Hiya, FsOB! TGIF, what a week, glad it is almost over. May each of you have a safe & productive Friday. I am not looking forward to commuting to & from RI in what promises to be a torrential day for coastal CT. Peace, RMH

#### Everyone, please send good thoughts to Erin Brown and her family. She has been through so much since Easter and I sense real exhaustion in her Mother's most recent post on Caring Bridge. ####

Recapturetheglory is coming at you, Big Brown!

It may be a tall order, but there's no way the Preakness undercard will be allowed to undermind the main event!

It'll be a feat to defeat the brittle feet.

Be sure to tune in.

Rob

Good morning everyone,

Alex, since I will be at Lone Star Park for the Lone Star Derby, I will root for Poni Colada for you. May they all come home safe.

Run with the wind Barbaro and Eight Belles.

Good morning everyone,TGIF!

Love to Barbaro and Eight Belles.

Good Morning Everyone and Happy Weekend.....May all horses race safe this weekend. Thinking of Chelokee and missing Bobbi and Belles.

Good Friday Morning FOBs - TGIF

What a week - I agree. We need the weekend to recuperate. Have a great day everyone.

Janice
A forever FOB

because we all need to laugh. i know many of you has kittehs...yu'll love this website: also horses, dogs, etc etc...

http://icanhascheezburger.com/

love you guys. We actually are almost done with this evil week,,,

###Joe at TBFriends recently recommended the fugly blog (fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com) and yesterday's entry has a link with pictures, closeup, of several angles of Big Brown's feet and his $550 shoe job.

If you want to see "scary," check it out.

###Alex, hope I did not break any rules by bringing this up.

###Good day to all--safe travels.

Good morning to everyone, loved hearing Peter's observations on Nicanor. Yes, he is a beautiful baby and the eyes, It's wonderful to see that look again. He and Barbaro are (two)in a million.
May all good things come to you Nicanor.
(and Lentenor too)

As always love you Barbaro heart & soul!!!

for all who asked about Legacy: Heartbutt was successfully gelded yesterday. Belle and George are in her own words, DOING GREAT.

If you go onto the Mare Stare website, and pull up LATEST POSTS OF TRACEY you'll get the skinny. She talks a lot about the KD and a trip she and the Man took to Kentucky a couple of years ago...

It's stuff that wouldn't get past and onto this Board, so you'll have to read for yourselves...it's a good look at the issue of TBs
through the eyes of a draft breeder...

Love y'all

Morning skritches to the BBH, Sir JH, Gorgeous George, Belle and the rest of the gang of superior Heavenly Equines.

For them on this free for all Friday:

MORNING POST SHELLEYA, DEBRA, WI/AAHS

STRATEGY FOR FRIDAY MAY 9

Back by popular demand.....FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY. This is the day that you can go back over your lists and make that extra call to those that you feel are getting close.

Since we are targeting Reps, we specifically need help gathering the names of those Reps who you feel are close to cosponsoring HR503. Once we have this information, we can target this list and possibly see a quicker conversion for support. Please email all info on this directly to us through the DB on ABR.

Right now we have a tremendous amount of momentum. We must keep that going and not let up. For the present time, we will be targeting Representatives. The number of co-sponsors that we need is 218. We currently have 201. This is very achievable based on feedback we’ve been getting.

Please mention Americans Against Horse Slaughter and remind them that we are a non funded, grassroots group of people from across the country brought together for the sole purpose of passing this legislation. It is important that they know we have NO OTHER agenda.

Remember, "WE ARE BARBARO'S VOICE"...let it be heard!!

Thanks again for all that you do and have a great weekend and a Happy Mother’s Day

Shelley and Debra
Americans Against Horse Slaughter

Posted by: ShelleyA at May 8, 2008 11:13 PM

Cheers,
Friar Tuck

Enjoy or "Free for all Friday" everyone! And, make as many calls as you can. We're so close to our goal.

Do it for Barbaro, Eight Belles and all who are close to our hearts.

Hello everyone,

I don't get to post much but am always here.

Love to Barbaro, Nicanor and Lentenor

I just read the post from last night from Karen that had the text of Jeremy Plonk's article from espn.com. It was very interesting. Also, I recall someone here posting a few days ago that they saw an interview on Monday with jockey Corey Nakatami talking to Bob Baffert saying he heard what sounded like Eight Belles whinnying in what might have been distress during the race. Can anyone extrapolate on that further?

Good Morning All,

Barbaro you live in my Heart.

Good morning wonderful creatures at MHR. Jerri might today be the day?

FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!

For Barbaro, for Fitch, for Apache, for Ho'pats, for Windchill and all horses.

Ro & Brady

Mornin' frens,
I'm so glad this week is over.

May you all have happy mothers days.

Eight Belles, you won't be forgotten, valiant one.

Barbaro, have a great day in heaven with your posse.

####3
((((((((BARBARO)))))
(((((((EIGHT BELLES)))))

((((((FOBS))))))

Good Morning Barbaro

Watch in the heavens...saw a beautiful star...we know you are painfree, happy...but we miss you...and love you so much.

Good Morning Family/Fans Of Barbaro

PLEASE CALL, FAX, EMAIL....PLEASE

Please remember and help our rescues, our Fallen Angels, the ones suffering human or animal, our wildlife, and always our loving family...we are united, we are strong...we GET IT!

Have a nice day.

####
Good Morning Alex.
Good Morning Tim and Fair Hill.
Our Fallen Angels...we are here.

####
Jerri...we are watching...
Georgia, Belle, Tracey, Heartbutt...take care, in our hearts and prayers...

EVERYONE OF YOU FOBS...ARE SO SPECIAL!

Great article today in Lexington's Herald Leader

HORSE RACING

Bold action sought on safety issues

Animals, horseshoes, race surfaces examined
By Maryjean Wall
MWALL@HERALD-LEADER.COM

As a scientist who studies why horses break their legs, Dr. Wayne McIlwraith is glad to see industry groups meeting to study what can be done to improve racehorse safety.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association's board of directors will meet Friday, and The Jockey Club's newly formed Thoroughbred Safety Committee will meet Wednesday.

But, if horse racing is going to talk a better game, in McIlwraith's view the industry needs to walk the walk.

"I just feel like, some areas of the industry, they're not living it," said McIlwraith, a professor and director of the Orthopedic Research Center at Colorado State University.

On Thursday, McIlwraith became the second internationally known equine orthopedic surgeon to comment on racehorse safety.

Dr. Larry Bramlage of Lexington told the Wall Street Journal: "We are at a crisis state. ... Pretty soon we won't have the animals that can go in more than one race."

"I just sent him an e-mail," McIlwraith said Thursday, telling how he congratulated Bramlage on his bold stand.

"We've got to get bold," McIlwraith added.

McIlwraith has seen a good number of broken horse bones in his veterinary career. He travels to California every other week to perform orthopedic surgery on racehorses. He also participates with an engineer from the University of Maine, Mick Peterson, in studies on the safety of racing surfaces.

Like other scientists who study fractures and racehorse safety, McIlwraith contends the industry has come far in the two years since Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro broke a hind leg in the 2006 Preakness.

He said it is his hope that the body of knowledge scientists have been accumulating will help Thoroughbred racing make great strides forward in safety in the next few years.

Regardless of the scientific knowledge becoming available, people still need to select racehorses for durability and not so much for speed, according to McIlwraith.

"People are buying the fastest horse and we're at the critical stage of effectiveness of racing versus makeup of the body," he said. "We may have gone too far evolving to the fastest, lightest animal."

McIlwraith's research with Peterson looks at the way track surfaces perform and how they hold up under ambient conditions, including moisture content.

Their research method employs a robotic hoof tester to measure the vertical stiffness of both dirt and synthetic racetracks. Vertical stiffness of a track has been linked to the likelihood of fractures, according to The Blood-Horse magazine.

The robotic tester also measures horizontal shear strength, which has been linked to the likelihood of soft-tissue injuries such as ligament and tendon ruptures.

Peterson said they are also measuring moisture content, which has been most helpful on dirt tracks. For this, they use a GPS system.

"Eventually, I see this going into the data base (begun last year by The Jockey Club) to see what it is we need to control," Peterson said.

On synthetic tracks, they measure the wax content to try to determine when and when not to add wax to the fibers that form the surface material.

Peterson cited numbers produced in a database being compiled from 60 tracks by a veterinarian in Florida, Dr. Mary Scollay, for the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation in Lexington.

"We're seeing a 25 percent reduction" of catastrophic fractures on synthetic tracks, Peterson said.

Those figures, frequently cited recently in the wake of Eight Belles' breakdown after the Derby, show 1.47 deaths per 1,000 starts on synthetics and 2.07 deaths per 1,000 races on dirt tracks. The Derby is run on a dirt track.

"But it's not all the track," said Peterson, speaking in generalities about track surfaces. Researchers have found a number of other factors contributing to fractured horse bones.

McIlwraith agreed.

"Surfaces are obviously an issue," he said. "Synthetics were initially pushed as a panacea but people have to learn how to maintain them. Properly maintained, they lower the injury rate."

Other factors contributing to breakdowns include the height of the toe grab and the traction mechanism on the front horseshoes. This information has been widely disseminated within the industry.

Researchers have also learned that major leg fractures are the end result of microfractures that could have begun quite some time before the main event.

Dr. Sue Stover at the University of California, Davis, led researchers in making these two major discoveries.

As a result of her work, California has a rule limiting the height of the toe grab to 4 millimeters or less. In many states, there is no such limit.

Stover's work was groundbreaking. More recently, she has begun to demonstrate that horses are returning to racing too soon after injuries or time away from the track, exposing them to greater risk of injury.

In her lab at UC Davis, "we're trying to work synergistically (with other research efforts), taking the material properties of track surfaces and applying them to a computer model of the forelimb, to simulate racing across the track surface," she said.

She said she hopes to test an infinite number of possibilities of track surface composition this way, so that engineers can design a model track.

Ed Bowen, president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, also agreed that research is showing the synthetic tracks to be a step forward -- although the synthetics appear to be only one part of the puzzle researchers have been solving.

When combined with Stover's discovery that many injuries are the result of pre-existing conditions -- and that toe grabs also play a role in breakdowns -- racing has something to work with.

McIlwraith said he and others hope to have a kit available commercially in the next couple of years that veterinarians can use in the field to detect the micro-injuries.

But he says the industry is also going to have to change, and to begin to reward durability more than speed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THIRD GRADERS WHO HAVE NOTHING GET IT.
JOE HONORS THEM: & THE EFFECT OF EIGHT BELLE'S DEATH SURFACES EVERYWHERE.`
*************************************************
Friday, May 9th... The morning journal today is dedicated to the following:

Destiny Vazavez
Alia Yah
Nahomy Vasquez
Christian Villafana
Emily
Sebastian
Henry
Jeremiah
Monica
Monesha Claggett
Robert Bazua
Angel Delgado
Kevin Leon
Livette
Olivia Vasquez
Lizabeth Andrade
Henry Toribio
Merieneiana Arriaga
Jesus
Iram
Mrs. Cheryl Dean - teacher at Valle del Sol Elementary School in Coachella, California. Her 3rd Grade Class.

Not much money in the town of Coachella. These kids have very little. Yet they collect cans and bottles, turn them in for cash, and then send the money to help horses in need. The kids write Cathy and I letters, complete with drawings of horses and barns.

And so today I dedicate my morning ramblings to the 3rd grade class in Coachella. Horses are universal. Your e-mails this week prove how horses are loved all over the world.

There is an attorney in San Francisco who wants to help Alissa with her advertising campaign. Free of charge. There is a newspaper person in Los Angeles who also wants to help. More than 400 e-mails for Alissa, who hopes for the abuse and deaths of race horses to stop.

One of my favorite letters came from Kristin. She is 14, and lives in Santa Rosa, California. Kristin gives me permission to share. This is part of what Kristin has to say: My dad is a tough guy, but when Eight Belles died he cried like a baby. He was embarrassed when my sister and I saw him crying. We went out to eat and no one talked about Eight Belles. It was really quiet. All of a sudden in the middle of dinner my dad says we should go around the table and tell how much we mean to each other. There was my mom and dad and my little sister and my brother. We all took turns telling how much we love each other. This would never have happened if Eight Belles was still alive. Our family never says this stuff. We know we love each other, we just never say it. When Eight Belles died she made something in my dad change. He got all mushy, and this was the best family dinner we ever had. I told them about your ranch, and we would like to come visit and maybe someday I can get my own horse. Or at least maybe I could hug one of your horses. I wish I had lots of money to help Alissa. I hope Eight Belles is chewing on green grass in heaven. Thanks for listening. Kristin.

To the 3rd Grade class in Coachella, California. We love your letters and your drawings. Thank you very much for recycling cans and bottles, and helping our horses. It is difficult to fully express what this means to my wife and I. We really appreciate your thoughts and efforts. Thank You.

Joe

In 2007 we found new homes for 529 horses, and here are 4 of them.

Top Left: Noelle is with Charlie Pink. If you made a list of the nicest people on earth, Noelle would be at the top.

Top Right: Stephanie from Woodland is with her handsome new guy R Tax Man.

Bottom Left: Maddie and her new gelding Flaming Al. Flaming Al is one of my all time very favorite horses.

Bottom Right: In cold and wet weather our friends Becky and Brooke came to adopt Super Coy, and he is a hunk.

#######At least this is making news here in Texas. So the meat just recently processed in Mexico had been being shipped out of Mexico and it is more economical to try to bring it back into Texas for shipment, is that the why this has just now come up????

May 8, 2008, 11:07PM
Horsemeat can't be shipped through Texas, Abbott rules
Mexico routes meat through state for export overseas

By LISA SANDBERG
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

TOOLS
Email Get section feed
Print Recommend (1)
Comments (5) Yahoo! Buzz
AUSTIN — Selling or possessing horsemeat for human consumption is illegal in Texas. And now, apparently, so is the shipment of horsemeat through Texas to markets overseas.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued an opinion this week saying the state's prohibition on horsemeat for human food would almost certainly apply to the transport of horsemeat, too.

The opinion was hailed by anti-slaughter activists and decried by attorneys for foreign-based slaughterhouses in Mexico, who until last year used Texas ports and airports to ship their product to Europe, where horsemeat is a delicacy.

Horsemeat is not eaten in the United States and the sacrifice of American horses to satisfy foreign palates faces stiff opposition in some areas.

Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, who supports horse slaughter, said he requested the opinion after being approached last year by an attorney for a slaughterhouse in Mexico. He was disappointed by the ruling.

"Mexico kills horses, whether we like it or not, and people in France eat them. And sometimes the slaughterhouses like to ship the meat out of Corpus or Houston," Chisum said.

Mexico gets Texas horses
The ruling did not address the more contentious issue of American horses being sent to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada. Court rulings last year closed the last remaining horse slaughter plants in the United States, but did not close the borders.

In the first 3 1/2 months of this year, 14,000 American horses were sent into Mexico and slaughtered, the vast majority from Texas, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. And 12,000 American horses were sent to Canadian slaughter plants in the first two months of this year.

Horse slaughter opponents celebrated Abbott's opinion as yet another obstacle for those who trade in what they consider companion animals.

"They thought this would be one more chance to thumb their noses at us, to say, 'We're still going to bring our horsemeat back into Texas,' " said Chris Heyde, deputy director of the Animal Welfare Institute, an animal protection group in Virginia.

Ann Diamond, an assistant district attorney with the Tarrant County District Attorney's office, said horsemeat from Mexico was shipped out of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport until last year. Her office attempted to crack down on the practice and was unsuccessfully sued by two Belgium-owned horse slaughter plants.

American Airlines has stopped shipping horsemeat from Texas, a spokesman for the airlines said Thursday.

Legislation that would close the borders to slaughter-bound horses is pending in Congress. U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., sponsor of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, said "quiet negotiations" have been taking place in the House to get a vote on the bill this year. A companion bill is pending in the Senate.

lsandberg@express-news.net

Karen Macmanus - Dallas, Texas

Update on Erin

Anne was tired yesterday and did post an update. All is well.

I need everyone's prayers for a special horse. Day Bue is a 10 year old TB who we and CANTER helped save. He had surgery on bone chips in his knees. All was going well until a few weeks ago. They thought he had developed a small problem they could take care of. Now we are worried he has osteomyelitis of the cannon bone (infection). He is on his way to Ohio State University.

He is just the sweetest thing. PLEASE send your prayers his way.

Good Friday Morning Finally,
A chilly one today, low 50's...buuuuuuur. I can't wait to go to SCR tomorrow we have a couple new horse,I'll need extra peppermints for Sam and Woody.

Good Morning Barbaro the love of my heart.

Eight Belles.

Cherokee Devotional May 9 [sharing email from Harriette Brillianthawk]

Sometimes half spoken and beyond hearing are the source of difficulty. Only in the bright light of reason and understanding can these cloudy mishaps be corrected. Some are simply tuned to hear the negative---even when it was never intended to be. They hear with an ear that is already bent toward trouble and only too willing to pass it on. We might consider what we want to hear--because everyone has moments when words tumble out with little meaning. Whether it is a slip of the tongue or simply filling in a quiet spell, we are sometimes guilty of speaking when we should have been listening. The tongue is a little member and sometimes kindles quite a fire when it should have spit on the matches.

We are becoming like them....all talkers and no workers.

Black Hawk

EXTRA FRIDAY 5/09 NATIONAL TARGET LIST (HAHS)

Today's extra HAHS List now posted below and at this DB Thread:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=23486.1

Stress the importance of cosponsorship & getting S 311/HR 503 to a vote.

Heads-Up - per Daryl Smoliak's feedback/request: Ask the Sens who may support (plan to vote for) S 311 but don't want to cosponsor, to send a brief "letter of support" to Sen Mary Landrieu, sponsor of the Senate Bill. Similarly - ask Reps in that position re HR 503, to send such a "letter of support" to Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky, sponsor of the House Bill.

Here's something to add to ALL your contacts please - and the 800 numbers for your convenience on all calls.

IMO - convey the website vetsforequinewelfare.org to all your contacts - to counteract the position of the 2 big vet ass'ns. Links to VEW's two 2007 antislaughter releases and their recently-released 2008 WHITE PAPER are at the DB Thread noted above.

Use these DC 800 numbers and ask for the legislators by name (or ask for extension, last 5 numbers of each legislator's office phone).

800-828-0498 800-828-1887 800-614-2803

You know the drill - don't address this list until AFTER you have followed today's ABR/AAHS Strategy and the instructions of your Group Leader (and if you don't have one, get one, or become one!) - contact our intrepid State Group co-ordinator, Stephanie Breaux sbreaux1@verizon.net

AND use the CURRENT/NEW Talking Points from ABR Strategy when contacting this extra HAHS list as well as when contacting the ABR daily lists.

1. Let [the legislators] know that two of the slaughter houses in this country are closed permanently [since January], and the third (Cavel) has lost their appeal and [is now also closed]. It is URGENT that we now get this legislation passed to STOP THE TRANSPORT of horses to Canada and Mexico. It's VERY important that you stress the cruel and inhumane way these horses are transported. Now is the time to focus on the fact that closing down our slaughter houses is NOT enough but that we must pass this FEDERAL legislation to stop the transport of American horses for slaughter.

2. Let your Senators know that we NEED them as co-sponsors for S311 to get this on the calendar and to the floor for a vote.

3. Tell your Congressman that we need their cosponsorship for HR503 to get this bill out of committee and to the floor for a vote.

4. Dispel the "unwanted" horse theory. Read John Holland's information for more talking points.

5. Closing of all three slaughter houses in the United States helps to reinforce our efforts. We can now dispel the idea that American jobs will be lost due to the end of slaughter. Only Mexico and Canada will now profit from OUR horses being slaughtered!! This is a very important point and one that you should all make when talking to your legislators.

Rhetorial Question Du Jour:
ANY EXTRA TIME/ENERGY/PASSION FOR THE HORSES?
Here is today's (Friday 5/09/08) extra National Target List from HAHS (Humanity Against Horse Slaughter). These legislators are targeted by other groups on specific days, so our voices add to the impact.

Don't forget to mention S 311 (Senators) & HR 503 (Representatives); ask them to cosponsor - and please use the Talking Points from the ABR Strategy (posted above), reasons why to support the end of horse slaughter and export for slaughter NOW.

Changed Circumstances call for a Fresh Look with an Open Mind. The closure of Cavel is a HUGE changed circumstance.

PLEASE NOTE: Per the ongoing ABR national strategy "...[I]t is important when you make your calls, you request they support and VOTE YES for ANY legislative measure that will ban horse slaughter and export for slaughter. In addition to the Daily Call List, please contact your own senators and representative with this message."

adding this CAVEAT from recent ABR Strategy:

"Remember…….these calls are to gain co-sponsors and support for HR503 and S311. As difficult as it is, please concentrate on the transport of the horses to slaughter more than the conditions in Mexico. We can’t let anyone who is not well informed come to the conclusion that it would be better to have the plants in this country because of the conditions in Mexico."

Friday 5/09 Extra HAHS List -

Prior HS History - All the Senators on today's list voted for the Ensign-Byrd Agriculture Appropriations Amendment in September 2005.

MINNESOTA
Senator Norm Coleman
Fax: 202-224-1152 Phone: 202-224-5641
320 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-2303

NEBRASKA
Senator Chuck Hagel
Fax: 202-224-5213 Phone: 202-224-4224
248 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-2704

Senator Ben Nelson
Fax: 202-228-0012 Phone: 202-224-6551
720 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-2705

NEVADA
Senator Harry Reid
Fax: 202-224-7327 Phone: 202-224-3542
528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-2803

IF you're done with today's ABR/AAHS Instructions & State directions & the above list and STILL want to do more - you can go to post 2 of the Thread noted above, for a good alternate target list of Senators compiled by AWI/SAPL.

Pls email me potlucky@sbcglobal.net re specific details re your HAHS contacts, such as what concerns an aide may have expressed, whether you were told the legislator "supports" the bill, did they tell you they only consider input from constitutents, or that he/she doesn't cosponsor due to a committee or leadership position, anything like that. I will make sure our strategy experts are duly advised; this kind of feedback factors into future plans.

THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR THE HORSES! Go get 'em.

LIVING PROOF OF THE LIVING TRUTH

Hope Peace Love Music & RESPECT - CJ the craziest catlady (Blackie's Mother Forever & Shona's aunt) in Hammond IN, f/k/a CJ of T Bar J (Elgin iL)

Harriette-Thanks for the Lexington Hearld Leader article.

Alex,sorry it's chilly where you are. It's supposed to be close to 100 degrees here today in South Texas. Will root for Poni Colada too! Love that name!

"God's Love In Rainbows

From God's Loving Heart
The Most Beautiful Rainbow Barbaro
His Wings Of Love
God's Glowing Angel Eight Belles
God's Angels Of Divine Hope Nicanor And Lentanor
Barbaro's Famblee Of So, So So Beautiful Angels
Here
Your Wings Of Love
Angel Mothers
Rainbow Boquets
Barbaro's Halo Is Glowing So, So So Beautifully
All The Colors Of The Rainbow
The Circle Of Love
In Hearts
In Roses
In Halos
The Circle Of Angels
Your Angelic Hearts
The Rainbow Of God's Love
God Made The Most Beautiful Mothers Here
Mrs. Gretchen Jackson "Angel Of Love"
Many Special Blessings To All Of You
Divine Inspiration
Divine Connection
Angel Barbaro.......

8........Halos........Two Hearts........Connected
In Love......The Basket Of Rainbows Inside.......
.

Affirmed Rainbows........
Sacred Prayers......

Affirmed Prayers......
God And The Angels Are With You......
Jesus.......

Affirmed Knowing.......
Barbaro's Rainbow........
His Angels........

Affirmed

((((((((((((((((((((((((DEE))))))))))))))))))))))))))

A joyous Mothers Day to you, girl, for all the nurturing you do for this group, day after day, even on days when we are lower than whale you-know-what.

I don't know anything about your "other" life, hunny, but you are so loved here. xxoo j

Hi Karen,

From my understanding, the State Rep from Pampa,TX asked Greg Abbott, the AG, to rule if the TX law that ban horse slaughter also bans the shippment of horsemeat from Texas. The Mexican slaughterhouses wanted to ship the meat from DFW airport to Europe and Japan because it was cheaper than shipping from it from Mexico. That is what prompted the ruling. Too bad he couldn't go one step further and say the horses couldn't be shipped across the border for slaughter. Maybe that is a bill that should be introduced in the TX legislature.

Dearest Angel Dee...

I second Jonna's post...Happy Mother's Day to such a sweet, loving soul. I so look forward to your daily e-mails because of the love and rainbows.

You give me hope, dearest one...

Healing, Love, Peace
ONS
Padme

FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive

We have raised over $800 so far for rescued horses in close to 3 weeks. That is wonderful! Please remember that small donations of $1-$5 dollars is all we are asking for, but all donations are welcome.

Our next drive saddens all of us. It is in honor of the life of Twinkle Toes and in his memory. When his name was put on the list, there was hope that he could be helped. But the x-rays showed that he could not be helped except by giving him a loving release from pain. Last week he was lovingly given that help and is now with Barbaro. But this drive will still take place in hope of helping another horse at Founder Rehab in his honor and in his memory.
So in memory of the sweet pony who won our hearts, lets help another.

Remember we want your pocket change. Small donation of $ to $5 are Welcomed and NEEDED.

But if you use Paypal, the least you can give is $1.50 to take care of all the fees. $1.50 to $6.00 is all we are asking for, but all donations of any size are welcome. We have a long list of rescues and it continues to grow.

To donate in the memory of Twinkle Toes at Founder Rehab use this email address for Paypal :

donations@founder-rehab.com

For snail mail:

The Founder Rehabilitation Ranch

4190 Leon Drive

Clayton, CA 94517

If you only have a buck to spare, please know that your buck is welcome. It can help a horse in honor of Twinkle Toes.

Please report your donations on the FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive thread on the discussion forum.

We need $50.

Thank-you.

Margie

Mourning Eight Belles /Miami Herald.com

#####this is a comment posted on the site of the article written about Mourning Eight Belles. And it raises questions. One thing that I would like to add to my list of "racing changes" is to limit the number of races for each horse, give them time to rest and be sound in between each race, obviously each race is different and some are very hard like the up coming Preakness.

What I would like to know is can you see her ankels hyper-extended from the video (as the writer of the comment states)?? Can or has anyone seen it? Is this being looked into along with the question Chris asked earlier are they looking into the "whinnying" sound Belles was making that jockey Corey Nakatami heard which would have meant she was in distress. I know this is just a comment but it does cause one to think "what if these comments are true".

Comments
55 HORSE DEATHS IN TWO YEARS AT DEL MAR RACE TRACK 2004-2006 So how many other equine deaths are there every year that go unnoticed in a sport that's largely ignored on a day-to-day basis? Let's just take one track, like Del Mar near San Diego: 55 deaths from 2004-06, says the San Diego Union-Tribune I have seen this time and time again. Horses pushed beyond when they should be. They can be forced to run to their death as I have seen many times before. After reviewing the video any trained eye can see Eight Belles front ankles hyper extending as she is being WHIPPED LITERALY TO DEATH. She was weak and NOT SOUND CLEARLY SEEN ON VIDEO during her victorias final race. I would imagine her ankles were bruised and weak FROM HER 9 PREVIOUS RACES not giving the YOUNG filly a chance to recover. May God Bless Eight Belles as I saw this happen to my own mare but I pulled her from the old owners after she collapsed by running her heart out. She lived and is with us today if only I could of done this for Eight Belles. There are a few mares/horse very few who will not fight back no matter how much they are hurting. She was one that would die for her owner and she did. She was on in a million to have been like this to not fight back and a very special mare. This is a long race and now to continue the abuse in the name of greed even knowing full well Big Browns feet are bad the owners press on to the Preakness in just two weeks. Barbaro was not ready to run again. He was injured going into the derby. This sport is mean and cruel and for those hundreds of horses who are bread to run and never even make it pass Los Alamitos or those who run even in the derby are never heard from again. I do not need to tell anyone where these horses end up. Especially now the Warmbloods are the choice of the hunter jumpers. I hope the owners have a chance to read this as do Eight Belles trainer. You know it and I know it. Training for over 20 years would how could you of missed this? ENJOY YOUR SECOND PLACE EARNINGS . Besides these horses are all insured for their deaths. There is still money to collect from the insurance even when dead. We love your heart Eight Belles we love your spirit and I am so sorry this world is cruel.

Posted by: lavictus

5/9/2008 10:36 AM

Rest in peace Eight Belles!!

Karen Macmanus Dallas, Texas

BARBARO, EIGHT BELLES, RUFFIAN ,JOHN HENRY, LOST IN THE FOG....SOME OF THE GREATS... MISS YOU BELLES, & BARBARO... DON'T FORGET TO PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR FALLEN ANGELS, AND THOSE IN NEED.. DIANE

Dear Frens: Re Texas legislation:

It is my hope that someone there will challenge the shipment of "meat-on-the-hoof" through the State of Texas. Perhaps getting a KB transporter to have to describe his "cargo" as either "MEAT-animals," or to have to say under oath:

"...um, no, You're Honor...those are racehorses and companion animals. Um...er, ahem...uh, yes, they ARE going to slaughter houses in Mexico."

Perhaps admissions such as these, uttered in a court challenge, would help to create a catch-22-type of problem for the business of transporting horses to Mexico.

Additionally; Re Kentucky:

It's just too sad, and extremely disquieting that the great horse-state of Kentucky, (of ALL states), has actively sought, and is party to setting up a more vigorous exchange of American horses to the Mexican (quote-unquote),"horseracing industry.

HEllo-o-o-o, that particular country embraces horse-slaughter...the brutal killing of Kentucky's beloved "bread and butter," indu$try.

What's up with that?

Your FOB Fren, O

HARRIETTE, THANKS FOR YOUR INFORMATION.. ALSO YOUR BEAUTIFUL WORDS & POEMS WHEN YOU POST THEM... YOUR SUPER
DIANE

Otherlyn,
I know what you are saying and they so proudly say "We are the horse Capital"...ugh. It makes me sick.

Im just so tired of these people posting how cruel trainers and owners are to their horses. Some people just live in fantasy worlds and make up what they would like to believe as truths. These people need to spend some time on the backside of a track and just see how mistreated the horses really are. Stop reading fables and go see the truth. The horses are cared for better than most people. Horses get hurt, it's the nature of the business. And if racing is halted, as some people clamor for. Better get ready for the alternative. And it isn't pretty. If all these horses cant race just WHERE do you think they'll wind up????
It costs money to keep horses, and do you think an owner of 30 or so will keep them as pets???..
So be careful what you wish for.

Hi guys...haven't been able to post here much due to aol/computer problems. Hope that's fixed now.

I know Willie Nelson is a spokesman against horse slaughter and has rescued many horses himself.
But I wanted to take a moment and post the lyrics of a song of his that reminds me so of our Eight Bells....

"If you had not have fallen
Then I would not have found you
Angel flying too close to the ground
And I patched up your broken wing
And hung around a while
Tried to keep your spirits up
And your fever down
I knew someday that you would fly away
For love's the greatest healer to be found
So leave me if you need to
I will still remember
Angel flying too close to the ground
Fly on, fly on past the speed of sound
I'd rather see you up
Than see you down
Leave me if you need to
I will still remember
Angel flying too close to the ground"

Eight Bells..."Fly on, fly on past the speed of sound..."

Everyone,

Have you noticed that by the ABR banner up top the ads by Google is PETA's call to end racehorse cruelty?

Ro & Brady

mike c,
Like in all sports you have good and bad treatment.I have been on the backside at times, and so was my father what I saw was good,he saw another side. What people who make living there see is all together different it is there REAL life. It is like putting a bad child in public,you tell him to be on his best behavoir. When he is out of the public eye and home things go back to normal behavoir.

Lets hope the good stay good and the bad are taken out.

Rosemarie,
All I see is the American's Against Horse Slaughter Banner.

Renee,
Next to Alex Brown Racing banner.

OoooooK, I didn't click on it.

Mike C, We just need to put our energies into making it as safe as possible for horses and riders. Also, a total ban would make it go underground, backyard racing, with NO 'outside eyes' watching. People need to know that this type of stuff DOES go on. One was uncovered right here last week.

Neither did I. I just thought it was ironic!

Ro & Brady

###Oh, mike c....your words...

"Horses get hurt, it's the nature of
the business. And if racing is halted,
as some people clamor for. Better get
ready for the alternative. And it isn't
pretty. If all these horses cant race
just WHERE do you think they'll wind up????
It costs money to keep horses, and do
you think an owner of 30 or so will keep
them as pets???..
So be careful what you wish for."

...what a sad picture your words paint.

The, so-called fables, go hand-in-hand with the truth. We are simply sorting it out here. Discussing what is in our hearts and minds. Hoping that some solutions will be discovered to create a better way for ALL....all that is, but the heartless and cruel.

When it comes to the cruel "use" of intelligent creatures, who posses a sense of being, and who interact with and serve humans, those creatures deserve protection.

There must be a better way, for the horses, and those who are connected to them to fulfill the purpose of their very existence.

Some of us see the racing world from a different perspective than some others.

I think I may confidently say, that trying to "see" what is best for the horses first, is the main objective of the FOBs.

It is our hope that hard core 'industry' people, with all of their experience and interaction with their charges, will be willing to remove the "blinders" and so, help to see a way out of this into a better, kinder, and safer way for all...especially for the horses.

So glad that you are here with your input, mike.

The Love of the Frens will make the difference.

Your FOB Fren, O

Margie,
You are so right. I can understand Mike being upset. Horse Racing the sport of kings won't go under. A few adjustments and off they go safe and sound. That is why that jockey wrote the book to help make changes in the industry and make the public aware.

###additional remarks to my post to mikec:

Most of us are not advocating an END to horseracing...just to a safer way for it to continue, as the TRUE and NOBLE Sport Of Kings.

Otherlyn,
What a gracious lady and fren you are sweetie. God Bless your beautiful heart and spirit!

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/article/45114.htm

Rick Dutrow, who once ran Golden Man in the Long Branch Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth on a Saturday and the Leonard Richards Stakes (gr. III) at Delaware the following day (finishing third and second, respectively), is not thrilled about having to run Big Brown back in two weeks in the May 17 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), but remains A question: confident his colt will run another big race.

*****************************************
A question: Why would someone race a horse twice in 2 days?

I have my own feelings about him. ??????????

####Dee, I second Jonna's post to you wholeheartedly!!! She said it all.

Judy

Dee,
I third that thought. You are our special Angel.

### You people have been watching too much TV! Horse do not whinny in distress when running. I swear that is the most stupid quote I have heard so far. It almost makes me bust out laughing that people believe that. Only a non horse person could say that. that crap only happens in the movies when they add sound effects. I frankly am getting sick of the racing bashing on here too. I am realistic enough to know what is wrong and dont like it. But I AM A RACING FAN! that is why i am here. Alex- make it stop! jen

For the record, I was paraphrasing something I had read earlier in the week.

Jen, if those of us not involved directly with horse racing don't ask questions then how will we ever learn anything truthful about it? Since you seem to know so much, maybe you can answer my question in my post time stamped 8:06 PM.

jen,
Not everyone is as familure with racing as you are. That is why they are here, they are learning just as I am still after two years. Lets not jump on people lets teach them as they teach us.

Knowing I shouldn't say this, but I just can't help myself.

I believe that NO one know what it mean when a horses ear are up, nor do they know what some of the sounds they make mean. Only they do!!
It is all guess work.

Chris- purely idiotic to do so, I agree. There is a west coast trainer , Barry Abrams, that runs horses back like that, all the time. Frankly it p...... me off too. He professes his great love for his horses all the time, but he is quite controversial. Sometimes, when a horse doesnt really run much in a race, you will see them turn back quickly because the race was nothing more than a workout would be. In this case, I dont know. Only Dutrow can answer that. Jen

Carol,
Ears up happy that is true...ears back take a bit of caution. Just like a dogs tail.

He does not give me warm fuzzies.

Thank you.

I know what dogs do, but each animal, just like us are different.

I have to ask ...about the jockey allegedly hearing EB whinnying in distress can anyone tell me where that was printed... in what article?

The first I saw of it was in a thread on the DB here. The posting 'party' had the name "dead horse" and that was the first post ever made my them I believe...so I didn't take it for fact at the time.

Just want to know if it was a real quote by this jock or just someone trying to upset folks...Thanks for any clarification on this..

I am not saying that you guys made that comment. Some reporter apparently came up with that idiotic statement. My frustration is with that long quote by someone called Livictus. His or her statement that Barbaro was not sound going into the Derby is insulting to the owners and trainers. Thats the stuff I dont like. Jen

Tamme,
I heard about the radio show using it after she fell. I hope they were both fired on the spot.

####As do I Renee...as do I....they should be fired. Unfortunately you can't 'teach' compassion...you just have to "get it" and these radio guys didn't.

The reporters start all this stuff, they can't wait to get a story true and false. grrrrrrrrr

Why would Corey Nakatani discuss eight belles with bob baffert anyway? He was on Colonel John who was being crushed at the back of the pack and was never near her in the race. Bob didnt even have a horse in the race. Jen

####Jen...been meaning to tell you and Susan how great it is that you two along with Daryl are taking on the situation in MO. Good luck and let me know if there's anything we in Ark can do to help...

jen,
I never heard that one about Barbaro not being sound in the Derby or otherwise.

Where is jonna today?

tamme- you must be one of the Amazing girls in AR that Daryl was telling me about last night. We are going to try to do our best. We dont have much time to work with. 1 week. Thats it. but they will be sorry they messed with us. Jen

Jen, thank you for your input - that was a question that I had posed earlier today - if anyone could extrapolate further about that. There is a lot of misinformation out there.

I also read that post about Barbaro being not sound and it was insulting to Michael Matz and the Jacksons.

Renee- read time post 6;39

LOL...not amazing. I think stubborn is more the word. Good luck and keep us posted here...we're all behind you! I think this may come down to battling one state at a time as needed until we get the Federal bill passed.

jen,
I read that and held my breath and bit my tongue.

((((((((((((Jen, Daryl,Susan))))))))))))))

Show them what you are made of! Proud of all of you.

Alex, I found your article( linked up top ) very informative.

Renee- If i have to bite my tongue one more time, the end of its going to fall off. LOL! Jen

Tamme- where in AR do you live? My brother owns a duck club down there not far from Poplar bluff, MO. I cant remember the towns name. It is very small. On the white river.

####I live in Little Rock but grew up in the NW part of the state. The white river is beautiful...but not too familiar with the area around it...

Where in MO are you?

Here is the thread on the DB that references the baffert interview: 23227.68/23227.65

People variously quoted as having refgerenced to this interview on the horse racing channel are Susan E380, Dreaming of and this deadhorse troll...

All I know is that up it popped and I asked Alex if he knew about this and never got an answer.

Tamme- just west of St. louis. I have a friend that lives in Little rock. I am within 40 minutes of those psychos on the capital. jen

Hay Fambleeee

Harriette, thank you so much for posting that article. Dr. McIllwraith is a GIANT among eqine vets. My DH studied under him at CSU and the man has forgotten more than many could ever hope to learn in a lifetime. He has performed groundbreaking surgeries, not just orthopedic but intestinal bypass ( for colic ) and is absolutely phenomenal. He has also researched the causal relationship between leg fractures and injuries in all those who have come from the Native Dancer line. Seems to me I read some time ago that Dr. McIllwraith found some similarities in the bloodlines of Native Dancer and Mahmood , who sired Almamood who foaled

((((((((((((((((((((renee)))))))))))))))))))))))))
arranging for two/make that three new dogs we really can't handle from Iowa, cleaning the yard, and trying to convince this adorable but stupid 2 year old GH that she doesn't have to go chew on a +piece of furniture if she feels unsure or insecure (dinner is being prepared...) Right about now, I could just clock her, but what would that do.

At least you horse foster parents do not have to have your charges IN YOUR HOMES....oy.

whoops dangit

Mahmood sired Almahmood who foaled Natalama who was bred by Native Dancer, and Natalama foaled Northern Dancer. The study had something to do with breeding back and introducing a similar bloodline (Mahmood) and the theory was that was instrumental in creating progeny who seemed to have a prediliction to fractures.

Anyway, the man is absolutely a genius. Thanks again for that article :)

see this thanks louis vuitton replica wholesale wnubqx

Goodnight Barbaro

We love you...tell Gallant Secret...Happy Mother's Day....we miss you and we are here to carry out all of your unfinish tasks...please keep near us...we have many battles to win...but we can do this Barbaro, WE ARE THE FOBS!

Goodnight Family/Fans of Barbaro

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!!!!!

Please call, fax, email...please...many of Barbaro's brothers and sisters are being transported across the borders to brutal, barbaric slaughter....

Please do not forget May 12, the HBO Special! tell everyone to watch and pass the word...

Remember and help our rescues, our Fallen Angels, the ones suffering human or animal, our wildlife, and our loving family.

Have a nice weekend.

####
Alex...goodnight and thank you.
Tim and Fair Hill...thank you.
Our Fallen Angels...we are here...we love you

###
Jerri???????

From Iowa...and you are in NY? How many do you have living with you now?

I have a friend who's dog nipped his mother, well mother said you will not nip me,again the little one nipped, mother grabbed the little dog tike and bit its ear. No more nipping or biting. ;)

(((((((((((((((((((((((Jonna))))))))))))))))))))

ALSO:
All of you in racing--and it increasingly this week the ABR seems to be dividing up into the PEOPLE IN THE RACING INDUSTRY and PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT IN THE RACING INDUSTRY:::

all you peoples IN RACING are the ones who have to make the changes begin. It is more than apparent to me that those of us on the outside have no cred...and like anything, segregation, women's rights, gay rights, pay scale equity between men and women, THE CHANGE HAS TO BE INITIATED BY THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY/ISSUE.

We'll back yole 150%, but I have never felt so much division as we have had over Belles death....

That's why I'm in the backyard, poop scooping.

Hay, FOB's!

###
OK, I can now say God moves in mysterious ways...

SherryVW, I will be flying out to AZ. I'll be arriving on the 17th and driving to Sedona and making that my "home base". Will fly back East on the 24th.

Jim Gath at Tierra Madre has kindly given me the OK to visit while I'm out there...he graciously said he'd let "the kids" know I was coming. I'll have to bring lots of carrots...:)

There is a reason for all this.

Healing, Love, Peace
ONS
Padme

####Thanks Jonna...I saw it too on another thread but can't remember which one. I hadn't read this one yet...I'll go with anything Susan E. said...she rocks but the other two "new" posters...well...that was why I was suspicious...their first post and one had a very confrontational screen name "dead horse"...

####Jen...last time I was in St.Louis I went to my first (brief) Mardi Gras there...a whole new experience...lol.

####Robyn...hope your drive was safe and that Nikita is feeling good these days.

####Sandra...how's Chief? My cat has extreme anxiety over thunder/heavy rain/hail. Just started this spring...I wish 'Nila wafers worked for Bella....lol.

Padme,
Sedona.............Take me with you, my dream place to go. You lucky girl!!!! I'm envious.

Hi, my great Famblee...

i just found this site below and wrote an email to everyone at work telling them this (it will break your heart...there are 10 in my area being euthanized tomorrow...wish i could take them all:

I will be getting a dog in the future, but not now, but in browsing, just came across this site that is for dogs that are close to being euthanized….

http://www.dogsindanger.com/

If you put in SC, there are 10 there from Remount Rd. (about 3 pages down)

If anyone is looking for a rescue, this might be a good place to start….

Spay and Neuter always please!

Hi, my great Famblee...

i just found this site below and wrote an email to everyone at work telling them this (it will break your heart...there are 10 in my area being euthanized tomorrow...wish i could take them all:

I will be getting a dog in the future, but not now, but in browsing, just came across this site that is for dogs that are close to being euthanized….

http://www.dogsindanger.com/

If you put in SC, there are 10 there from Remount Rd. (about 3 pages down)

If anyone is looking for a rescue, this might be a good place to start….

Spay and Neuter always please!

We should not get divided just stay as one group. We are the FOB's not the F O B 's.

Tamme,
Just like the other day SpiritHorse trying to get me to side with her against Alex...I don't think so! Alex is the man! :)

Renee,

This is happening so quickly because there are things going on out there that are happening just as quickly. Whatever comes of this trip, nothing will surprise me.

My head is spinning.

Healing, Love, Peace
ONS
Padme

####Renee...Exactly...just as the pro HS folks like to stir things up...it's inevitable that there will be folks with facts and some with non-facts about EB and racing...we just have to stay focused.

####Jonna...what you said....especially the 150% part. Change comes from within...in this case from within the horseracing community. All the division won't bring EB back....let's make it safer for the next horse...it's her legacy.

Once again I invite all to come and be with those of us who will have a service tomorrow afternoon/evening at 3:25 pm west coast time. That is 6:25 pm on the east coast. This is about the time nearest that I can tell that we were told that Belle had gone on to the other side.


This is time to honor her and her life. Please don't use this time to bash any of her connections.


If you feel so inclined please include any other animal you choose to honor at this time.


Sincerely

Enjoy! You are going to a very spiritual place. Make sure you lay on the red rocks. My two dreams, to own a horse rescue with therapy for children and live in AZ near Sedona.

BIG CONGRATS TO OUR OWN SHELLEY A. who worked closely with Philadelphia Park to initiate and establish this new program, Turning For Home. I'm sure she's very proud to see it finally become a reality!!

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=45139

PTHA Approves Retirement Program

by Blood-Horse Staff
Date Posted: May 9, 2008
Last Updated: May 9, 2008

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horseman's Association unanimously
approved the formation of Turning for Home, a Thoroughbred retirement program for trainers and owners at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack.

Sponsored and managed by the PTHA with support from Philadelphia Park, the program will begin accepting horses May 19. Philadelphia Park is the first year-round racetrack to offer such a program.

“It is imperative that horses which are finished racing have better
alternatives for retirement than to be sent through livestock auctions,

and ultimately sent to slaughter,” Michael Ballezzi, executive
director of the PTHA, said in a statement. “It is our hope that by basing our program right here at the track, our trainers and owners will feel more secure in the knowledge that their horses are going to be well cared for when they are finished racing.

“The PTHA is also pleased to announce that Barbara Luna has been
named as administrator of our program. She brings to Turning for Home a wealth of experience and knowledge of the racing industry, as well a background in public relations and fundraising. Her passion for both racing and the welfare of the Thoroughbred horse when it is time for his retirement will be of great benefit to the organization.”

Luna, formerly executive director of ReRun, also worked for the
Standardbred Retirement Foundation after many years acting as
television host for Thoroughbred racing simulcast shows.

Turning for Home will place racehorses with rescue and adoption
organizations that are run under guidelines established by the American

Association of Equine Practitioners.

Copyright © 2008 The Blood-Horse, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers here!

Barbaro,
I will always love you and rememeber you.

Thanks Alex!

####
PLEASE KEEP THE CANDLES LITE FOR BARBARO AND HIS FRENS...PLEASE

REMEMBER SATURDAY...VIGIL...FOR EIGHT BELLES.

AND THERE ARE SO DOGS AND CATS, AND HORSES THAT NEED HOMES...PLEASE.

AND...IF YOU CAN HELP MARGIE...$1 OR $5 OR MORE...TO HELP OUR RESCUES...PLEASE.

####
Renee:
Oy: there are my two lurchers from ireland, three current fosters, 9 of my own greys, among whom are a donor dog who was adopted then dumped when his "daddy" hadn't enough time to find a place to live that took dogs, another 10 years old whose mom has lost her sight very suddenly by adult onset diabetes. She asked that I take Shiloh. Easy.

The there's Wyatt and Teddy who are both classified as spooks, and few people want to try to work with them. They're both heartbreakers. I think Teddy has lost his vision--and that complicates his life immensely. We're going in for an opthalmic exam this coming week.)

The there's Loretta who is the one responsible for my surgical staple kit....she just used to bite dogs she was miffed at, or put out by. She's mine now, obviously.

Tuck, who still isn't crazy about being touched--she DNF in her first try at her Maiden. She's adorable, but over reacts to everything.
Boxer, my outreach and home visit king, the broods, Heart and Cotton without whom I will never be.

The broods are FLAWLESS...both were owned by people who wanted them to have lives after puppydom, and let therm go while they were still 8 and 9. (Yes, we have rescued broods from a farm in FL where the broods were beyond description in their terrible physical conditions. Bad feet, bad nails, rotten teeth, old wounds, mammary gland tumors galore, badly healed old breaks, unhealed breaks, terrible flea dematitis which was being treated with SEVIN, an organophosphate which is used for plants. (Organo- etc is especially toxic to GH)

What else...they were housed doubled up in small crates on filthy, ragged rug samples which had been soaked in Clorox...yes, they were still wet.
Their "crates" were wood and wire, so nothing really ever dried.

We got those old girls--38 of them from age 6-13--at least a couple of good, really good years. But that's a loooong story.

Anyhow. On we go. You think you've seen terrible and then you see worse than terrible. But like HR, the substantive changes are coming from the inside of the business and coming oh, so slowly. Yes, they run in sand...and broken right legs are common.

They too are expected to compete at top speeds 45 mph on the straight away and 30mph in three strides out of the boxes when they are under 2 years of age.

It sucks. Plain and simple. But----to see them run. It is divine. That's all. when they all run right, and all come in safe, it's unlike anything i have ever seen except maybe a school of dolphins arcing through the waves...

England has a good grasp of how to home their racers after they're retired. They come off the tracks with their own little hope chest of money from small percentages being taken from fees, registrations, winnings...

Oy i'm tired...

all have a fine weekend. Let us please try to knit ourselves back together and get this work done. My heart is broken from what I know about greyhounds and race horses.....

####Debra...great news about Philly Park's retirement program ...congrats to Shelley from me for working so hard on this.

Change is coming...see?

Tammie, Chiedf is doing really well. He often loses his balance a little and has a little problem with his right leg. I feel so fortunate to still have him. He is here, I believe, because of all yoles prayers and candles. (thats Chief not chiedf-have headache today and cant think). Thanks so much for asking about him.

####
For Chris Byers who is wanting to find the article (source)of the original statement that came from about Corey Nakatani, here it is. I have copied just the paragraph and the next paragraph following it, because it is a long article. Here is the link to the entire article.
htp://Sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tim_layden/05/05eightbelles.aftermath/?eref=sircrc

Tim Layden>Inside Horse Racing
The Eight Belles aftermath:
Sorting out the key issure from the tragedy
Posted May 5, 2008 6:59

(only part of the article)

Owner Rick Porter has asked that a necropsy be performed on Eight Belles. Baffert, for one, is anxious to see if perhaps she suffered some sort of cardiac or pulmonary event that caused her to stumble and break her legs. On Monday morning, Baffert said jockey Corey Nakatani, riding Colonel John, told him that when he passed Eight Belles on the turn, he heard the filly whinnying possibly in distress.

Of course, it's all a guessing game until the necropsy is finished and the results made public.

• Eight Belles' breakdown has quickened the call for the installation of synthetic racing surfaces. Breeding of U.S. racehorses has changed in the last two decades. Where once there was an emphasis on breeding durable animals who could race resolutely at distances up to a mile and a half, now the goal is to breed fast horses who can show some brilliance in a short career and retire to breed more fast horses. The result is a breed that many people in the game think is more fragile.

(Article continued but not copied for here, because it was to long, and did not pertain to infor Chris Byers was seeking)

However finding the source does not answer the question posed earlier of WHY or HOW could this statement have been made. For that you would have to ask the differrent people. But, here is the direct article.

Karen Macmanus - Dallas, Texas

Just wanted to add my congrats to Shelley for helping to get the retirement program started by the PTHA at Philadelphia Park. You rock Shelley!!!! Little by little the horses in racing will be helped throughout their careers.

Tamme,

"yes, indeed. It is"

God Bless,
Deb

Update on Erin

Dear Fren Barb AZ,

I watch and read your precious Erin updates. She is in my prayers.

I am not a doctor. I would not presume to second guess yours. You are on your set course, and we who watch and pray, are on it with you.

Please, let me offer a suggestion or two, for you to accept, or not. Concerning of the latest UTI that you mention, I would suggest, the addition of plain, unsweetened yogurt, with natural honey and fresh or frozen blueberries added for flavor.

Yogurt is a natural PRO-biotic (biotic, meaning "life"), as well as is honey. It will fight unhealthy bacteria without damaging the bodied's natural immune defenses.

If Erin's system is able to tolerate natural lactose, it may be worth a try. She should eat it every day. It should not adversely react with her current meds, (but do ask your doctor). It should only enhance the healing, and actually counteract any adverse effect of an pharmaceutical ANTI-biotic,(again, biotic meaning "life").

For what it's worth, my Fren....and praying hard for your precious little love.

Your FOB Fren, O

PS: The wellbutrin worries me. My son was on it for depression, and suffered several side affects from it. He did well after we weaned him off it, and substituted 5HTP instead. Now, he is on an organic dietary regime, and is doing much better.

Lord, God, please heal Erin. She is so beautiful and bright. She is fighting so hard. Please strengthen her and all of her family.

Your Fob Fren, O

The May Hay Ride at MHR has started. Jerri and Apple are leading the way.

Barbaro's Kentucky Derby Hay Wagon Ride

Two Drawings: First includes a Barbaro Breyer Model, a copy of Kentucky Derby #132 Review hard cover book,a hand painted pewter Barbaro-Prado pin, and four Kentucky Derby commemorative mint julep glasses.

Second Drawing is an unsigned 8x10 framed Barbara Livingston photo of Barbaro taken at Churchill Downs.

May Hay Drive

Ro & Brady

Hiya, FsOB! It has been an exhausting week. My thanks to Harriette for posting the very informative article from the Lexington Herald-Leader. Also, my thanks to whomever (forgive my not writing down your name) who posted the information about the steps being undertaken by Attorney General Greg Abbott down in TX to prevent the shipping of "horsemeat" (how I hate that word) from the Dallas-Fort Worth airport to France. Weee-haaa! He is my favourite politician this week, kudos for his courageous stand. May we have a better weekend than the last one was. Peace, RMH

#### To Jonna: What a great story that Joe Shelton shared about Kristin the 14 year old & her family.
To MJ: Good wishes being sent to Day Bue, please don't let her have osteomyelitis, Great Spirit.
To Angel Dee: Many rainbows of love to you. I loved your phrase: Mrs. Gretchen Jackson, Angel of Love".
To Tamme, glad you're back, I'm glad to be home. I waited to let the 5 PM traffic get past before leaving the office tonight. Hope all is well in Little Rock, weather-wise.
To Sandra: Please tell Chief that we send him love. I talk about Chief all the time to Nikita & Brent. ####

Polished
to an aching brightness
ebony girl,
sliver of midnight
with no stars,
glistening jet,
set in marcasite,
Like Lyn's onyx.

This time last week:
so alive,
so loved,
brilliant eyes,
flaring nostrils,
ears flicking
to catch everything.
so manys hopes riding
on her slender, long legs.

Too much.
Too soon.
Too early.
Wait, wait.

As time passes,
may we all
simply see a fleeting
image of her early run at the prize.

Before she simply broke.
Eased down finally
into the kindness of death.
No more pain.
Soft hands.
Tender voices.

No more.
No more.
No more.

We must learn to wait.

Sending All, All All My Love To Angels Jonnagrey,
Padme, Renee, Judy Scott-Ont And Robyn. You Are In My Heart So A Lot So. Your Thoughts Mean The World To Me.

Love So, So So A Lot So Sending The Rainbows.

All, All All, Angelic Beautiful Glowing Rainbows To You.

Affirmed