OR colt, IMHO. That was such a tragic waste, and she was winning that race handily, too, IIRC.

I hope Barbaro can be successfully treated. It doesn't sound very good, though. The best that can be hoped for ia a successful career on a stud farm, servicing the best mares. The worst would be failure of surgical repair, perhaps catastrophic breakdown in the first few days postop, or worse yet have to be destroyed before surgery. I have seen some beautiful, successful surgeries followed by disaster in the stall postop. Horses are NOT good patients.

[Up2Late]

34. When and what race was the Ruffian break down?

I remember the name, but I've forgotten the details.

[catchnrelease]

42. It was a match race

I don't remember the date, but it was supposed to be a match race between the winningest filly and colt. Just the two of them. There was a huge amount of excitement and publicity about the race. Ruffian was ahead and suddenly was trying to run on three legs as her jockey realized something was wrong and struggled to pull her up. It was devastating to watch. How sad, I can't even remember the name of the colt....was it Affirmed?

[Justpat]

43. In 1975 there was a match race between Ruffian and

Foolish Pleasure who was that year's Derby winner.

The race was a creation of the media. It was in the days of women's lib and Ruffian was an undefeated filly.

The trainer did not want to run her in the match race but the pressure of the media convinced the owners to
try the filly against the leading three year old male of the year. It was at a mile and quarter, run out of the
chute at Belmont. It was a disaster for racing.

[Southsideirish]

36. I saw that, too. Never again. I used to go out to local races and saw

several where they had to put the horse down due to terrible injuries and they would have a sort of cart that would drag the dead horse off. Horrible!!! Get rid of dirt tracks - they cause these injuries.

[catchnrelease]

39. I'm pretty sure

that's what happened to Ruffian. Her surgery went ok, but when she came up out of the anesthesia she thrashed around so much it undid all the repairs. Those involved decided it was not going to work and let her go. Ugh, don't like to even think about that whole event. Hopefully there are newer drugs that will make Barbaro's recovery smoother and he can go on to have a decent life.

Racing is really a two edged sword IMO. Nothing more beautiful to see than a horse running full out, but also very scary as there is always the chance for a break-down. (Especially since the horses are started so young and there is so much pressure put on those lower leg joints.)

[Up2Late]

38. UPDATE: 'Say a prayer' — Barbaro hurt at Preakness (AP)

(Their are pictures an video at the link)

"Say a prayer" — Barbaro hurt at Preakness

Derby winner's life in jeopardy after double fracture; Bernardini wins

(AP) Updated: 13 minutes ago

BALTIMORE - Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro broke down at the start with a life-threatening injury and broke the hearts of racing fans as Bernardini went on to win the $1 million Preakness Stakes on Saturday. The horrifying scene at Pimlico Race Course occurred in the first few hundred yards, right in front of the grandstand, as the field of nine horses broke from the gate.

Barbaro was in the middle of the pack when he suddenly dropped back under Edgar Prado. The colt was favoring his right rear leg and the crowd gasped in dismay as the jockey pulled Barbaro to a stop just past the finish line and jumped off.

Fans were crying in the grandstand as the unbeaten 3-year-old was loaded into an equine ambulance and taken away, his injured leg in an inflatable cast. Dr. Larry Bramlage of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, said Barbaro suffered a fracture above and below the ankle.

“It’s a serious fracture. This will require pretty major surgery. ... Keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer,” he said. “His career is over. This is very life threatening. Under the best circumstances, we will try to save him as a stallion.”

(more plus pictures and video at link)

<http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12889693/>

[Jeanette in FL]

40. As a former Equine Sports Massage Therapist for the tracks, this is bad

To have a fracture both above and below the ankle, is devastating and complicated.

His fate is now in the hands of his owners and insurance company. Unfortunately, the horse is an investment. They will weigh out the pros and cons and make their decision.

The last horse I adopted is a Standard bred who was a star on the track as a three year old trotter. His first injury on the track was a right broken ankle, which they were able to "doctor" him in order to get him to race again. His second injury was a left pulled hamstring, which retired him. His owner a very wealthy Norwegian man loved "Bradley" and would not put him down for the insurance money and put him in the Standard bred retiree camp for adoption. He was adopted out to a woman who was fully briefed on his condition yet decided to barrel race him for the next six weeks. He won five of the races and the last race gave her all kinds of problems. She returned him to the Standard bred camp and said that the horse had behavior problems. At this point "Bradley" could barely walk. This is when I was called on to start therapy on him. He was so sweet. The vet came out and did x-rays and stated "Of course this horse has behavior problems, he has three broken legs, we need to put him down". By the woman barrel racing him for six weeks, broke his front left leg. The vet said "This horse is useless"

Bradley just looked at me. I knew at that moment he was coming home with me. My husband had come to work with me that day, I don't know why and said, "Can you help him". For some reason I said "yes".

I told the administrator of the retiree camp, that I would take Bradley home with me so I could care for him on a more consistent basis. His original owner agreed that I would do what ever I could to save him.

The Vet said I would have the most expensive lawn ornament in Florida. Well to make a long story short, he cost me thousands in supplements and time, but he is still with me 11 years later. His legs look crooked and knobbly, but he runs with the other horses and eats grass to his hearts delight. His original owner never kept in touch and I have no idea if he knows what ever became of Bradley.

Prayer out to Barbaro and to all connected to him. His career might be over but his life doesn't have to be.

[KittyWampus]

45. so glad Bradley found his angel!

O8)

[Debau2005]

48. Bless you!

I have a "lawn ornament" of my own. I love him just as much, if not more, then my horses that I can ride. He is the first to greet me in the afternoon, and the last to see me off in the morning.

[Tess49]

49. Thank you for taking care of Bradley. Your story just about

made me cry. Poor fella. I'm glad he found you.

[iamjoy]

54. I Hope It Isn't Just About Money

Even if it is, wouldn't there be a lot of potential stud fees to be made from Barbaro?

I would think the problem would be more how would he tolerate the slings, etc. they will have to use to all but immobilize him while that leg heals. The clips they showed on the news (BEFORE the race) made Barbaro look like a high-spirited and feisty colt - not the type to tolerate those contraptions very well.

I'm glad you were able to save Bradley. In that case, it sound like he was not well cared for (before you), and that caused (or aggravated)his injuries. This (lack of care) does not seem to be case with Barbaro, but the colts temperament still comes into play.

[bobbieinok]

41. only connection with horses/horse racing is reading DFrancis stories

that has made a believer out of me regarding horses' love of racing and the frequent closeness between owners, trainers, jockeys

I read the thread b/c I heard on radio (NPR) before the race about Barbaro and what a great horse he is

[Coventina]

44. Well, I hope this will start a serious dialog about the cruelty of racing

Sure, horses "love to run" and definitely "compete" with each other.

But that is a long, long way from what is done to these poor beasts.

Horse racing is cruel.

Today proves it.

:cry:

[Beausoir]

55. OK...let's start the discussion. Post all you know about the cruelty of

horse racing.

Give links and facts.

I am being serious. I love horses. I must admit to never even thinking about the life of a racing horse.

Is it a terrible fate?

Is it like greyhound dogs? If they don't win or when they get too old they are discarded?

[Coventina]

56. Okay, here's a start:

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown06/news/story?id=2432046

http://www.animalaid.org.uk/racing/video.htm

http://www.idausa.org/facts/racing.html

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE1DE1431F931A25752C1A966958260


According to an article by Michael Korda in Reader's Digest, ". . . horse racing is a cutthroat business. The thoroughbred industry breeds far more animals than it needs, and the only thing that matters is winning races. That means pushing horses hard when they're still young, with soft bones, and sometimes continuing to race them even when they're injured. When animals develop crippling leg problems . . . they can be sold for between $350 and $500 to the slaughterhouse industry and then processed into meat." (Oct. 2003)

[Beausoir]

57. God. I can't stand to read about it. Thank you for those links.

I have 7 acres of woods and a big empty out-building that would convert perfectly to a paddock.

I could shelter a horse. But...my land is not pasture...it's hilly forest.

How else can I help these animals?

[Coventina]

59. Thanks for being willing to help. There are many charities

that can use your help.

Here are links to some:

http://www.nyhr.org/

http://www.chr.org/

http://www.miraclehorse.com/

http://www.indianahorserescue.com/

http://www.ncerl.com/


And many, many more.....

Thanks for caring!!

[bklyncowgirl]

60. Ironicly Barbaro was the poster child for humane racing

His owners bred him themselves and apparently have a personal bond with the horse.

He was very lightly raced and handled with all the care in the world. His trainer Michael Matz came out of show jumping where it's not unusual for horses in their mid teens (the equivelent of a 30-40 something human) to compete in the Olympics.

Barbaro did not live at the track. He lived at the Fair Hill training facility where he could train on a specially cushioned wood chip track, be turned out in a paddock to roam around on his own like a normal horse and apparently even enjoy the occaisional trail ride. Matz wanted to keep his horse mentally and physically sound. Barbaro in some was was handled more like a high level jumper than a race horse.

This is a highly competitive horse doing something he was bred to do. If you watch him before the race, you don't see terror in his eyes, you see excitement and anticipation at running and maybe the pleasure of humiliating another horse. Some horses hate racing and some come to hate it but that wasn't Barbaro.

I even posted something earlier hoping that Barbaro's success would lead other trainers to allow their horses to live a more natural life. Guess that's not going to happen now.

I don't want to see racing banned. I do want to see it more regulated for the well being of the horses. Banning two year old racing and moving the triple crown events up to age four would be a start.

[Coventina]

62. Then I guess you have to ask yourself how many injuries and even deaths

are acceptable for your enjoyment.

Yes, these animals are "bred" for this. Bred and manipulated to perform for our pleasure. They are not given a choice, or capable of weighing the consequences of their actions like human athletes.

[bklyncowgirl]

63. Are you opposed to any use of animals in sport or for pleasure?

I'm not defending people who abuse horses or any other animals. I'm in favor of regulating the sport to minimize abuse. If I had my way, there'd be a complete ban on drugs, for example. If a horse can't make it on hay and oats it should't be racing. If some people drop out of the business because they can't make money any more by pressing unsound animals--good riddence.

I love horses. I own a Thoroughbred who was never raced--his owner felt he was too small to spend the money it would take to train him. In his little equine mind, however, he is the fastest horse in the world. He loves to tease the slower horses in his paddock into running with him, actually lets them pull even with him and then scoots off leaving them to eat his dust. When they give up, he dances to a stop and arches his neck as proud as Secretariat after winning the Triple Crown. There's something in him that makes him want to compete. And they do have some choice. A horse that does not want to run is going to lose races and if it loses enough it's no longer going to be a racehorse. Once again, good caring people will try to find the horse an alternative career. Others will send it to the sales where most likely it will end up at the killers.

Any time you use an animal in a sport whether it's a horse, a dog or whatever, there's a risk that the animal is going to be hurt. Racing puts a strain on horses that no other sport does and that's why the rules for racing should be, in my opinion be so much more strict. From what I've heard of Barbaro's connections, they seem to be good people who took extra care of the horse but even there--a foot twisted the wrong way at high speed--and even the best cared for loved horse in the world can end in tragedy. Of course Barbaro could have done exactly the same thing to himself racing another horse for fun in his own paddock.

I'm not going to apologize for riding my horse or for competing with him in various activities. Even "safe" equine and canine sports have some risks to the animals--my vet once told me that the most common equine injuries she deals with are paddock potato pleasure horses whose owners decide to take them on weekend rides. We try to minimize those risks and look out for the best interests of the animals we love but accidents do happen and sometimes bad things happen to good people.

[Coventina]

64. Yes, I am against horse racing and dog racing and fox hunts and

any other "sport" that puts an animal in jeopardy for human amusement.

As you pointed out, Barbaro was a "best-case scenario" horse. Yet he broke his leg running for the amusement of humans.

Your description of the "choice" horses have whether to race or not is laughable. Sure, they can be laid-back and unmotivated, but they have no understanding of the consequences involved in their "decisions".

You say, "sometimes bad things happen to good people" well, sometimes bad things happen to good animals because they are forced to perform for our selfish desires.

I hope this tragedy sets back horse racing as severely as the tragedy of Ruffian.

[Justpat]

65. A few thoughts on your crusade.

Since 1969, I have had the privilege of working in the horse racing industry as a jockey, exercise rider, assistant trainer,
owner and breeder.

Here are a few things you need to know about how racing operates.

Before every race that is run in this country, every horse entered is examined by the state vet for any signs of lameness
or illness. The vet feels the horses legs for any sign of heat or swelling. Then every horse is jogged away from the vet
and then toward him so he can see how the horse is traveling in front and behind. No horse is allowed to run without going
through this procedure.

Then the horse is watched on the race track by the state vet as it warms up. The vet is also positioned by the starting gate
so if the rider feels anything wrong he/she can tell the vet and they can make a decision whether or not to run the horse.

Your idea that horses are cruelly treated is ignorant and ill informed. The great majority of race horses are taken care
of by people who love them and who love this business. All of us who get up at 4:30 every morning to go to the barn
do so because we love and respect the horses courage, talent and willingness to perform. Horses that show they have absolutely
no aptitude for racing are given other careers. I have in the past never raced a couple of horses because they had injuries
as foals that would have made their racing career doubtful, so I let my daughter make them into show horses.

There is also a false premise to the concept that if horses were simply allowed to be "natural" that their lives would be
free of injury or death. Several years ago I watched a documentary made by a woman out west who followed the life a little
palomino colt from the time he was born until he got big and strong enough to have a herd of his own. Her film showed several
years worth of horse behavior. Her film showed horses breaking their legs running at full speed over rough ground, foals being
killed by the stallion because they were unhealthy and some horses getting left behind because they were lame and could no
longer keep up. It is not all sweetness and light on the prairie.

I am saddened by Barbaro's breakdown. The reasons for it could be an inherited flaw in the bone or an injury sustained in the
Derby that went undetected until the leg was stressed again. But to say that the industry needs to be shut down is equally sad.
You have no idea of what the average racetracker feels about their horses. Your reaction is an emotional response to a
terrible occurrence. I ask that you try to educate yourself a bit before you continue on your soapbox. I extend a personal
invitation to you to come to our barn and see exactly how racehorses are treated and how we live our lives in the company
and care of horses. Send me a PM if you wish to take me up on it.

All the best. OB

[Coventina]

66. Let me clarify some of my positions.

First of all, I do commend you on being a caring, reputable owner, breeder, trainer, etc. It is obvious to me that you do care and love these wonderful animals.

I never meant to imply that *everyone* in the industry is heartless and cruel.

However, even well-meaning people can contribute to cruel situations without being aware that they are doing so.

I know that horse-racing is heavily regulated and there are a lot of safety measures in place to prevent accidents and injuries to the horses and jockeys. But the bottom line is, tragedies can still occur that are 100% preventable if this "sport" didn't exist.

It is one thing for the jockeys, they know the risks, and possible consequences to their actions. The horses do not. Maybe they would still choose to race if they did know, but we can never know for sure (unless some fantastic scientific breakthrough occurs down the road!)

I have no doubt that all the horses that cross your path are cared for and loved. But you know that there are many, many others out there that do not have such happy endings. Ferdinand, a Kentucky Derby winner, ended his life in a slaughterhouse. I'm sure you knew that already!!

I never meant to imply that the life of wild and feral horses is necessarily a good one. We all know that nature is "red in tooth & claw". But, other things being equal, I prefer the cruelty of nature to the cruelty caused by humans. It is a complicated problem with no easy answers, as horses have been biologically altered by humans for thousands of years. We cannot just release them into the wild. I would never present that as any kind of viable solution to the problem.

But you know as well as I do that the surplus of horses does not lead to happy endings for many of these creatures. They don't all end up as show horses, studs and pets.

I hope I have made my position clear. I guess I could briefly summarize my objections to horse-racing as mirroring the reasons why I oppose greyhound racing. Except in many ways, the horses are even more fragile than the dogs.

[Justpat]

69. The issue of what to do with retired horses has been

taken up by the racing world in earnest for the last decade. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was started as a response
to the horrible fate of Exceller. It woke up a lot of owners to the fact that they are responsible for these horses even
when their careers are over. There are many retirement foundations now in existence.

I do not suffer from the delusion that everyone in this business is responsible so it is up to the rest of us to
continue to find ways to make sure the horses are cared for from birth to retirement.

Horseman have been fighting for the end to equine slaughter in this country. The NTRA, national thoroughbred racing association,
has a group that lobbies Washington for this cause.

So I quess we have serious disagreements about racing but I thank you for your respectful reply.


OB

[Coventina]

70. And I thank you as well.

As I said, it is clear that you really care, and I know that people like you are always working to make things better.

It is very generous of you to offer a tour of your facility, which I am sure is quite beautiful and contains beautiful animals I would love to see.

However, I am pretty sure that I live far away from you! And I don't travel much, being on the "no-fly" list and all. :-(

Despite our fundamental disagreement about racing, I know we are both hoping and praying Barbaro lives to a ripe old age.

[Justpat]

71. LOL about the "no-fly" list.

I believe I am on it also.

[bigwillq]

46. I am so upset for Barbaro.

:cry:

[Coventina]

47. Why was this moved to the lounge?

Seems like LBN material to me.

:shrug:

[Jeanette in FL]

51. No kidding

It sure was LBN material. This horse was supposed to make it. I don't understand why it was moved.

[L A Woman]

52. Weird - the Barry Bonds thread is still there....

But at any rate, this is sad to hear. I was hoping he would win and now this. That trainer sure has a rollercoaster of a life, doesn't he?

[Up2Late]

53. It was probably not considered "Political enough" or something.

...Plus there's a Moderator in LBN who I think hates me for some reason.

He/she always seems to move my posts, while letting old (more than 12 hour old) and second-hand sourced posts from others stay in LBN.

I thought this fit as Latest Breaking News too.

[In_The_Wind]

50. It was very sad to watch Barbaro come up lame.

[bklyncowgirl]

61. Barbaro's one hope is that he stood still once he stopped running

If anyone remembers the horror of Ruffian's breakdown, she fought her handlers all the way until drugged into submission. Barbaro, once he realized he was hurt, stopped struggling. Edgar Prado deserves alot of credit for keeping him still until the vets could get to him. It looked like he trusted the humans around him and that's a big plus.

It's still a horrible injury and there's a very good chance that he will have to be put down or live in agony for the rest of his life. I hope his owners make the decision for the good of the horse and not for financial reasons.

Keeping a horse alive when he's in pain because there's money to be made in breeding him would be worse than killing him for the insurance money.

[brook]

67. Update.

Head surgeon flying into Philadelphia to operate. MSNBC says they expect news announcement after surgery - about 4:30 EDT.

Hoping for the best for Barbaro.

[Alleycat]

68. I hope he makes it

I know his racing career is over but hopefully they will be able to fix the leg enough so he can retire and walk without pain. Such a beatiful animal. My thoughts and prayers are with him and the doctors to do a great job.

[aaronbees]

73. Barbaro was remarkably composed

I imagine the adrenaline rush was so great that the pain wasn't quite kicking in yet as he stood there on the track. It was hearbreaking to see him moving his leg up and down like that while waiting for the vets to examine him and the ambulance to arrive. But Barbaro was keeping his weight off the ankle, which he needed to do to prevent further damage. I suppose if there's one thing we can be thankful for it's Prado's work getting him pulled up; it prevented an even more horrible situation like the visual of seeing Ruffian and Go for Wand break down.

Knowing his connections, I think they'll do right by Barbaro and what's best for him ... but that may not be keeping him alive, given the extent of injuries (even more than what they saw last night).

[CountAllVotes]

74. update on Barbaro (still in surgery at the moment) ...

Seems he broke his leg in THREE places. He is still in surgery as of ~20 minutes ago. Normally, they would have put him down at the race track as the injuries are severe it says. :(

>> KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was in surgery Sunday fighting for his life a day after breaking his right rear leg in three places at the Preakness, and the colt's surgeon said he's never worked on so many catastrophic injuries to one horse.

Dr. Dean Richardson was operating at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center for Large Animals and said the procedure could take several hours.

Corinne Sweeney, a veterinarian and the hospital's executive director, said the horse was still in surgery about five hours after it began but that the procedure was near completion. She didn't give any other details on the horse's condition.

<snip>

Richardson outlined Barbaro's medical problems: a broken cannon bone above the ankle, a broken sesamoid bone behind the ankle and a broken long pastern bone below the ankle. The fetlock joint — the ankle — was dislocated. <<

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060521/ap_on_sp_ot/rac_barbaro_surgery_11

:( :( :( I think Barbaro needs a miracle! :( :( :(

:dem: :kick:

[Up2Late]

75. UPDATE: And it IS Good News!

Here's the link:<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2299053&mesg_id=2299053>