Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Horse Sense?

Today's edition of Al's Morning Meeting has an item (second one down) about how people are sending get-well cards, flowers, fruit baskets, etc. to Barbaro (the horse that broke its leg during the Preakness).

(Al points to a Newsvine page that features the AP story -- Newsvine is kind of a collaborative news aggregator site where regular folks can contribute stories.)

In addition, the New Bolton Center at UPenn (where Barbaro is being treated) has set up an online form where you can send a message to Barbaro -- some of the recent messages are displayed on the Barbaro Message Board.

Now, I will be the first to admit it: I am not a horsie person.

I think I may have had a pony ride when I was a kid, but that's about it.

Also, I don't think that I'm a cold-hearted person.

But, people: We're talking about sending e-mail to a horse.

I realize that with many kinds of displays of affection, solidarity, condolence, support, best wishes, etc., the messages are often more for the benefit of the sender and other peers, not the sendee.

But it's sending an e-mail to a horse!

Anyway, you have the address if you'd like to send your own message.

Thanks -- Joe

Tag:

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

they also have been sending baskets of carrots & apples! lol Like the horse knows what's going on???   Ifind it all very odd, I am following the story closely but NOT sending email or apples!
~Julie

Anonymous said...

Being from that culture and having several family members in the industry I can tell you that this is a very big deal to the "horsie" set. That horse is worth millions as a race horse and a thousand times more as a breeder. Throughbred horses are very smart. Secretariat would look up as planes passed over head. They know when they have won a major race.  The "horsie" set was placing hopes on Barbaro to make a gallent run at the Triple Crown. It was a shame.

Someday get out of the office and go tour a horse farm around Virginia.

Anonymous said...

h

Anonymous said...

You're just jealous because you're not getting the cards, flowers, fruit baskets, etc.
Dianna ;-)~

Anonymous said...

Joe you and your readers might be interested in an article a friend sent to me about why they put down a horses when they break a leg and allowed me to publish on my journal.  
Betty
http://journals.aol.com/rap4143/MyDayMyInterests/entries/1495

Anonymous said...

While I am no longer part of the "horsie set", this event goes way beyond just an injury to a magnificent horse. This has brought out the BEST in humanity and the worst at the same time. The message boards in the Racing Area on AOL is full of disgusting, nasty posts about this accident. At the same time, there are many posts that are supportive and show how many people are routing for Barbaro's recovery.Barbaro put his whole heart into winning the Kentucky Derby, and has never been defeated. He would have won the Preakness and as such, would have opened the possibility of ending the drought for the Triple Crown. So we are dealing with the disappointment of this not happening.In fact, Bernardini, the Preakness winner, was pulled from the Belmont Race so as not to further stress him. We admire the strength, the beauty and the courage that these horses demonstrate and may be a metaphor for something more global than just a horse race. There has historically been a spiritual and a magical connection between humans and horses, so the outpouring of support and love for this horse is no surprise to horse lovers all over the world.So this goes way beyond just sending carrots, apples and cards ... it has much more meaning.

Anonymous said...

Would you change your mind if it was Mr Ed?
http://savasecretaryfrominsanity.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

*sigh*

Of course... of course.

You made me go there. -- Joe

Anonymous said...

h

Anonymous said...

Dan -- see above. Thanks -- Joe

Anonymous said...

I think that it is pretty difficult for non-"horsie" people to feel the magnitude of this event. Would that all the injured horses get the support and love that this wonderful horse received.  But until one enters the world of the Equine, fully, can one understand the mystical relationship between horse and humans. This thought, being set aside for a moment, this event is far more than just some kids sending carrots and apples to a great athlete. For a moment, the world set aside their personal woes and concerns and focused on sending prayers and love to an icon of great strength and courage. While Barbaro continues to heal and to fight for his life and the ultimate ability to pass on his incredible genes, let's continue to send a thought or two during our busy days to Barbaro, his trainer, Michael Matz ( who is a legend of courage himself when he ran into a burning plane crash and saved two children) and his owner/breeders who are doing a magnificent job to help this horse to a painless retirement at stud. Also send prayers to his fantastic veterinarians and the folks who are working at New Bolton. Please visit my journal and leave comments of prayers and support. Thank you SO much!

http://journals.aol.com/ourbelovedangels/OurBelovedAngels/

Anonymous said...

Okay JOe, it's not May 24th any more...did we lose a month?!  It's JUNE!!!  Where are our entries for June?!!!  I wrote some good crap in June, and now it's GONE!!!Julie