Hay, FOB's!

Am I the first to post today??? WOW!

I'm sooooo excited about my upcoming trip to AZ. Its gonna be a whirlwind trip, but this needs to take place. Once this trip is over, I'll know what I'll be doing and where I'll be living.

May all horses racing today run with the wind and come home safely. (especially the latter...)

###
Welcome Harmony...what a beautiful baby you are.

Healing, Love, Peace
ONS
Padme

From today's Lexington paper:

What's wrong with race horses?

As hardiness decreases, no clear cause emerges
By Alicia Wincze
awincze@herald-leader.com

NTRA to refocus on safety

It is a frame built inherently for speed -- long and lean with dynamic quarters and hard, polished legs. At its best, it can produce athletic feats that leave even casual fans breathless.

Few can question the capabilities and effectiveness of the Thoroughbred racehorse. In the wake of recent events, however, there is renewed debate over whether the modern racehorse is as capable as it once was.

Among the many issues within the Thoroughbred industry that have come under scrutiny since the death of Eight Belles in last Saturday's Kentucky Derby is the perceived lack of durability and soundness within the breed.

The average number of starts per horse each year reached its peak in 1960 at 11.31. But that figure has steadily fallen off, coming in at an all-time low of 6.31 in 2007, according to the Jockey Club.

"I think the evidence of the reduced number of starts is evidence the breed is less sound ... but I think there are other factors that also come into it," said Ed Bowen, president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. "Some trainers prefer to race them less but, statistically, that's not enough to create the breed average marching down.

"I'm baffled by it, to tell you the truth. We are trying to address the situation because I think it is multifactorial."

Bowen is quick to point out that the theory blaming a less sound racehorse is not universally accepted, but those who argue the concept cite myriad reasons.

Over the past few decades, some of racing's most influential stallions have had genetic frailties but still commanded top books because of their ability on the racetrack and their popularity in the commercial market.

Danzig, sire of 10 champions, retired after three starts because of knee problems; the great Mr. Prospector had his career shortened after 14 starts because of ankle injuries; and the legendary stallion Raise a Native made four career starts before a bowed tendon force him into the breeding shed.

"I think as far as the breeding goes, we in the industry have retired stallions who have not been sound themselves but were very brilliant," said Ric Waldman, consultant to Overbrook Farm, which stands top sire Storm Cat. "We have used them and, in some cases, overused them and therefore introduced an unsoundness factor into a large number of our pedigrees."

As the commercial market reached new heights in the early 1980s and syndication deals for stallions ballooned, more breeders and buyers were willing to forgive a sire's flaws in conformation -- his structure and symmetry -- if he was consistently getting talented, precocious runners on the track.

"There have been some drastic changes with the way matings are selected for horses, and it really has to do with the commercial market," said Dr. Rick Arthur, equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board. "Many people prefer brilliance over durability, and certainly the people who breed yearlings have to respond to what the market demands."

Perhaps more influential than the stallions themselves when it comes to the supposed lack of durability in today's racehorses is the prevalent use of medication in racing that allows otherwise unsound horses to continue to perform.

"I think the trend in racing is such that we have been using a lot of medication, and it makes it difficult to know how sound a horse was when they raced, and that's what you used to do," former Calumet Farm trainer John Veitch said during Derby week. "You used to breed either to enhance a quality or to diminish a quality, if it was bad quality, and we can't do that anymore."

Although the average number of starts for racehorses has dropped dramatically during the past half-century, some say it is a change in practices, not in the breed itself, that is responsible for the decline.

It used to be commonplace for trainers to run their horses in the Derby Trial on Tuesday and come back for the Derby Saturday, but the sport goes year-round and worldwide now, and conditioners space out their horses' starts.

The fact that trainers now routinely ship horses across the country -- and, in some cases, across the world -- to compete also has reduced the number of career starts.

"Truthfully, I see something in the horse that everybody else doesn't see. I see a better athlete and a sounder horse," Racing Hall of Fame trainer Carl Nafzger said during the Hall of Fame conference call on April 21. "I want to clarify when I say sounder because everybody seems to say that they're not. I don't think everyone realizes what the airplane has done for racing.

"Horses are under tremendous stress nowadays," Nafzger continued. "We used to go slower. These horses are constantly tuned to perfection to win. You pull up a Grade I, and there will be four or five horses shipping in. So when a horse is doing good in California, he ends up in New York and vice versa. These horses are under constant pressure to win. And we race longer seasons."

While the commercial boom has boosted the popularity of some unsound sires, it has prompted many sound horses to hit the breeding shed prematurely thanks to the enormous value placed on well-bred, talented specimens.

"We're working on a better way to measure the durability of stallions because the economic factors do come into play," Bowen said. "If you have a well-bred, accomplished filly and she gets a pimple on her, she's more than likely to be retired because they're so valuable."

Even if a stallion does have conformation flaws, it doesn't mean he's not capable of producing a durable runner.

Gulch, the leading money-earning offspring by Mr. Prospector, was a versatile performer who made 32 starts in three years. He then sired 1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch, who went on to sire Spain, the former all-time leading money-earning female in Thoroughbred racing.

In addition to siring hard-knocking racehorse and sire Langfuhr, Danzig was the sire of last year's Kentucky Derby runner-up, Hard Spun, who was considered one of the more enduring members of last year's 3-year-old crop.

And while some have scrutinized Unbridled's Song, the brilliant but lightly raced sire of Eight Belles, any notion that his genes condemned her would be premature. According to the stallion durability index compiled by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and The Jockey Club, offspring by Unbridled's Song average 11.1 career starts, below the overall average of 16.

However, from Unbridled's Song's top-20 progeny, seven have made 20 or more career starts, and 15 have raced past the age of 3.

"We can't dictate what the breeders breed, but we can certainly educate the breeders and buyers about the durability of horses," said Waldman, the Overbrook Farm consultant. "Whatever the cause, we've allowed this degeneration to occur over the last 40-50 years, and it's not realistic to expect it to be reversed overnight. But the change can happen."

Good Morning. I can't wait to read the updates, Alex. I'm waiting for more coffee.

((((Harriette))))

Padme - I know you will 'feel' whatever Gaia is offering, and 'hear' what the Universe is telling you while on your trip. You are going to a powerful place.

SATURDAY AT JOE'S
(more to come...)
***************************************************
Saturday, May 10th...

Little things to catch you up on.

A gelding comes to us from the race track today, and his sire is Gilded Time. This will be our 4th Gilded Time, and the other 3 can jump higher than the moon. I wonder if the streak continues...

Earlier this week Tiger In The Bank returned to us. He was adopted in 2004, but now Tiger will have a lifetime home on our ranch.

HBO is doing a special on horse slaughter this coming Monday night. It was suppose to air on Kentucky Derby day, but who knows why it was cancelled? 7:00 p.m. California time, and they are going to show you doomed thoroughbreds. Cathy and I do not have HBO, which is just as well. In my life I have already seen thousands of doomed thoroughbreds.

4 different newspapers are asking for an exclusive interview with Alissa, the young girl in San Francisco who wants an end to horse racing. I wonder which paper she will choose?

Maybe you remember Lemons, a beautiful filly who came to us last year from the race track. Lemons had two puffy tendons. She was adopted by a jumping trainer in Davis. Earlier this week the trainer was offered $12,000.00 for Lemons, and the person who wants to buy her is a professional athlete. A crappy horse market, but Lemons is no lemon. I wonder if the trainer in Davis will sell?

more to come

HERE'S THE "MORE TO COME."
***************************************************
Maybe you remember Teaser, a colt who came to us from a feed lot, and he loved to tease all the fillies. Our vet Lisa Wallace removed his testicles, and he was later adopted by a trainer in Elverta. We are not sure of his breed, but Teaser is probably a thoroughbred mix. Teaser has turned into a fabulous lesson horse, and he has become the first ride of many youngsters. Teaser was recently sold to a lesson barn in Davis, and I visited him this week. A fancy barn with a giant arena. Teaser living the good life.

There is a horse auction in Roseville tomorrow. Mothers Day. I wonder if the crowd will be big?

We bought an older mare from a feed lot 2 weeks ago, and her name is Nona. She has a badly infected hock. I was going to send Nona to live on green grass with a foster family, but instead she will stay with us. Nona must have daily penicillen.

Holly Meeks is on vacation in Ireland, and she writes about scalloped potatoes. Cheese so thick you need a knife.

It is a gorgeous Saturday morning, and later we could be 82 degrees. Flies are starting their engines. Doobie Brothers singing on the radio. The coffee is extra strong from Folgers, with just the right amount of cinnamon cream. 107 hungry horses are making noise. Enjoy your Jazz beat the Lakers Saturday, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

reposted from last nite. Eight Belles connections on my mind. The men at the track who helped her. The outrides in his pristine red coat...

and for all of us who still are having trouble getting to sleep at night.
***********************************************

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.

Posted by: jonnagrey at May 10, 2008 2:55 AM

A brilliant girl
Pushed to the line
Beyond her very strength ...
No tellin' if
She'd still be here
If raced for shorter length ...
At least she went
To God when sent
Without long pain endured ...
Too bad all girls
Pushed over lines
Are not such fate insured ...
For her I hope
For pastures green
And rest beneath God's tree ...
I guess that's all
A girl can hope
Awaits the likes of me ...
They gave her odds
The worst of all
Because she wasn't male ...
Will we live long
Enough to hear
The end of such a tale?
Or did God make
The bones of man
Much stronger than our own?
It's food for thought
Or so it seems
With pictured pain of bone.

May she rest in peace.

Rosemary

Not sure who Rosemary wrote this for, maybe Ruffian? I am posting it for Eight Belle's.
A friend emailed it to me, she was at my Derby party last week. She is very sad, as we all are!

####Chris Byers -
I found your answer to the source of Corey Nakatani's statement. I copied 2 paragraphs of the article yesterday May 9, 2008 time stamp 10:45. The article is by Tim Layden of Sports Illustrated. I gave you the info. to go right to the article itself. Not sure why it was made as several posters have asked but never the less it was a comment made by Nakatani to Baffert, that was reported by Tim Layden (about hearing Eight Belles whinnying during the race). I hope you get to see it. Let me know if you see it.

###Harriette

Thank you for the article. Very interesting.

Karen Macmanus - Dallas, Texas

Terry post on DB

I found this so cute, Welcome Terry in IN, our newest Fan of Barbaro! Eight Belle brings his to ABR! If your reading and want to help, please post we would love to meet you. The horses need you.

Please continue your prayers for Day Bue. He is a very sweet 10 year old TB who recently left the track in Ohio. Of course, he needed surgery and now is having some complications. Tests yesterday at OSU show no infection in the bone or joint (via X-rays and fluid samples). He is on strong atibiotics and is being such a good boy.

He deserves a nice life.

Barbaro needs candles BADLY!

Prayers for Day Bue, and for Erin!

“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."

This is what has to happen: change from THE INSIDE. This is great news....Congratulations to Philly Park!

Love to Barbaro Thanks Alex

Candles for Barbaro

3 cheers for Philly Park and PTHA.

Hay DebbieLA and ALL,
Concerning Candles for BARBARO:

The Young Prince, and his fren Brume, discuss "the shines," in the latest posting of THISGOODPLACE.

You will find THISGOODPLACE4: The Sweetwter Council, on the DB, under the BARBARO/NICANOR thread.

Excerpt from The Sweetwater Council:

Stars and shines, pierce the darkness with fiery glow. Soft flickers far away, sprinkled across the sky, delight the eye, making the winter night, a little warmer with their light.

He remembered the stars from when he looked out the hospital window. The lights were left on, most of the time, so it wasn't always quite dark enough inside to see the stars outside. However, there were occasions, when most of the staff went home, and only a small light, around the corner, was left on. Then, he could see them flickering brightly in the night...calling him, and holding his attention. A peaceful feeling would settle on his mind, and he would sleep in the light of the shines.

Something made the stars shine brighter...something warm and true. Fire-shines coming through the window, in the dark of night were ever so much more than heavenly bodies scattered about the sky. They were a projection of the shines lighted by the Frens, once again, making a connection.

...continued on the DB

There are no coincidences, Frens, just little miracles in which God chooses to remain anonymous.

Do light a "shine" and pray for all of the beauties who are running today. Have a super weekend.

Your FOB Fren, O

Please go over to the Discussion Board and under the thread El Paso Slaughter Auction May 15th if you can donate to save a horse from slaughter. You can do it in honor of Eight Belles or in honor of any horse, just do it to save a horse. ACHE P.O. Box 220109 El Paso 79913 is the mailing address and you can go on line to www.acheonline.org/donate/ and pay pal.

Please do it if you can.

Karen Macmanus - Dallas, Texas

Good afternoon, fellow Fans!

Cool and a bit blustery today in the Downeast, but no rain. I understand our neighbors to the South good a good drenching yesterday.

Alex - You might see another familiar face or two tomorrow as well, as Street Sounds is entered in the Hendrie up there. So, greetings coming your way from Fair Hill, perhaps.

###
Padme - How totally fantastic that you are able to travel to Sedona! Enjoy and drink it all in...something I'm certain you don't need me to tell you!

Prayers and positive energy to all in need.

Marg
Proud Fan of Barbaro forever

Hay Fambleeee

Just read this http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/45139.htm that Alex linked above. Thank you Alex. I really got choked up on that one. Now if only all other tracks and associations follow suit. Bravo!!

Welcome to Terry from Indianapolis. He started a thread in the DB hopefully he's reading and getting marching orders here. This famblee is getting HUGE

Hopeful for a safe and happy Saturday for all :)

Please don't forget to light your candles. I'm out already. I hate the new restrictions over there.

Light for our Beloved Barbaro and Eight Belles and all our human and animal friends in need of prayers.

Thanks.

# A warm "Welcome," to Terry from Indy. Welcome to the famblee....now, get to work! (hee hee)

Now you're off and running!

Explore this site, and learn all you can about who we are and what we do. We are a diverse and very 'human' famblee. Sometimes we see, and express things from different points of view, but, mostly we are of the same heart, with the same objective. IT's ALL ABOUT THE HORSE.

So, jump on in. Contribute your thoughts and comments. Become actively involved in the rescue and anti-slaughter efforts. Offer your heart, your hands, and an occasional shoulder to cry or lean upon. Give whatever you can, to meet any of the many needs that come to our attention here. Tell everyone you know about BARBARO's legacy, of life and healing.

Congratulations, You are now a Fren!

Your FOB Fren, O

Another greata article from today's Lexington paper..Eight Belles, you sweet girl, you are being heard...

NTRA to refocus on safety

STEROIDS MAY BE BANNED FOR '09 DERBY
By Maryjean Wall

MWALL@HERALD-LEADER.COM
A racing industry group held a board meeting Friday to discuss horse safety with the group's president, Alex Waldrop, reflecting that in the past, "perhaps we didn't push forward with enough urgency."

Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, spoke after the teleconference meeting to say that racing needs to refocus its energy on making the sport safer for participating Thoroughbreds.

"Perhaps that will be one of the legacies of Eight Belles," Waldrop said, referring to the death of the filly who broke both front legs following her runner-up finish to Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby a week ago. Eight Belles was euthanized on the track.

Industry leaders will also meet Wednesday in Lexington when a seven-member Thoroughbred safety committee, called together by The Jockey Club, begins identifying and discussing how to implement safety improvements.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, a marketing arm of the industry, will work closely with the Thoroughbred safety committee, Waldrop said.

"This industry has to act," he said, citing the urgent need to determine scientifically what makes a safe race track, "and bring it to a reasonable conclusion sooner rather than later."

Waldrop advised that racetrack surfaces will not be the only area to come under scrutiny.

"On the medication front," Waldrop said, "we need to eliminate anabolic steroids by the end of the year."

He said it is quite possible that these steroids will be prohibited in time for the 2009 Kentucky Derby.

"What we have to do as an industry is to ensure the public that we're doing everything possible," Waldrop said.

He said The Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Safety Committee will also look at racing rules, breeding practices, medication, track surfaces, and equine health generally.

The NTRA's job will be to educate the public on the strides the industry had made before the breakdown of Eight Belles -- and on what it plans to do in the future.

Even before Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro suffered a broken leg two years ago in the Preakness, the industry had begun coming together with its first Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse summit in Lexington, Waldrop said.

Recommendations for improved safety of racehorses came out of that summit, Waldrop said, "but no one (group) in particular owned those recommendations. I think (new recommendations to come) will be owned by the Thoroughbred Safety Committee."

Those serving on the safety committee are Stuart S. Janney III, chairman; John Barr; James (Jimmy) G. Bell; Dr. Larry Bramlage; Donald R. Dizney; Dell Hancock; and Dr. Hiram C. Polk Jr. Each belongs to The Jockey Club, with headquarters in New York and Lexington.

Janney is chairman of Bessemer Trust Co. and Bessemer Securities Corp. and sits on the boards of several industry organizations. He is a longtime horse owner and breeder.

Barr is a semiretired real estate developer in Orange County, Calif., who owns racehorses. He has served on racing industry boards in California.

Bell is president of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Darley USA in Lexington, and serves on industry boards including Keeneland Association.

Bramlage, a partner in Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, is past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and serves on the board of directors of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

Dizney owns Double Diamond Farm in Ocala, Fla. He founded Orlando, Fla.-based United Medical Corp. and serves as its chairman and CEO.

Polk is a professor of surgery at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He is a racehorse owner and breeder and was on the steering committee for the second Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit held in March.

Hancock is co-owner of Claiborne Farm in Paris, chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, and has been actively involved with various industry organizations.

The Eight Belles incident has brought greater scrutiny to the sport than did Barbaro's injury, and industry leaders are saying that might be for several reasons.

Barbaro did not fall down on the racetrack; Eight Belles did. Eight Belles was a filly racing against males. And the Eight Belles accident occurred on racing's biggest day when many more people than racing fans were watching the event on national TV.

"The most difficult and troubling aspect has been the photographic evidence," Waldrop said. "The images were broadcast via the Internet, and millions of people are being exposed to a catastrophic injury.

"Barbaro's situation focused more on his injury and recovery (until a disease called laminitis made it necessary to euthanize him eight months later). With Barbaro, there was always hope."

With Eight Belles, it was over in moments after she was euthanized on the track. For the filly, there could be no happy ending.

Waldrop said the safety of the horse remains the industry's top priority and that the board teleconference reaffirmed this.

In a statement the NTRA issued after the teleconference, Waldrop said, "The people in Thoroughbred racing care deeply about our horses and take very seriously our responsibility to provide a safe environment for their training and competition

May 10 Cherokee Devotional [sharing email from Harriette Brillianthawk]

We are complex combinations of many things. Mind, body, and spirit, yes, but with all the height and depth and feeling that make up the three. If one of these is not kept in shape and made to be harmonious with the others, we are out of balance. There is almost always more interest in one part rather than seeing the necessity of developing the whole person. What reading a book is to one person equals running a mile to another. It is natural to do what pleases us and makes us feel worthy. The Cherokee claims that if you tso tle s si, sit down all the time or are idle in mind and spirit, the whole i ya dv ne li da s di, complex system, suffers. Once upon a time, Indian dancing served the whole person, worshipping, exercising, and activating the mind. True fitness requires it all.

We work as hard as you do! Did you ever try skinning a buffalo?

Ouray, Ute Chief

"Music In Rainbows"

From God's Loving Heart
The Most Beautiful Rainbow Barbaro
His Wings Of Love
Eight Belles Glowing Angel
The Heart Of The Rainbow
Barbaro's So, So So Beautiful Angels Here
Musical Notes In The Sky
In Halos
Churchill Sounds Singing
Barbaro's Halo Is Glowing So, So Beautifully So
All The Colors Of The Rainbow
The Circle Of Love
In Hearts
In Roses
In Halos
The Circle Of Angels
Angel Mothers
Caring Hearts
Reaching Another
Inspiring
The Rainbow Of Music
So, So Beautiful Songs
The Words That Mean A Lot
Joy.........

8.......Halos......Two Hearts......Connected In
Love......Divine Love.......

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

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

Barbaro's Angels
His Rainbow Of Love.......

Affirmed

There is a wonderful save going on in El Paso TX...they are actually able to work ahead of time.
Remember: all these horses will die in Mexico. Go and see the pictures on the DB. The rescue group is ACHE...and the thread is currently El Paso Slaughter Auction.
Thank you my dearest FoBs.
Welcome to the Newest FoBs! We need you all...
Courage: jonna

Happy Mother's Day to all my FoBs with horses, dogs, cats, llamas, swine, iguanas, ACTUAL CHILDREN, and husbands who many times are CONFUSED with children...(cough, cough)

If you all aren't mother's, I don't know who is.
Think of Windchill's mom and dad during those terrible, hopeful weeks last winter. Stephanie and the crew at MHR. Think of Tracey at Legacy, watching over her Clydes like a lioness. Barb with Punky and Chunky. Harriette, Padme and Dee who mother and nurture our souls everyday

And then there's Lynne with Murphy, KathySC with her tripod gh, and all the horses at her place, Wendy with the Horse God, Jag--and the others. Micha's mom who WILL NOT GIVE UP on those damned canker infested feet, and how many more...

I do believe that all that is required to be a mother is unconditional love and the determination of a Tiger.

And of course, the Mother of us all: Alex.

I am so grateful to you all and the gazillion whose animals I do not know

I pray that Jerri will soon produce a beautiful, healthy foal for MHR. Everytime I see her stretched out in her fluffy "stall" I just want to cry.

Think of the years she spent standing in a 4-5 foot wide stanchion--I don't know what else to call it. She can actually lay down now to sleep, foal in a warm and clean place, with loving people whom she has miraculously decided to trust. And then, that foal will be with her until it is weaned, and she will still be able to see it on the ranch....Same for Apple.

Happy Mother's Day to the rescuers all...we are such a Nation. And we have, are and will work wonders.

Courage: jonna and the greys.

####
LOL jonna. Alex certainly gave "birth" to this site.

We're heading out to a late horse show. Gotta go. Love to all.

Report from the Draft Horse Sugarcreek Save 5/9

Lisa of Frog Pond Farms has posted the report of the massive rescue at Sugarcreek yesterday - complete with outed undercover news coverage! TWENTY SIX lives saved - mostly drafts - you gotta read about it.

First report (reporting 24 saved) is here:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=21370.404

Scroll down to post 413 for the update, that there were 26 saved in all, and description of Lisa's face-off with the bad guy.

And in post 416 she relates that one of the saved is a blind QH mare; she is seeking info re how to safely maintain a blind horse.

Great save all in all; recommend you go read about it for a real lift.

LIVING PROOF OF THE LIVING TRUTH . . . .

Jonna and all - just checked marestare.com and Jerri is still all alone in her enclosure, standing in the shade provided. It is such a Mitzvah (blessing) that she accepted people before foaling.

Steph at MHR is nursing a broken foot. Ouch. As Gilda Radner used to say, "It's Always Something!"

I Love You So A Lot So Angel Jonnagrey. You Are In My Heart So A lot So.

All, All All Angelic Beautiful Glowing Rainbows To You.

Affirmed

#######
Everyone watching Jerri,

Per Stephanie, Rob and other people who know, they believe baby will make his/her appearance within the next 24 Hours. Something to do with belly positioning.

Ro & Brady

Angel Horses With A Mission True Story Contest

http://forums.delphiforums.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=23528.1

Hay, FOB's!

###
Today I received a lovely thank you note from Mike Rea - had given him a gift card - not much, but just a little something to help him out during his transition. Between Jan Boterf's class and Mike, I find I cry from joy more than cry from sorrow.

I'll take that.

###
Am getting REALLY excited about traveling to AZ in a week...just the thought that I'll be around up to 30 horses at Tierra Madre is really putting a grin on my face. Sherry/AZ, hope your move has wrapped up because I'll be in Phoenix for a couple of days before heading back to PA.

###
Will be taken out to dinner by my son and daughter-in-law tomorrow. I had my choice of places, but chose one very close to both of us. I have been traveling so much recently, I wanted to celebrate a little closer to home.

May all Mothers - all those who love and nurture - have a blessed, joyful day tomorrow. Take a few minutes to thank the Creator for letting us be in that role - whether you nurture people, animals, plants, the Earth. You are a Mother...

I love you all.

Healing, Love, Peace
ONS
Padme

FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive

Thank-you! We have just finished drive number 9 in memory of dear Twinkle Toes. We have raised over $900 in 3 weeks. Now we are moving on to Mac at The Humane Society of the Ozarks. Mac is being fostered by Le Ann, who does a wonderful job bringing back starved horses. The Humane Society of the Ozarks needs the funds to take care of Mac.

THIS IS IMPORTANT: Earmark your donations for "Macintosh" or he will not get them.

You can donate using paypal on their website:

http://hsozarks.tripod.com/

The link is at the bottom of the left column just above InPrint in red.

REMEMBER to NOTE that it is for "Macintosh."

Or you can snail mail to:

The Humane Society of the Ozarks

413 N College Avenue

Fayetteville, AR 72701

Again please NOTE that it is for "Macintosh."

$1.00 to $5.00 is all we are asking. Add fees for Paypal $1.50 - $6.00.

Remember $1-$5 by snail mail. Group donations welcome. Paypal at least $1.50 to $6.00 to cover all fees. We are asking for your pocket change, not your gas money.

Please report your donation on the "FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive" thread in discussion.

$100 needed.

Thank-you!

Margie

Happy Saturday FOBs,

I believe there is an Eight Belles vigil in half an hour. I won't be able to be here at that time, but will join thoughts with everyone else remembering that "lovely lady" who gave her all.

Ro - thanks for the heads up about Jerri. I hope I get to see it.

Janice

A forever FOB

El Paso Slaughter Auction: May 15th

We have an opportunity to save 6 horses from death in Mexico. Please come to the thread on the discussion forum and read about this fundraiser and the rescue involved.

Go to their website: http://www.acheonline.org/

Then decide if you can help. At the moment $1850 more is needed. Every bit counts.

You can make an on-line donation using Pay Pal on their website:

http://www.acheonline.org/donate/

Or you can mail a check to: Animal Cruelty Heartline of El Paso (ACHE)

P.O. Box 220109

El Paso, Texas 79913

Please report your donation on the thread.

Thank-you!

Margie

##
Padme- crying can be a good thing! I'm glad you liked the cards! Save travels......
jan

Eight Belles,

Run free with the wind Brave One...

You will never be forgotten, you live in our hearts.

Run with Barbaro, Gallant Secret, John Henry, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and all the great ones up in Hevvin.

Ro & Brady

Dear Eight Belles...

Thank you for being a messenger. Thank you for your sacrifice of your physical body. Thank you for bringing awareness to so many.

May all beings be happy.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings live with ease.

Healing, Love, Peace
ONS
Padme

(((Eight Belles)))

Hay, FOB's!

I'm listening to some CD's of an amazing energy worker and she discusses animals and their energetic/healing roles. She states that as animals are mistreated and not honored, that degradation in energy filters down to our human civilization...sometimes its not noticeable, but it does filter down. More and more animals are messengers to wake us up.

Oh, do we get it. I thank God I found all of you.

But as people stay asleep, the animals make the message more and more urgent...which explains Barbaro, LITF, Eight Belles, George Washington, Casey and Perseus...

all of them. Even our own domestic pets.

Her name is Barbara Marciniak.

As horrifying as some the acts we've witnessed...the animals are prepared to do what it takes to keep on waking us up. I have always said horses know what they are doing at all times. We don't always understand it, but they know what they are doing...

even when they break our hearts.

Healing, Love, Peace
ONS
Padme

IS ANYONE WATCHING RACING? I GOT A RACING ENTRY THAT ABLAZE WITH SPIRIT WAS RUNNING TODAY. IS ANYONE WATCHING IT AT LONE STAR PARK? I DON'T GET HRTV AND IT'S ON THAT CHANNEL.

THANKS!!
:>)

LOVE,
CHERYL

Praying that the people connected to Eight Belles, folks who knew and loved her, are finding peace in their hearts.

Eight Belles, your beauty continues to shine. Your mighty stride, that carried you across the finish line second only to one, is already guiding people to help horses everywhere. May this time be a giant step for all. Thank you for being our shining star.

ON ALEX WIKI PAGE, THERE ARE ADDRESSES FOR LARRY JONES & RICK PORTER (ON THE EIGHT BELLES WIKI PAGE) FOR ANYONE WANTING TO SEND SYMPATHY CARDS. I DID MAIL LARRY JONES A BARBARO CARD, BUT I HAVEN'T SENT RICK PORTER ONE. I FIGURED LARRY SPENT SO MUCH TIME WITH HER AND HE WAS VISIBLY VERY UPSET, SO I SENT HIM ONE.

LOVE & PRAYERS,
CHERYL

RIP Miss cozy cat

Hiya, FsOB! As our leader of the "Naughty Nutmeggers" Nancy would say, RIP, Eight Belles, and may perpetual light shine upon you. My thanks to Jonna for the beautiful poem in honour of Eight Belles. I agree with Cheryl, I plan to send a note of sympathy to the Porters and the Joneses. Alex, thanks for the info about the TB Safety Committee. I know Dr. Hiram Polk by reputation, as my niece's father trained as a surgeon at the Univ. of Louisville. Dr. Polk is brilliant and independently-minded. He'll be an asset to the Committee. Wishing each of you a great Mother's Day. May it be a great one for Mrs. Jackson as well as for Anne Brennan, Erin's mother, and Mrs. Rea, Mike's mother. Peace, RMH

#### To Lou Ann: A super Mother's Day to our Ms. Annie.
To Padme: You must be looking forward to your journey to AZ. Have a great day tomorrow!
To Mary in WI: Relieved to hear that Day Bue doesn't have osteomyelitis.
Welcome to Terry in IN! I have relatives outside of Corydon. ####

#### To Maribel: Please forgive my delay in extending sympathies to you and your family due to the passing of Snowy. You know that Huskies hold a special place in my heart. ####

Eight Belles,Run with the great Ruffian,

Casino Drive should win the Belmont is a canter. He is by far the best 3 yr old I have seen this year.

The land of the rising sun has yet another potential superstar.

####
MHR Jerri watchers,

The poor girl is moving around a LOT. Her walking is beautiful to watch, but the poor girl is UNCOMFY!

Ro & Brady

Mike C.
I agree 100% Casino Drive is awesome

####
Thank you Robyn.
The words are bubbling inside my head. But I wish to avoid getting banned again, God knows.

Late now, watching the great battle scenes from Braveheart while settling the pack down for the night--they used mostly Clydes and Percherons for the mounts...all those beautiful huge beasts of war.

How long--so far before those times of William Wallace and the Scots beginning to revolt against the English have our horses carried warriors into battle.

This week is still reverberating in my heart. This time last week, they may have been transporting Belles to her necropsy. Her beautiful body still, her great heart silenced. If only...

I feel the sorrow of all who loved her, and hoped for her line to take its place in the pedigrees of great racehorses for ages...

We owe them so much more. Reading tonight: abandoned blind mare, doomed to be shot in a straight to kill pen but for the mercies of one woman. A little old pony dragged to her death by children on an ATV. Children. Lisa giving the cretins at the auction hell--on camera.

Over 25 drafts and little fuzzy ponies saved at Sugarcreek, HBO next Sunday, prayer for Big Brown's feet, dear lord, keep him safe.

So many stories, we must find so many answers. So many pleas for help. Ways must be found to meet the needs of all our rescue groups.

We are all of the same nation. The Barbaro Nation.
We will all watch over Jerri in Nevada's fading day for the night already come here in the east.

Dear God. Keep her safe. She was not wrested--along with her mother and Apple--from the paws of the greedy corporation so that she would meet trouble at this juncture.

God will send all his angels and archangels to keep her and her foal safe--and delivered into the loving life at MHR; if not tonight, then tomorrow--or the next night.

This baby will come on it's own time, as Baby B and Spirit taught us...and as Rob has reminded us.

Sleep tight BBG's. All will be well...dark now in Pahrump, and Jerri is standing. Be safe, Stephanie and Rob and the whole family. I wish we could all be there in person to do whatever we might to make all this right and simple, and safe.

Tomorrow is just tomorrow, but it is another day to get it right.

Courage: no horse left behind...if not us, then who?

###
RobynHoffman
Thank you for your very kind thoughts in remembering our dear Snowy!! She was a beauty!! Black as coal but covered in caked snow from head to toe the day my son rescued her from a native reserve in northern Alberta 7yrs ago...approx 8wks old at the time..a tiny puppy who would have starved to death or frozen if it had not been for the kind heart of my son!!!She was descended from sled-dogs...however no one would claim her??!!!

We will miss her eager spirit and loving heart!!!
There will never be another SNOWY!!!
I'm sure many came to meet her as she crossed the bridge such a beauty she was!!!!

We loved her sooo much...

###Oh, Fren Maribel, how I wish I could bring Snowy back for you and your family.

My heart goes out to you, my Fren. You have already been through so much this year.

Let hope that spring will melt the sadness of losing Snowy.

Put positive energy into thinking about those two little angels who are on their way. Snowy is already watching over them. She always will...and God will send another little guardian into your lives...just watch and see.

No one will ever take Snowys place, that's for sure. She was meant to have your love forever...You can never lose what you've REALLY got, or had. Yes?

Love to you, My Lovely and Dear Fren, Maribel.

O

Maribel -

I join you in sadness ......
regretfully hearing of the loss of your Beloved "Snowy." Sigh - it is never easy and always with such pain that we say good-bye, for now, to our beloved fur-family members. I can say with certainty - that Snowy was met by many we have come to love - and that many of my beloved fur-kids who have gone on were right there also !!

Major HUGS to you ....

Sherry -
Chico, Amigo, Warpaint and Dakota

###
Good Sunday Morning to All,

I haven't been posting much of late; let alone leading the cheers for the Barbaro Bunk & Breakfast (Thank You Shirl!), mostly due to work (dang we're busy! lol). I have been reading here and trying to keep up.

I must say I'm not totally pleased or very proud with some of the things that have been said and done here in the last week. I will not elaborate, we all know what I mean. I will say, Thank You for being family. Emotions have run high and deep in many directions. Emotions are good to have, but not good to react with...unless coupled with deep thought and reason. Nuff said.

I am pleased that we are all famblee. Without that togetherness, through times of strife to make us closer and stronger, only the Horses would suffer. I am damn PROUD to be a member of this hoof-chosen famblee! (Alex, please understand and forgive the language.)

Thank you God for this courageous, dedicated and loving group of people. We have listened to Your messengers, Barbaro, Eight Belles, Fitch, Windchill, and we will continue to do Your work.

Famblee, truly, "Failure is NOT an option." We have ONE true goal: to make life better for ALL Horses.

March forward FOBs! Fight the good fight, we CANNOT lose; we WILL NOT lose!

NO Horse left behind or Ever Forgotten!
Lee

AND ALL OF AMERICA AWAKENS TO THE SIGHT OF JERRI:
STILL BY HERSELF IN HER PEN!!!!
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But as Lucy would say: Maybe today? (Hey, daylight is a good thing, right?)

Off to make the donuts. Three new refugees form the greyhound racing world arriving a week from today...
a month earlier than usual. and an added traveler: a 4.5 year old silver brindle girl...

An unforgivable breach in greyhound rescue etiquette became apparent on tuesday when a group--who shall not be named--announced they would not be able to take their 6 dogs.

OK This is just not done. These dogs have NOWHERE to go. But I'll tell you, us NY greyhound peeps are pretty amazing, and 4 of us are squeezing and making room for the one more dogs...

As my friend Cynthia Cash says,
EVERYTHNG FOR THE DOGS.

Prayers to all (((((((((((maribel)))))))))))))))) for loss and unresolved sorrow about eight belles .
That would be me, and so many more. I hope her connections know how shattered so many people are by her death.

Again: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THEW FOBS--no matter what KIND of mother they are..haha.

Courage: j and the magically increasing GH pack/
(Extra Lub to MHR. These pasture or field-bred mares are a mystery, and they ain't tellin'.)

####
Maribel:
of course, I meant your Snowy. He was greeted in Heaven by the legions of horses and greyhounds who preceded her into Paradise.

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

Interesting links up top; thanks, Alex. I was most impressed that Recapturetheglory's people chose not to risk his welfare, keeping him out of the Preakness because of a fever and atypical behavior. Making the decision a week in advance.

Excerpt from Bloodhorse--Triple Crown Fever piece linked by Alex above:

Recapturetheglory Out of Preakness
Updated: May 10, 2008

(Edited Press Release)

Recapturetheglory, fifth in the Kentucky Derby... (gr. I), has had his Preakness Stakes (gr. I) plans derailed by a fever. The son of Cherokee Run is officially out, according to co-owner Ronnie Lamarque, who confirmed the news at 2 p.m. EDT May 10.

“The racehorse comes first,” said Lamarque, who teamed up with co-owner and trainer Louie Roussel to win the Preakness 20 years ago with Risen Star. “He had a slight temperature, plus a slight pulse in his right front toe. For betterment of racing, we are electing to give this horse some time and let him regroup. We are sorry we will not be coming to Baltimore, but I know it is going to be a great race. We are really going to miss the Preakness experience. We felt we had a live chance to turn the tables on Big Brown.”

The news of Recapturetheglory’s fever came in the early morning hours from assistant trainer Lara Van Deren, who was in Louisville with the colt.

“He just wasn’t acting right. He was backing up against the gate in the stall and he never does that. This morning his temperature was over 102.”

With the defection, it appears none of the 19 runners who lost to Big Brown in the Derby will compete in the Preakness. The last time that occurred was 60 years ago with Citation. [end excerpt from edited Press Release]

And now, thanks to one of my favorite Mothers around here, once again I am happy to share the following email from Harriette Brillianthawk:

May 11 Cherokee Devotional

Happy Mother's Day

Honeybees that relied on early flowers in the garden can now feast all across the meadows. Red clover, honey locust trees, and rose colored Indian paint brush abound in clusters to feed the bees and give peace to the eye. An evening chorus of field sparrows trills in the wheat field and a nesting killdeer demands privacy by doing her broken wing act to side track walkers. The whole meadow teems with activity until dusk---and then a silence pervades, only to be broken by the throaty voice of the tree toad. It is common knowledge among the Cherokee that every animal, except man, knows the main business of life is to enjoy it, and he, the Cherokee, sides with nature.

Seed time is here but your grounds have not been prepared for planting. Go back and plant the summer's crop.

Keokuk 1832

Joe at TB Friends

JOE: happy mother's day joe and cathy
***************************************************
Sunday, May 11th... Yesterday on Southwest Airlines came Christina. She lives in Los Angeles, and I thought she was renting a car. But up our driveway came a taxi, and Christina asks is this the right place? Christina has been with horses all of her life, and she wanted to adopt from Tbfriends. It was love at first sight when Christina spotted Sacred Senor. Christina spent the morning looking at other horses, but it was Sacred Senor she kept going back to. Transportation has been arranged, and Sacred Senor leaves us early Monday morning.

An incredibly sweet girl this Christina. I am writing Southwest Airlines to ask if they could bring us a whole bunch more.

A crazy day yesterday. Horses leaving, horses coming, warm and dusty, with flies arriving from Tucson. At the ranch where I earn the big bucks a little filly named Mighty Morgan was sold, and she was my favorite. We called her M&M. She goes to a fancy barn in Santa Rosa, and I wish her the best.

We got to see Rod Sweet again, and also Phil and Jennifer from Davis. Tara from Marin. My friend Steve from Hoofbeats. Ricky who lives in Martinez. We got to see Ryan and his girlfriend Heather. Cute little Amber who lives in Dixon. Merrisa from Sacramento wanted to take my picture, but then her camera broke, and I told her it would. We got to see Brooke who lives in Fairfield, and her friend Anna who lives in Los Gatos.

From a race track came Warrensgildedtime, and I suppose we will call him Warren. He comes with both testicles, and an appointment with our vet Lisa Wallace has already been made for castration. Warren is a cutie. Like a little arab the way he moves. A big Thank You to Steve at Hoofbeats for providing the transportation.

Tbfriends stands for Thoroughbred Friends, which is what Cathy and I concentrate on. But yesterday we took in a sweet as can be quarter horse gelding, and his left knee is broken. He comes with the name of Justin. A big Thank You to Rod Sweet for providing the transportation.

We bought a thoroughbred gelding from a feed lot in Wilton, and there is a racing tattoo which says he is 9. We named him Elliot, because he looks like an Elliot. A big Thank You to Ryan Andrews for providing the transportation. Elliot is in decent shape, but he is lame.

And now it is Mothers Day, and strong coffee is from Peets. Later we could be 82 degrees. There is no end to our list of chores. Poop on top of poop. Today our friends enjoy horse shows, trail rides, and barbecues. There is a horse auction in Roseville. Enjoy your Sunday, stay safe, and be sure to hug your horses.

Joe

Top Left: Christina is with the new love of her life, Sacred Senor.

Top Right: Say hello to Justin, a quarter horse with an injured knee.

Bottom Left: From a feed lot came Elliot, and already we discovered he loves peppermints.

Bottom Right: This is Warrensgildedtime, and he is still a colt. Warren has very respectful manners.

ALEX AND OR WENDY:
CAN YOU GET THESE CRETINS OFF OUR WEBSITE????????
(oY, THEY REPRODUCE LIKE MICE iF ALLOWED TO CARRY ON TOO LONG...)

AND WHAT GALAXY DO THEY COME FROM?

###Happy Mother's Day to all, mothers of two-leggeds and four-leggeds alike ;o)

###Maribel: {{{to you}}} from all of us who understand. We have ALL been where you are. Snowy is getting to know my three big dogs who left me in an 18-month period of time, and they are showing Snowy the BEST places to run and play--and where to find the best treats.

###Alex, thank you for everything. Again and again.

###Debbie in L.A.: thank YOU for posting Joe's morning blog. Without your post, there would be no archives of his daily musings.

This is such a wonderful group ;o)

Happy Mother's Day to all. Especially my sweet Mom in Hevvin, and all the others who watch over us and keep us from harm, with your gentle hands. Keep us in your loving gaze and continue to encourage us to do all that we can for ourselves and for others.

Hope everyone has a peaceful, restful Sunday

A loving Mother's Day wish to all of you. Maribel, I am so sorry to hear about Snowy. It is never easy, ever to say goodbye. You will be reunited again someday, I hope that thought brings comfort.

Yesterday when I was walking one of the dogs, a hawk feather was on our front sidewalk. This is the second hawk feather I've found in a matter of a year or so.

It had been a stressful day for me....a horse that I have known since he was a foal, one that my first rescue horse, Bill, helped raise, was entered to run yesterday. His name is JoJoDadogfacedboy. JoJo for short.

I love JoJo, absolutely adore him. He is a wild child, has a temper, sweet one minute, then will charge at people, etc. I love him with all my heart. I have never owned him, he was raised on the farm where Bill was (and is buried) and also where Joe lives. JoJo is actually Joe's half-brother.

Anyway, for the longest time, I could not find JoJo, and I feared he went to slaughter. He was claimed from his original owner/breeder years ago, which broke my heart, and I lost track of him. Until....I received a email alert from equibase recently that he had a workout. I was happy beyond belief, and also thankful to God that he had not gone to slaughter.

JoJo has not ran since 2005, has had surgery on his knees, does not run well and this little boy, who I had feared went to slaughter, is still with us, miles from me mind you, but still with us. Anyway, yesterday I was a wreck worrying about him running. It had rained all day in our state and the state where he is, Iowa, was getting just as much rain.

I went to our local simulcast facility to watch him run (I made a promise to him when he was a little boy that I would always watch him run, and be able to say a prayer for him the minute he went into the starting gate.) I got to the track and bought a program, watched the monitor for Prairie Meadows, where he is, and was almost sick with worry. Then, before his race was due, JoJo's name appeared on the TV....he was scratched. Thank goodness.

So, this hawk feather....what does this mean and can it have anything to do with JoJo? If I ever won the lottery, I would buy JoJo in a heartbeat. He is my loveboy, one that I do not own, but pray for each night (even when I thought he was gone). I worry about him especially since he is a wild boy, although he and I got along beautifully, he was always nice to me. I fear that due to his attitude, and lack of running well, that he may not be safe for long.

I lose sleep over this.

It just reinforces the need to get this law passed.

Have a great Mother's day everyone, relax, enjoy the day and then......wake up tomorrow energized and ready to tackle more phone calls, more contacts to our reps.

Do it for little JoJo.

SKYLER
I do believe that hawk feather is telling you to get that boy. Others have done so here, and maybe you can ask them how they went about claiming--or finding out who the horse runs for now, so that IF the time comes, that he is ALL DONE, someone may sell him to you for a song, or you may finds someplace to keep him safe...

There is a lifelong connection between you two. I think God is telling you that you need to try to reconnect with this horse....

IMHO, which is worth a confederate dollar, I am sure...I love your name, btw.

Happy Mother's Day to all you critters, 2 and 4 legged.

Maribel, Bless beautiful coal-black Snowy in hevvin, and may your wonderful memories of him comfort you.

Waiting to see if Jerri has a happy mother's day?
I hope she will produce her foal , happy and healthy today ! I think it will be born around 5am one day soon. In my experience, limited for sure, that is when foals are usually birthed. Blessings to Jerri.

Happy Mothers Day to ALL....

Thank you ALL for your prayers and thoughts for Snowy !! I'm sure it was as hard for her to leave us as it is for us to let her go!!! Does that make any sense???

Jonna my dog loving fren you will understand when I say she was an Alpha female.....she just had a way of being in your face and winding herself around your heart all at the same time!!!! Very protectful of her people!!

I appreciate ALL your loving thoughts...
YOU ALL....GET IT!!!!

HUGS and love on this very special day we are ALL MOTHERS to the 2100 or so we've helped to save!!!

God bless...

### Skyler,

I have to agree with jonna..Hawk feathers are so powerful, such strong signs, I believe, too you are supposed to get JoJo..Maybe we can help with a fundraiser to help joe the horse bring his brother home..What do you say, frens..????

Happy Mothers Day to all FOB's and all Horse mom's.

Happy Mother's Day La Ville

I guess I was not here to post the Update on Erin yesterday. This one is from Saturday, yesterday.

We were at a horse show. I will try to post more about that later.

Google brought me this, and I wanted to share because it has a different feel than any of the other articles/opinions I've read about the fate of Eight Belles. I was especially moved by the closing reference to a piece by sportswriting great W.C. Heinz on a breakdown 60 years ago - "dead an hour and a quarter after his first start, Air Lift, son of Bold Venture, full brother of Assault." - another fallen one I'd never heard of.

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/story/401519.html

Posted on Sun, May. 11, 2008

Why does it mean so much?
Death of a horse tugs at our humanity

By Cary Clack
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

It's "just a horse," yet we grieve.

She was just a horse, but still ...

In 1999, ESPN ran a series of specials counting down the 100 greatest athletes of the 20th century. Its choice for No. 35 was the great 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. This angered many who believed that a horse didn't belong on the list and those who were probably most upset were fans of the athletes who came in behind him, including Oscar Robertson at No. 36 and Mickey Mantle at No. 37.

I had no problem with it. I've been an avid sports fan most of my life, and to this day, the second-most eye-popping, heart-stopping athletic performance I've seen is a human thoroughbred, Michael Johnson, running a 19.32 in the 200-meter dash in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

But the first is Secretariat, red and magnificent, barreling down the stretch at Belmont and winning by 31 lengths and looking as if he wanted to continue running until he'd scorched all the earth under his hoofs.

She was just a horse, but still ...

When the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner and emerging superhorse, Barbaro, fractured a leg in the Preakness, he became the nation's pet and the foremost celebrity animal in the world as news outlets provided round-the-clock updates on his struggle to live. People began to treat Barbaro as, at best, a demigod or, at worst, a human being, and there was the temptation to scream at the TV,

"He's a horse! A horse!"

Yet he'd worked his way into people's hearts and thoughts.

She was just a horse, but still ...

When a dog is wandering in the street or on a freeway, people will slow down, stop, and honk their horns until the animal is out of danger and other motorists, understanding, don't mind. If a dog is hit and still living, people will stop to pick up the dog and take it to a veterinarian. It's a natural affection for animals and an instinct to not want to see them suffer.

She was just a horse, but still ...

The death of the filly, Eight Belles, at the end of the Kentucky Derby lingers and saddens. There will be worse tragedies to strike the republic, and the death of a racehorse doesn't mean a thing to a family struggling with paychecks that buy less -- and health-care costs that consume more.

But there is something poignant about the one filly in horse racing's most famous contest running a superb second to the favorite, Big Brown, and never making it off the track alive. Viewers watching NBC's live coverage of the race, after hearing that she'd collapsed, weren't prepared when the doctor announced that Eight Belles had broken two ankles and had to be euthanized on the track.

Thoroughbreds are magnificent creatures, hurtling 1,200 muscled pounds around tracks at 40 miles per hour. Yet they do it on spindly, fragile looking legs, and a race like this reminds just how fragile they are.

After the race, Eight Belles' grieving trainer, Larry Jones, said, "These things are our family. They've given us everything they have. We've given everything we have. They put their lives on the line, and she was glad to do it."

Well, unless Eight Belles possessed the abilities of Mr. Ed or Frances the Talking Mule, it's presumptuous to say that she gladly gave her life for anything, but the family part is understood.

W.C. Heinz, who died earlier this year at age 93, was one of the two or three greatest American sportswriters ever. Sixty years ago, he wrote one of the finest pieces of sports journalism with his column, Death of a Racehorse, about a promising horse named Air Lift, the son of a Kentucky Derby winner and the brother of a Triple Crown winner, who was making his first start.

On the first turn, Air Lift broke his leg. With detailed but restrained emotion, Heinz described both the decision to put the horse out of his misery and the actual shooting of the horse, a solemn act that broke the hearts of those present.

His last sentence read, "Then the heavens opened, the rain pouring down, the lightning flashing, and they rushed for the cover of the stables, leaving alone on his side near the pile of bricks, the rain running off his hide, dead an hour and a quarter after his first start, Air Lift, son of Bold Venture, full brother of Assault."

Such is the life, and death, of an American racehorse.

She was just a horse, but still ...

FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive

Thank-you! We have just finished drive number 9 in memory of dear Twinkle Toes. We have raised over $900 in 3 weeks. Now we are moving on to Mac at The Humane Society of the Ozarks. Mac is being fostered by Le Ann, who does a wonderful job bringing back starved horses. The Humane Society of the Ozarks needs the funds to take care of Mac.

THIS IS IMPORTANT: Earmark your donations for "Macintosh" or he will not get them.

You can donate using paypal on their website:

http://hsozarks.tripod.com/

The link is at the bottom of the left column just above InPrint in red.

REMEMBER to NOTE that it is for "Macintosh."

Or you can snail mail to:

The Humane Society of the Ozarks

413 N College Avenue

Fayetteville, AR 72701

Again please NOTE that it is for "Macintosh."

$1.00 to $5.00 is all we are asking. At fees for Paypal $1.50 - $6.00.

Remember $1-$5 by snail mail. Group donations welcome. Paypal at least $1.50 to $6.00 to cover all fees. We are asking for your pocket change, not your gas money.

Please report your donation on the "FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive" thread in discussion.

$75 needed.

Thank-you!

Margie

Hay, Sky!

The morning of the Derby, I was at the ranch getting ready to go to a horse show and I found a hawk feather. When it comes, it is specifically for you - be as open to signs around you and then take a course of action based on your discernment of the signs/situations. For my part, the hawk feather was used THAT NIGHT in a smudging ceremony at the ranch with only me and another energy healer. The two of us each played a part in massive energy clearing - me to protect the horses, she to clear the land at the ranch and the both of us combined to clear some horrible density. I have been using the feather to smudge the apartment very often since it needs it now. You may wish to do the same...if you have incense sticks, they work the same as sage/sweetgrass. Don't worry if you do not have any idea what the heck you're doing...its all in the intention.

Be like the hawk in the tree...land on a limb, look around you, get a higher perspective, look down and see what scenarios are playing out on earth. Discern. Examine any options that come to you...you will know from inner guidance what course of action to take...and let the spirit of the hawk be your guide. Once you know, you will be able to act quickly.

God knows that has been happening to me.

###
Martita...MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!And it turned out EXACTLY as you said it would. Check your e-mail.

###
Paid an unscheduled visit to Fair Hill...gave carrots to Tim's and Jose's horses in the barn...since my traveling changed when I would be at the barn, had to tell the horses when I'd be back (on the 25th, coming straight from the airport so I'll be jet-lagged, but I have to be there that morning...can't figure out why...). All is well there.

###
Oh, sweet child of mine...the minutes we had meant the world to me. I'll be back God willing. Thank you for opening to me and letting the love flow. Oh, sweet child of mine...I love you so.

Healing, Love, Peace
ONS
Padme

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY, ALL !

Due to popular demand, and for your viewing pleasure....LOL

Chunky/Punky Update:

Yesterday, Punky went to our horse show. Chunky had the day off and stayed at home.

We entered Punky in all the "in hand" classes and Punky came home with a Blue Ribbon!

We took her through the "Trail in hand" class. Normally you ride your horse through, over, around, all the obstacles. The "in hand" class is for young horses to get used to the obstacles. You lead them though the course.

Punky got a first!

This video is short, but sweet. Punky is playing in the round pen.

Yearling Punky in the round pen

this post is fantastic religious alliance against pornography 698154

((((Punky)))) Thanks Barb.

###

Everyone, check this thread

Boy Needs Help To Get SUPER HERO Home

Jumping in here for a quick minute to say....

*HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY* to alllllll my 'sistersinbArbaro'!!

Two-legged, four-legged, feathered, furred or fins...I know yole are WONDERFUL, LOVING *MOMS*:)

HAVE A GREAT DAY, EVERYONE!!

Lynne-Barbaro's Forever Friend in CA

HELP THE WILD HORSES NOW - URGENT ALERT

Need people to contact BLM by Tuesday 5/13 (details below and at the noted DB Thread)

Urgent Action Alert from American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign - protest BLM helicopter wildhorse roundup

http://forums.delphiforums.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=23568.1

Public hearing on the use of helicopters in wild horse round-up

From: American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign
info@wildhorsepreservation.com
Date: Sat, May 10, 2008 at 1:23 PM

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will conduct a "public hearing" on May 15 to discuss the "use of helicopters in wild horse round-ups".

Please contact BLM to protest the harsh practice of chasing wild horses and burros with helicopters, often over exceedingly long distances. Please also ask that what appear to be no-bid contracts to BLM's primary round-up contractor, Catoor Livestock Roundup, Inc., totaling about 18 million dollars (our tax dollars!) since 1996, be subject to review.

BLM's primary concern in round-up operations continues to be efficiency, to the detriment of the horses' welfare. Instead of helicopters, urge officials to use bait trapping, a much safer and more humane method of capture. BLM has refused to use bait trapping in such instances as last year's Jackson Mountain round-up, when 185 horses ended up dying at the holding facility due to stressed immune systems. Demand that limits on distances over which horses may be chased be enforced, and that accountability and penalties be
established for round-up contractors who violate humane handling procedures.

The 10:00 a.m. hearing will be held this Thursday, May 15, in the Learning Center of the Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Blvd, in Reno. If you cannot attend, please send your comments by Tuesday, May 13, to the Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resource Division, P.O. Box 12000, Reno, NV; fax 775-861-6712; email: Mike_Holbert@blm.gov

For eye-witness accounts of helicopter round-ups, please click here [hotlink at DB Thread]

wildhorsepreservation.com/testimonials.html

On behalf of the horses, thank you for your support.

The AWHPC Team
American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign
wildhorsepreservation.org

STRATEGY FOR MONDAY, MAY 12

In addition to our call list, it’s time to call on the Senate and House leadership demanding a vote on s311 and Hr503 immediately to stop the slaughterhouses from exporting tens of thousands of American horses to Mexico and Canada.

While making your calls today, please mention the HBO Special with Bryant Gumbel revealing thousands of thoroughbred horses that are sent to a brutal death in the slaughterhouse every year. You can also fax them the press release from AWI found here:
http://forums.prospero.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=23539.1

Reps who voted Yea to restore the prohibition on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros. Please ask them to cosponsor HR503

Ed Pastor – AZ
Phone: 202-225-4065
Fax: 202-225-1655

Marion Berry – Arkansas
Phone: 202-225-4076
Fax: 202-225-5602

John Boozman – Arkansas
Phone: 202-225-4301
Fax: 202-225-5713

Michael A. Ross – Arkansas
Phone: 202-225-3772
Fax: 202-225-1314

Mike Honda – CA
Phone: 202-225-2631
Fax: 202-225-2699

David Dreier – CA
Phone: 202-225-2305
Fax: 202-225-7018

Edward R. Royce – CA
Phone: 202-225-4111
Fax: 202-226-0335

Please continue to gather information from your calls and pass that information on to us via email through the DB.

Finally, please mention Americans Against Horse Slaughter when making your calls 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.

We are BARBARO’S VOICE……Let it be heard!!

Shelley and Deb

Hiya, FsOB! Glad to see that Recepturetheglory's owners have his welfare at heart. May his fever subside quickly.
Wishing each of you a happy Mother's Day today. May we have a productive new week. Peace, RMH

#### To Maribel: I understand your description of Snowy being an alpha female; my Pushinka was like that. She was a grey Husky with one blue eye and one brown eye. Shink-Shink loved me from the moment that I helped whelp her Mum, Nina. Shinka was a breech delivery, but alert and active as soon as she was born.
To Skyler, thinking of you & JoJo.
To Padme, I hope that your visit to Fair Hill was a delightful one. It's been a gorgeous day here on the banks of the Thames today.
To Barb, wow, Punky is already a yearling? ####

Jerri is still in holding mode.

Shelley/Deb - will you be posting contact info for House & Senate Leadership - or pls direct us to where that is in the WIKI and/or the DB.

####### Skyler re tracking down JoJo - just read an article that discussed having a central registry for people searching for specific horses (not lost or stolen, but lost track of), and how this probably could best be accomplished via breed registries.

Maribel. Havent checked in much. I am so sorry about Snowy. I know words cannot express the loss. Just know you are in my thoughts and great it is that Snowy had such great love and care. I truly am so sorry.

####
BARB!!!
Happy Mother's Day! Great piece of tape of the beauteous Punky showing her stuff. Love that flagged tail.

Hope your day went well....strolling over to see if there are any notifications from the Brennans. God love those peoples.

Courage: j

yep: erin
and so hoping this is some good news;

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/erinbrennan

If you're feeling lazy, I'll bet Barb will blue link it for you?????

We're spending Mothers' Day in the pool. Three teenagers..........Need I say more?

It has been pleasant.

Here ya go:

Update on Erin

####
Dear, dear Maribel,

I just read about Snowy. I am so sorry. What a shock. I think you just posted yesterday about her, no? As always, Maribel, my thoughts are with you.

Ms. Pudge delivers her Fudge:
wow....what a mother's day

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KRPzOm7vJbw

(For all in Jerri Withdrawal ....)

Happy mother's day to all!

Thanks Alex as always.

Love to the BBH 4-ever!

Liz

Hi everyone,

I just had the most amazing Mother's Day. Kind of like Lynne's Lady at the Fence.

On Saturday I went to Lone Star Park and I accidently ran into the trainer who has one of my favorite racehorses, East TExas Red, that is now retired. He was given to her by another trainer, and she was training him to be a pony horse. He is very intelligent and took to it immediately.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, she said he was at her ranch, and doing very well. When I saw her Saturday, she said East Texas Red was there at the track. Her husband had vanned him in earlier in the week. She asked me if I would like to come to the back stretch and love on him. Does the Pope say Mass?!!

I have been a horseracing fan for several years, but like most people have never been to the stable area. This morning I spent 2 and half hours with her as she feed, brushed, and walked some her horses. Oh my gosh I was in heaven. Since Lone Satr Park is only 12 years old, every barn was in excellent shape and the horses seemed so happy. East Texas Red was on the walker when I got there, but I got to hold him while he grazed, gave him carrots, and just got to pet him and see him up close. It was an unbelievable day and I am still so thrilled. Pinch me! Am I dreaming?!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU MOTHERS OUT THERE! I GUESS I'M TECHNICALLY A MOTHER TO MY THREE ANIMALS! :>) THERE'S SOMEONE (JOHN MAYBE???) WHO POSTS A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO LA VILLE ROUGE EVERY YEAR -- SO SWEET!!

HAVE A GREAT EVENING ALL, THANKS FOR THE GREAT UPDATES & NEWS ALEX!

LOVE,
CHERYL
:>)

About that stallion deal for Big Brown.
Why would you syndicate this horse, a Potential Triple Crown winner before the Preakness??
Wouldn't it be worth more to do it After when he wins??
I smell something bad here,,see: Conqistador Cielo 1982-Travers....

####
Alex:
great piece on the "retirement" demise of our young american equine stars at 3 years of age...Even at my age I remember horses running for more than say, 10 or 12 races...it's a pity.

####'
Good luck to Jerri at MHR who is currently sporting a carrit-orange tail wrap, and is being fluffed to within an inch of her life by the Chickum Midwives....hopefully dispensing their wisdom to the Great Black One.

CJ...Here's the Leadership List

LIST WITH LEADERSHIP OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Senate Majority Leader: Harry Reid ph: 202-224-2158 fax: 202-224-7327
Senate Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell ph: 202-224-3135 fax: 202-226-1374
Senate President Pro Tempore: Robert S. Byrd ph: 202-224-3954 fax: 202-228-0002
Assistant Majority Leader: Dick Durbin ph: 202-224-9447 fax: 202-228-0400
Assistant Minority Leader: Jon Kyl ph: 202-224-4521 fax: 202-228-0034

I know it's late, but I wanted to jump in and say "Happy Mother's Day" to all.

Hope everyone had a great day.

Janice
A forever FOB

Well, I got a wonderful home cooked dinner from the family. I think all helped.

There was only one present to open, from the kids. It was a brand new fly mask for our rescue horse, "Freckles."

I have the best kids in the world!

Happy Mothers' Day to all who are still awake!

#Patty in TX,Im so thrilled for you!! What a happy day for you!! Im a racing fan too,when Ceedreams took us back to Hollywood Park's barns to see her horses thought I was gonna pass out from excitement! LOL

Barb, loved the video of Punky. What a beautiful baby! Patty, what an amazing day at the stables!

Thanks everyone for your words about JoJo. I have never mentioned him on this site before as it was, quite frankly, too painful for me to write about him. Again, I felt certain he was gone and I'm so relieved I was wrong.

My dream is to own him someday and I think that feather really did mean something. I put it near my desk. I just started a new job last September and my goal is to get to the point where I'm successful and where I can be financially able to get JoJo and another of Joe's half-brother's that's running now. So everyday that is tough, those days where I'm ready to give up, I'll look at this feather.

Some people dream of big houses, cars, vacations, etc, but that's not me. I dream of getting these horses safely into retirement, where they can live out their days being happy, safe, and enjoy life.

The only thing I ask of my FOB famblee is your prayers for JoJo when he runs, that he'll be safe and that he can stay safe. I will post when he runs.

Goodnight all and be ready to tackle our list tomorrow.

####
Patty

How wonderful for you, wish I had been there. You have progressed from Rohan to the back stretches - I am impressed. Before you know it you will be a horse owner!!!!!

So happy for you!

Karen Macmanus - Dallas, Texas