Originally Posted by Bold Brooklynite

Nothing whatsover will happen.
Barbaro's life or death ... while of particular interest to those of us who populate this forum ... just isn't that important to the rest of the world. It'll be a one-day story ... then it'll be gone.

Originally Posted by Barbaro4Evah

That is such BS it's not even funny. You KNOW this is not true. People who don't know jack s*** about horse racing ask me often about Barbaro.

Watch out DerbyTrail people. This guy will show his true colors on Barbaro soon enough. He's an insensitive *******.

Originally Posted by eurobounce

All points of eating are good ones. But we all know the horse that is in racing condition is underfed to keep him fit and light on his feet. Horses will overeat if given the opportunity. If you think that race horses are treated like kings, try living the life of a horse for 1 year. Move into a room that is 10x10 and spend 20 hours a day there, be fed when someone tells you to be fed, be whipped when being trained and then come back to me and tell me how you like it. Sure most horses have a better chance in captivity but sometimes nature has to take its course.

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

Euro,
You and I have chatted before.
I'll tell you, horses are not underfed, nor are they overfed...if they are being closely monitored.
To have energy, the food must be put in and shoveled out later. In the real world, nobody will do anything to compromise any chances for putting out the horse's best effort.
Have you ever been on the backstretch? If you have, you might have noticed that they have fans blowing cool air when it's warm, feed supplements, on and on....
Heck, they're better treated than some of the folks that live in nursing homes.
Yes, there are heavy handed training methods. Some people get freaked and escalate difficult situations when the horse is just plain scared...and problems result. Just remember, most of the people that are around horses, day in and day out, know them pretty well...and the last thing they want to do is be cruel, mean, or inhumane to them. Most of these people love horses. If they didn't, they would have chosen a different form of employment.

Originally Posted by eurobounce

I would live to live on the backside if I could. You are correct in the feeding of race horses. My favorite part of the backside is how each stall has a cat. But none of the help would do anything to hurt the horses. I know a few years ago there were some people at River Downs arrested for beating horses with shovels on the backside. But I think that is the exception rather the norm. But, the life of a horse isnt that grand--imo.

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Euro, it's a tough issue to wrestle; you're right. And I think what makes it so hard is that, in the end, we'll never really know what the horses think about it. We can read their behavior, their eating habits, etc. and infer from that, but we'll never really know for sure what they think.

DTS, I'm so happy to hear that you breed for soundness. That makes my day to know some people in the game still prize it.

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Euro, it's a tough issue to wrestle; you're right. And I think what makes it so hard is that, in the end, we'll never really know what the horses think about it. We can read their behavior, their eating habits, etc. and infer from that, but we'll never really know for sure what they think.

DTS, I'm so happy to hear that you breed for soundness. That makes my day to know some people in the game still prize it.

Originally Posted by Barbaro4Evah

People who don't know jack s*** about horse racing ask me often about Barbaro.

Originally Posted by Barbaro4Evah

Watch out DerbyTrail people. This guy will show his true colors on Barbaro soon enough. He's an insensitive *******.

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

Genuine Risk,
I'd be so happy to show off my babies to you!
If you're coming up to Saratoga, they're on the way (Catskill exit). Rt 23 west.
A little over an hour out of the way from 87N, but well worth it.
PM me if before you leave NYC.
I think you'd like them.
DTS

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Thank you for the offer; that's so nice!!! And if I come up on the off-season would that be okay? I have a riding buddy who is as addicted as I to all things horse and racing-related and I'm sure would LOVE the chance to see your babies (and grown-ups).

I so badly want to get to Saratoga, but holy cow; the summer gets filled with things I have to do-- most of which are work-related. :(

Originally Posted by sumitas

You are a member of PETA, great, but don't be a wimp. Dirt's gotta go first and foremost as in now. Be replaced by synthetic. Then we'll see where the sport is at and go on from there.

I am looking forward to the Keeneland meet more than Saratoga because they have actually done something to improve safety.

Originally Posted by sumitas

I appreciate your wise post suffolk...horse racing is moving ahead to synthetics, thank God. there are always obstructionists with vested interests that are afraid of change so horse racing will eventually overcome those as well. in the mean time, these tragedies continue...but let's cash this ticket...well said friend.

Originally Posted by eurobounce

Horse racing from the birth of a horse to the death of a horse is not very humane. The good horses are taken care, but are treated like prisoners. Go to any breeding farm and you see a horse in a stall that is like 10x10. The horse it let out for sex and maybe 1 hour of exercise a day in the pasture. The horse is treated like a prisoner. The racing aspect is even worse, you pump the horse full of drugs, barely feed it, put a person on its back and whip it so it can cross the finish line 1st. Horse racing isnt for the horse, it is for a human's pleasure. Everyone on this board love horses and there is no disputing that. However, would some of us still love the horses if there wasnt racing involved. Would we even care about horses if someone didnt introduce us to horse wagering? For me the answer is yes. I struggle with this all the time. If I love something, I want the best for them. I think horses love to race and compete. I really believe there is an inate characteristic in horses to compete. But, I don't think horses appreciate having their testicles cut off, being whipped, being drugged and only eating the amount that keeps them best fit. I would love to see the day where whips are out-lawed in horse racing, I would love to see the day where horses can roam freely in the pasture instead of being locked up in a small stall. Take the money and gambling out of horse racing and we would see how many people trule love horses.