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Around a week ago while driving, I turned on NPR and caught a conversation between NPR broadcaster Warren Olney and a renowned expert on horse racing. The expert (a web search couldn't bring up his name) waxed eloquently about the great thoroughbred Barbaro's certainty to win the Preakness, on the heels of his successful Kentucky Derby run. The guy would even mortgage his house on it.Well, I sure hope the guy didn't mortgage his house because Barbaro, the magnificent 3 year old colt, broke his leg in three places and nearly died. Barbaro is still in danger of dying. Were he not worth a windfall stud rate, he would have already been 'destroyed". Some may call it 'euthanized' but it's murder just the same.
Barbaro, and all race horses, are always in danger of dying. Though their legs are fast, if compromised, they can bring on the horse's demise. Horses cannot support themselves on only three legs. Their weight must be equally distributed across all four limbs. According to equine track veterinarian, Dr. Celeste Kunz, ".... the horse's whole physiology is based around the circulation of their lower limbs. So, his (Barbaro's) gastro-intestinal system... his circulatory system... are dependent on his mobility."
If only the people around Barbaro had his elegance, his majesty, and his heart. But they don't. They're parasites. They'll suck the blood out of any animal who can bring them fortune and fame. I despise horse racing. Dog racing. Hunting. Anything that considers an animal "sport." Cyclist Lance Armstrong volunteered to ride. Olympic runner Carl Lewis made a decision to run. An injury to either of them would have been devastating... but they understood the consequences when they 'decided' to compete. Barbaro didn't 'decide'. He complied. And in return, nearly died.
