Good morning to everyone

Hope you are all enjoying your holiday weekend. It's a big race day today here at Sandown Park - the Eclipse Stakes, named after the famous British 18th century thoroughbred, unbeaten in all races and the originator of the phrase "Eclipse first, the rest nowhere". Should be a very close and open contest this year. The weather forecast has improved a bit for Wimbledon, so perhaps the Williams sisters will enjoy an uninterrupted match - not so sure for Nadal and Federer tomorrow. It should be a good whatever.

Little Tiny Dance decided we should ALLL get up EARLY this morning. See: one more thing Horse peeps don't have to deal with, right? OY: qwhere is the coffee.....where are the finners that still hate this new keyboard.
'
love to allll:
better taking BP meds at night, thank you smart pharmacists.

xxoo: j

GRRRRRRRRRRR: FINNERS!!!

HER NAME IS TINY DANCER.
I am crazy about her. SHe goes out in the morning and just goes nuts: bucking, twirling, racing.....if Loretta is not out there (the ENFORCER on Yard Protocol) Dancer will just go and go. Silver brindle: she must have looked like a gunshot on the track....

Governor KY

Don't like this Mrs. Whitfield and Dall Handcox was taken OFF the board.

Go to run, we are off too KY and Delaware.
Alex I hope you can go, Daryl is going!
This Vacation is all about Barbaro!!!!

###Jonna, do not think we horse peeps get off with sleeping in. Horses give a "whinnyout" to THEIR peeps if the hay is late. Believe me ;o)

I used to sleep with the bedroom window open. (Neighbors used to do that, too). No more ;o)

Now with two horses (and Ryan the Rescue learning VERY well at the hoofies of his younger "brother"), no one gets to sleep in. They can see the house, that means I should be "up and at 'em"--and me without real coffee (I'm doing the coffee bag thing. Not NEARLY strong enough).

Tiny Dancer sounds lovely (if early ;o)

Good day to all, safe running for the hosses, and Alex, thank you.

####
KAY
So many of you are lucky enough to have your horses close enough to look out their stall doors or windows and see your house. What a luxury.

I know Harriette's layout is the same. OK so i take it back....

I'll go to the German pedigree site and see if her pix is featured. She has a very tiny head but a very big brain: collects any still-on-the-floor-bowls and brings them into her crate for further scouring with her tongue.

Good Morning Gang. I really enjoy the fur baby stories here.

Jonna, after everyone eats, I yell out, "DISHES", and here comes Lucky. Every dish is spotless when he is done.

What would we do without them?

Praying for Barb, Nala, Over Enough. May everyone be safe and OK today.

Please e-mail me off the discussion board if you would like to attend the Arlington Million with other FOB's.

The race is August 9th

(it's a day late - I was "off" all day yesterday - but didn't want you all to miss yesterday's ... with an intro by Harriette)

July 4 Cherokee Devotional [sharing email from Harriette Brillianthawk]

We live in the greatest country in the world. We have our problems and we aren't perfect, but there is no place on earth better than the good ol USA. God Bless America and God bless all those who died-- human, canine and equine, to give us the freedom we have today. hg


Our privilege has been to celebrate freedom for a very long time. But many see it only as a holiday---a time to stock up on drinks and food and a chance to be wild. Does anyone remember what happened and who gave life for this celebration?

We have a right to celebrate--but not without knowing why, not without recognizing what the original Americans gave up, what mothers and fathers and service people sacrificed. Every kind of sorrow paved the way for this day. Remember it and teach it and hold it forever before the world. We did not come to such wonderful freedom because we are so deserving. We celebrate because someone made it possible--and we should bless them.


I claim a right to live on my land, and accord you the privilege to live on yours.

Chief Joseph
Nez Perce

July 5 Cherokee Devotional [sharing email from Harriette Brillianthawk]

A world of things exist that we will never be able to explain. But all we have to do is look around us at world events, natural disasters, and at the cold, clear glint in the eye of ignorance, and know that to be somebody we need more than to become clever.

The big deals do not make us. Little steps, little thoughts, words and little acts--who we are and who we will become depends on the small bricks in our foundation. What do we have of contentment? It is the measuring stick for wandering souls who have not lost the way and don't even know it.


I was living peacefully with my family, having plenty to eat, sleeping well, taking care of my people, and perfectly contented.

Geronimo
Apache

Whatever change we can spare. The horses still need us. Donations to the rescues are at an all time low. Let's think creatively to help the rescues.

I know the price of gas is devastating to all of us. But we need to start questioning the gouging going on. Start complaining, begging, whatever it takes. Why does hay cost $9.50 in town when 40 miles away it is $6.00????? Does it cost an extra $3.50 to transport EACH bale and pay the middleman??? We've had no drought issues in this part of the west this past year. This is only starving the horses!!!! I wrote to Pedigree last night. My dog food went from $8.99 a bag to $18.99 a bag in 2 weeks!!!!

I am only one, but my new motto is bitch and complain. It is just NOT RIGHT ANYMORE.

Let's be vocal.

I got upset this morning when I saw on MHR's Homepage that they cannot accept any more horses at this time due to this issue.

Why are dairy farmers only getting $1.68 per gallon of milk, and we are paying almost $5.00 in the store? This gouging is killing the dairy farmer. They are feeding the cows as little as possible while still trying to maintain milk production.

Speak up everyone. Let's not take it anymore.

Congrats to Venus Williams. And if you can, please donate some money to animal rescues.

####
Hay, Margie. (LOL)

Jim at Tierra Madre has been turning away horses for TWO YEARS because he can't get the funding he needs. That's why I try to help him out all I can.

Jim lives in a shack. LITERALLY. It's basically one room, with no air conditioning, here in Arizona where it gets to 115 degrees! The local humane society will not (cannot?) help him. He relies entirely on private donations.

Rescues go under ALL THE TIME. It's just gotten a little worse, that's all.

HERE is a place to comment directly to the BLM about Cloud's herd, and all herds in danger.

####
(Sorry, forgot to give Melissa credit for that link. Thanks, Melissa!)

EXCELLENT ARTICLE posted on the Forum/DB...

Opinion: Horse racing on the verge of irrelevance
Sport has become a victim of its own success, but it's not too late to save

OPINION
By John Pricci
updated 5:24 p.m. ET, Fri., June. 27, 2008

First, it was Jess Jackson, owner of 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, that pleaded for help. Now it’s my turn, a former ink-stained wretch who traded in an old Underwood for a new Toshiba laptop. Congress, please help.

No, I’m not crazy. I fully understand the possible pitfalls here. Like Bill Burbas, a 64-year-old flat-bed driver who rescued me on the New York Thruway after a throttle position sensor, whatever that is, rendered my 2007 Subaru powerless, I, too, have lost faith in the system.

Burbas, salt of the earth life-long Democrat, worries that Barack Obama will be another Jimmy Carter — well meaning but ineffectual — and believes America never again will be the country he grew up in. Technology can’t save it; things have gone too far.

What was the old slogan; better living through chemistry? Well, it’s that kind of technology that’s gotten racing into a mess from which many of the well meaning — inside and outside the industry — believe it can never recover.

I’m being an alarmist? The game is bigger than us all? It was once. But it’s not bigger than public perception. Racing’s approval rating is somewhere around that of Congress or the lame duck, lame brain in the White House.

But, for better or worse, it’s the only system we have.

I’m not naïve enough to believe it was ever strictly hay, oats and water. In a game of big, fast money, people will take an edge. It’s human nature.

Longing for the good old days?

Under the tutelage of Tom Smith, inducted into Racing’s Hall of Fame in 2000 via the Historic Review Committee, the legendary Seabiscuit went on to win 33 of the 89 races, setting 16 track records in the process.

But a year after leaving the employ of C.S. Howard, he received a lengthy suspension for drug violations. So, in retrospect, does that somehow make Seabiscuit something less than? Isn’t it too bad that question needed begging?

Clichés are true, of course. Racing is a microcosm of what happens in life. But in no small measure is it ironic that, despite it’s excesses, this country remains puritanical in so many ways? You need not be a zealot to be a person that cares for the ethical treatment of animals, especially those that helped make America great.

Once a major pastime, racing now exists on the sports periphery. It has become a victim of its own success vis a vis its most visible prize, the one steeped in Americana. That prize is the Kentucky Derby, first leg of America’s Triple Crown.

Breeding a Derby champion no longer is about durability and longevity. It’s about speed and power. Everybody knows that, even in Washington D.C.

By now, the most casual of sports fans know what’s wrong with the racing industry, and therein lies its problem. That perception is out there. The problem for the industry is that perception in this case is built on facts.

Even racing’s harshest critics can accept that accidents can and do happen. But not when there’s so much evidence that man is causing the predisposition that leads to so many of these accidents. We breed a faster, more powerful race horse, pump it up with chemical additives, and keep it racing on therapeutic medication.

What was it that one owner-breeder said in last week’s House subcommittee hearing: The body of Schwarzenegger on the legs of Don Knotts?

In the dictionary, look up the word: “ther-a-peu-tic, adj.1. used in treating disease: relating to, involving, or used in the treatment of disease and disorders 2. maintaining health: working or done to maintain health.”

Nowhere in the definition are the words “to perform at optimum level pain free while infirm.”

Many horsemen and horsewomen I know take better care of their animals than they do themselves. Trainers understand the argument that horses cannot decide for themselves whether or not they want to perform through artificial means, but they also hide behind racing’s permissive rules. But there are pressures.

When livelihoods include factors over which those responsible have no control; the pressure of the racetracks and, by extension, owners to run, and the pressure to win, not only for owners but for the stable help, most horseman will abide by the rules but some will choose to legally win by any means necessary.

Since the House subcommittee hearing, three prominent trainers, Rick Dutrow, Steve Asmussen and Larry Jones, have been cited for drug positives. And jockey Jeremy Rose was suspended an excessive six months for striking his mount in the face with a whip.

In Rose’s case, he claims it was accidental and inadvertent, trying to straighten out his lugging-in mount by hitting her on the shoulder, at once consistent with taking a standard safety precaution while trying to win a race.

Rose is one of the game’s top riders, the regular partner of dual classics winner Afleet Alex, the feel good story of 2005. The horse’s trainer, Howard Wolfendale, accepted Rose’s explanation and apology, and is still using Rose on his horses.

These suspensions can be viewed as the game getting tough while in the spotlight‘s glare, proving that it can police itself. But it also is an industry known for making examples of people before going back to business as usual.

I hope the powers that be — whoever they are — realize that this approach will no longer stand, that the problem won’t be buried in the short memories of the American people, that they can’t afford to wait this thing out.

I’m not sure when it became fashionable in this country to say “I’m sorry, but now it’s time to move on.” It probably was around the same time that people stopped being accountable for their actions. What will the industry say when the next accident occurs?

Animals deserve and require respectful care. As stated, the overwhelming majority of people tethered to the thoroughbred are excellent caretakers. But racing needs to ensure that behavior by imposing meaningful standards and sanctions on a national scale. The best interests of the industry will be served by taking care of the best interests of the horse.

Lamentably, I feel the same way about the industry that flat-bed driver Bill Burbas feels about the country he grew up in. When he said he lost faith because things have gone too far, I told him I couldn’t go there. I told him that as a writer and a horseplayer, a hopeless romantic, I couldn’t let my small piece of the American dream die.

So, why not do this, industry? Instead of waiting for Congress to meddle into your affairs, let every organization and racing-states representative convene in Saratoga. Come for the Travers then lock yourselves up in the Gideon Putnam conference center and stay there until you accomplish the following:

Therapeutic medication will be permitted but controlled; nothing can be administered within 96 hours of a race. Ban all forms of steroids, from birth. What buyers see is what they get. Eliminate all race-day medication. Establish one centralized national betting platform with a takeout so low as to drive rebate shops out of business.

Earmark a minute percentage of the resultantly increased simulcast handle for equine health and designer-drug research. Technology helped create the problem, now let technology fix it.

Make every state racing commission answerable to a central authority and call it the National Thoroughbred League. Appoint a commissioner, one from the private sector, not from inside the industry. Bill Clinton needs a job. Start there and work backwards, but not too far. Get someone who is Einstein smart and loves the sport, figureheads need not apply.

Do this before the House subcommittee calls a second hearing and have the NTL Commissioner tell Congress what the industry is prepared to do, starting with some of the recommendations above, and a reasonable time frame in which to get it all done. Show Congress and the rest of America that the industry is worthy of what once was and can again be a great sport.

Or not. Throw up your hands and do nothing because it’s all too complicated and there are too many reasons why it can’t be done, explaining that you live in the real world and there is no such thing as enlightened self interest only cover-your-ass reality.

Then watch all your chickens come home to roost and begin to reap what you have sown since the sport‘s golden age, the 1970s. Take no action and suffer the consequences or, worse, become totally irrelevant. Then look in the mirror we’ve created and ask: How did we allow things to go this far?

John Pricci is a longtime NBCSports.com contributor and executive editor of horseraceinsider.com.
URL: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25415628/site/21683474/page/2/

I LOVE JOE AND CATHY & THEIR HELPERS> THANK YOU GOD FOR THE LOAN OF YOUR ARCHANGELS.....
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
(The Eights are for Dee & her computer woes: grrrrrrr.Cyber hell.)
***************************************************
Saturday, July 5th...
I could, if I wanted, share with you horror stories of abandoned horses in Northern California.

I could tell you about horses evacuated from hundreds of fires, some are now with us, and their futures are in limbo.

I could tell you about a black thoroughbred mare who was given to us from an event barn, and she is stunning. A tragedy in the family, and her owner can no longer pay board.

I could tell you about horse killer Manny Phelps, and how on Thursday he loaded 16 horses for the long trip to slaughter in Canada. There should have been 20 horses, but Tbfriends brought 4 of them home. All 4 are former race horses. There is a tall gelding who Allison Martino named Ringo, because he looks like a Ringo. Been several years since we have had a Ringo on our ranch.

I could tell you how Officer Tony, a new gelding from the race track, took a nap in his round pen and his legs became stuck in the panels. It took 4 of us to get Officer Tony free, including a passing motorist who was taking pictures from the road. Said he had never seen so many horses. Would it be all right if he snapped some shots? I said sure, but first come over here and help lift this panel.

I could share with you views from our haystack. On the 4th of July we can see fireworks from Cal Expo, Raleys Field, Woodland, and Vacaville. California is on fire, yet they still have fireworks. Sound thinking...

But on this Saturday morning, with a list of chores 5 miles long, and a new wasp nest above our back door, all I can think about is Uncle Scott.

He came within an hour of euthansia. Starving and unhappy, I bought Uncle Scott from a feed lot. Thought for sure I could rebound him. Several months from now he would look like Big Brown. Instead Uncle Scott slid even farther down the healthy pole, and I did not want him to suffer. But yesterday morning, on our day of Independence, Uncle Scott was doing better. Diving into his bucket of grains like I dive into fresh strawberry pie. Yesterday afternoon Uncle Scott was galloping around and around our house. Playing with all the little animals. Teasing the blind old mare Georgia.

I almost pulled the plug. The road to recovery seemed far off. But Uncle Scott has newly acquired strength. He squeals as he runs and plays, always a good sign.

All that is bad in Northern California. Abandoned horses and over flowing feed lots and fires and daily race track deaths. But it is Uncle Scott who has my attention. The first thing I think about when getting dressed. I wonder if he is okay? Did he have a good night? Still dark, but I must go see him.

Funny how one horse will dictate your thoughts. How one horse guides your day. Uncle Scott is a bag of bones. Ugly broken pasterns. Just 6 years old with a racing tattoo. A survivor. Funny how one horse can penetrate your heart and the next thing you know you are blabbing about him to everyone and they are bored but you keep talking because he means everything to you. Funny how one horse can clobber you over the head and you are in love forever.

That tingly, glad to be alive feeling whenever I see him.

Joe

Top Left: A new picture refuses to load, so you get to see Susie, a beautiful thoroughbred mare.

Top Right: That one rare moment in time when there is no poop in our north field.

Bottom Left: This is Ringo, tall and long, and he came to us from a feed lot in Wilton. Ringo has a racing tattoo which says he is 8.

Bottom Right: We named him Jennings, and he is sore on his right front leg. Jennings also came from a feed lot in Wilton, and his racing tattoo says he is only 5. Both Ringo and Jennings love carrots, but not peppermints.

Rest in peace, SHE'S JAZZY, and may light perpetual shine upon you. I mourn your sacrifice on the track at Delaware Park, and wish you life eternal in heaven's green pastures!

Loved Joes talking about Uncle Scott. I think Joem and Cathy must be very much loved by God. ###Ruidoso, New Mexico is about 200 miles from Lubbock. For 50 years the Ruidoso Downs race track has been packed during the races every weekend. This is quarter horse racing. In this mornings paper it said the track may be closed down due to low attentance. The owner said maybe it could be moved to Los Cruces, N.M. I dont know.Maybe the high cost of gas is to blame. However, people would still have to drive to Los Cruces.

jonna, I am with you on the new keyboard problem. Tiny Dancer sounds like a pistole. Dont you like to see them so happy. ?

####
By the way, JONNA, most of us horse owners have other animals, too! We have dogs, cats, ducks, and all sorts of varmints who get hungry in the morning. It's just a matter of time, and who will wake us first!

I see you retracted your statement. (LOL)

Love ya!

Yes, my horsies are right out the back window. At feeding time, they usually set up a real racket.

Also, we can't go anywhere on the 4th of July or New Years eve, because of the fireworks. We have to stay home, because the horsies get all upset over the big booms!

######### Strange horsedreams department

reposting excerpt

(PS: I dreamed last night I WAS a horse. Wow: that only took two years....)

Posted by: jonnagrey at July 4, 2008 12:54 PM

Shortly after my Joe died ('95) I had a dream, I must have been a foal, based on my point of view in the dream; I was running with a herd (my vantage was under their bellies) and saw Joe running in the distance. It gave me peace.

I've had numerous dreams of my horses both before and after RIP, but that's the only one where I WAS a horse.

Another strange one recently that I told a few of you about at the time, I know it must have been triggered by witnessing/learning of breakdowns at the track, I dreamed I was riding Joe on a trail in the woods and he laid down and died right underneath me. I climbed off and went looking for help, but before I reached civilization I saw him running in the distance. (Actually about a months before he died, congestive heart failure, before I realized he was ill, he did fall down under me one day on the trail, seemed stunned, I got off, he got back up and I walked him back home and called the vet.)

Any Zenyatta fans here? :) Im leaving in a few minutes to see her race today at Hollywood Park,JohnC will have pictures up on the DB later tonight!
BarbAz:I sent Jim that letter re. very rich people in L.A. that give millions to animal causes,he said he'll try contacting them! Trying to think creatively for helping our rescues is why I posted it long ago.
Hope everyone is doing well over here on the comments! :)

####
Nancy Jean, how wonderful of you to do that! I hope Jim can find some much needed financial help. If we were to raise some funds for him to live more comfortably, he would give it to the horses!

CJnoperiods,

Long after I lost my horse Tex, I had dreams of running along beside him. I'm not sure if I was a horse or not. To this day, those dreams are very vivid! Three long , sad years ago.

###
NANCY JEAN - Zenyatta is absolutely STUNNING! Safe home to this beautiful girl...

"Sheryl Crow urges preservation of wild mustangs" needs comments.

Thanks.
The Comment Queen

Dear Comment Queen, I met the director of that film, James Kleinert, when the film was aired here in Taos. A Q&A followed the documentary. He was emotional about this body of work. At the time, he lived in Taos. I don't know if he still does. I watched the film until I heard the helicopters, then I had to go out into the lobby of the theater. He needed money to finish the film. I hope many people get to see this documentary.

####
Margie, are you telling me I can't watch it? If you had to leave,I probably can't. I don't even know if we get that channel......Hmmmmm

No, Barb. Go ahead and watch it. For me, I just didn't feel like watching the round up, such as it is. Sometimes I am nothing more than a chicken.

#####
I just wanted to say hello to my loving family and hope everyone is doing as well as possible.

Read Joe's blog and about Uncle Scott...and hope Uncle Scott continues to improve.

Famblee: somehow,someway we have to find alot of miracles to take care and help rescues and our horses and animals...MIRACLES.

Someway, we have to start looking very hard down the road about the upcoming, harsh winter months in parts of the country...can you imagine if the rescues and horses are suffering now??? what is it going to be like latter on?

I want to thank each of you for what you have done and are doing to help animals, horses and rescues...

Also...the $100 fund that Margie is doing helping rescues....any amount and all amounts help....that is a wonderful idea...and thank you.

Maybe we should start on another small fund for each rescue mainly for hay, grains, etc...while it is somewhat plentiful during the summer?

any ideas on anything, I sure will listen...

PLEASE CALL, FAX, EMAIL....need to stop horse slaughter.

Alot of folks I have talked to are mighty upset with Congress....and they want to shorten their terms...and the ones who are not listening to the people...they want them out...they are not doing their job.

Yes....we need change, we need a better way, but we need to stop horse slaughter, transportation across the borders, abuse, and neglect..

Have a bless evening.

Here's how much reality I can take today: I am watching the frakkin Fantastic Four while I feed my critters.

Another breakdown at Delaware Park? Doesn't it seem that they have more than their share?

Watch the round of of mustangs: I think not. I have seen too many elephant cull tapes over the years. One of the most crushing things I have ever watched was one of the culls in So Africa one year. The babies: Oh my God the calves: traumatized for life...what is WRONG with us.

I have many many books on elephants. Photos of the sized of kill ivory taken in the 50-60's: great thickness, great length. huge. photo of latter kill ivory warehouses: these pathetic little cow and calf ivories...

So, keeping in mind my blood pressure: yes, The Fantastic Four.

Love my FoBs. But I too, like Margie, am getting so tired of repressing the anger about ALL OF IT>

How can we afford to live? Pretty much all the food in this house is for the animals...I have the same refidge as most of yole unless you have skinbabies....that's different.

I am seriously putting it out there. ALEX. SHELLEY A, JOHN HOLLAND, DARYL:

WE NEED A LOBBYIST.
WE HAVE TO START PLAYING LIKE THE BAD GUYS.
OUR HORSES ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME--YET AGAIN.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE ABOVE THIS FILTHY FRAY. WE NEED TO GET DOWN INTO IT. IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES.

we do not have the luxury of niceties.Civility.It's time.We need to end this god forsaken evil.

FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive

####

THANK YOU, MARGIE! ! !

Terrific, Margie !!
I support Tierra Madre with a monthly committment .... BUT .... I WILL kick this off with another $8 (Barbaro's number) contribution from Warpaint and Dakota - less carrots this week ....... and Chico and Amigo ..... one or two less pootle biscuits ! IF they can "sacrifice" .... so can we all !

Sherry - Arizona

MARGIE has the right idea: you can eat anything a small bite at a time. As they say on Lolcats: nomnomnom.

The newest application of FoBs pennies, nickels and dimes and dollars is going to help pay for meds to treat an injuried eye at Tierra Madre. And if my calculations are right: it's nearly done:

$100. Zip Zop: Margie: YOU GOT IT GIRL!!

If any of you would like to contribute to something for Steph in CA who lost her Mom, please email me!

barb_az53@yahoo.com

THEN, help me to re-post this message in the morning!

Thanks!

Just checked the DRF...congratulations to the stunningly beautiful ZENYATTA, who continued her winning ways this afternoon at Hollywood Park!

Yes, Jonna, this is a Frakkin Fray. Last night on ABC News they did a story on Congress, and all of the unfinished business before they went on break. The piece ended with them saying, "Don't expect anything out of Congress after this break. It is an election year, and nothing more will be done until February and March 2009."

Also Jonna, the dogs have what they need. They always will. My fridge is sparse. I eat half of what I once did. Even a chicken thigh gets made into 2 meals. And I am just fine. We don't need what we thought we did. Enlightenment.

###
Nancy,
She's Jazzy has been added to the No Allegiance thread. Where she will be forever remembered and honored as the Champion She is.

Lee

ALEX, I OPENED MY BLOOD HORSE AND THERE YOU WERE!! :>)-- OF COURSE I'M A WEEK BEHIND AS ALWAYS!!

I'M ALSO BEHIND ON THE RACE SO I'M NOT GOING TO READ THE POSTS. CONGRATS TO NOTIONAL! I WAS ROOTING FOR HONEST MAN FOR OBVIOUS REASONS! ALEX I'VE BEEN READING ALL YOUR UPDATES, HOPE EVERYTHING IS GOING OK. YOU KNOW I LOVE CURLIN, STEVE TRAINED HIM ALONG WITH SCOTT BLASI SO I AM A SUPPORTER. I'VE HEARD SCOTT IS A WONDERFUL GUY!

BY THE WAY, WHERE HAS JERRY BAILEY BEEN LATELY? HOPE HE'S OK.

LOVE,
CHERYL
:>)

## Candle Alert - Barbaro's candles are at 114.
I think this might be a new LOW ..... let's not set a record for this ...... LIGHT UP FOR BARBARO !

www.gratefulness.org

Sherry

Jonna-

Regarding lobbyists...

Ten grand per year for a part timer who works at the state level here in NC, according to my friend in the NC Horse Council.

We would need big bucks I think :)

(((((((((((((((Margie:))))))))))))))

Good bye 110th session of Good Old Congress.
Next Year: Armed in the streets.
Next year. Playing with the Big White Boys.
Next year: no more Ms. Nice little women.
Next Year: PAID LOBBYIST(S)

We cannot do this another ANOTHER 10-12 YEARS.
(i cannot physically and emotionally pay the price.)

All,

Aside from the June/July wonderful prizes for the MHR Hay Drive... ALL BARBARO! there is the Cafe MHR which offers meals to the wonderful horses. You can take the horse or horses of your choice out for a meal of either a salad featuring Timothy Hay or a fruit salad, or take him/her out for a nice dessert. Another choice is a tip to Nerdy Ned for his hard work at keeping the MHR CAFEgoing for the month of July.

Ro & Brady

cheryl, I think I heard that Jerry Bailey is on vacation. At least I think I heard that during the united nation races today.

####
Thanks, Sherry, for reminding us about the candles! I went on over.

I went to Arlington race track today and had a wonderful time. I saw a Dynaformer baby (2 yrs) run in her maiden race. She had a big kick at the end. I think the race was too short for her and she got 2nd.

Also saw an Arthur Hancock horse win. All horses were safe. They either ran on turf or polytrack. Beautiful weather.

july fifth, 2008 for the fans of Barbaro

sometimes in the backdrop of war raging somewhere else
we see stunning bravery
and selflessness
. this holiday brings the SONG
IS ANY ONE THERE
DOES ANYNE CARE ??
TO MIND FROM 1776

EXQUISITE HANDWRITING ON FRESHY MDE ARHCMENT PAER
SHE WORTES FORM HER HEART
TO HIM
HIS WIFE
,JOHN STRECHED HIS PEN AND QUILL
DEEP BLUE BLACK INK
DOTTED PERFECTLY AND SPILLING INTO PAGES
A RIDER WILL FOLD UP HIS LETTER INTO A SCROLL
AND CARRY HIS LOVE TO HER
MILES INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE TO THEIR FARM

HIS HEART BECKONS FOR HELP
FROM HER
BY CANDLELIGHT
THE TREMORS OF NEW SELF RULE AND IRRITABLE EGOS AND VANITIES
BUT BOTTOM LINE
ALL HAD A PASSION TO CREAT A FRAME WORK FOR THER NEW FOUND AND HARD FOUGHT LIBERTY ..

you can also make a delicate butter reduction the chefs
call it
where you burn off the juice,oils, and get down to the richness of texture and flavor
but it takes effort
and one's whole wits..
a fire
but hey that is the american way
god bless it
-------------------------------------------

the power of .four hooves
pounding on the dirt
flying without wings
the night winds and sumer rain
carry the gift
of
that day
the sheen of his dark brown coat
him
flying to the finnish line
the small peruvian jockey melted into his mane and neck ears upright
barbaro
.his gaze piercing yet wise beyond his years

on the day the jacksons and the NBC staff encircled the stall
they agreed to let him go
reluctant as barbaro was to ''giving up''
he had finally bowed to intense weakness and pain
his confusion
.trying to find the path his footing on no legs left
the direction
in the pain of it all
so unfamiliar to him
and his former magnificent apollo body
gone
he floated past
rapidly gone..in a flash
gone in a second

i have not forgotten---searing brave beauty of a woman.
soaked with tears her voice trembling but firm
she faced the myriad of cameras world wide
never flinching from the high road
listening to her horse
the horse comes first

she hoped each one who loved Barbaro would find a way to carry his bold and other worldly genius to fruition

'she never asked
or demanded
anyone to join them in their deep love of this creature
but thanked everyone profusely
humbly grateful that others felt as she and roy did about barbaro
infact incredulous --

here and suddenly so gone in a split second
all lost the color vanished empty hole
gone out of the day
but the searing lessons he would leave behind and on our doorsteps
are still waiting to be claimed
now almost three years later,
i know how i struggle to tackle
bottom line
the nonsense in congress
the games
the washington way
transient city of easy come easy go
they play
lives fortunes gained on our backs
on the cruel painful tortuous deaths of thousands of horses
..for what
look what doors he opened for years no one would touch these stories
and now
is our opening ..and the bottom line
is upon us
here
.go to the source
follow the money
here it is
lets go
now i am getting to the heart of the darkness
hidden for years away.
.horses dying in vain in silence
now we are poised
to act to plan..
..
..what disturbs the money trail
' arrogance of my culture
that treats these great mythic creatures of all sizes and shapes and breeding
as products
objects to gain financial security of sorts
and the disposable culture locks horns with the deep rooted corruption
of many who simply view horses as a product ..like a machine a car
the perversions of it all this beautiful sport turned.....

horse and their herds
are about partnership.
their palette of communicative skills
their physical powers
can assist us to reach our own mythic life

there is no doubt
as roy jackson said two weeks ago [ boodhorse]
, the few owners present for hours at the hearings in wash dc
he said
we are tired of talking heads..we want action.

we need one of those lobbiest that works for the beef industry or the tobacco industry a real grown up arm twisting lobby-ist

part of my path is about recognizing what is working
and dropping what is not working

. i am looking fORWARD TO FINDING
BY ENGAGING WITH THOSE LEGISLATORS
SO OUT OF TOUCH
THESE BRDGES
IS THAT A POINT???
AND THAT IS WHY
FOR ME
BARBARO CAME TO REVEAL THAT DOOR AND THAT WINDOW.
.THAT IS CALLED PERSISTENCE
HEART
HARD STEADY ON OUT WORK
DEALING WITH THE VERY REPRESENTATIVES YOU VOTED IN
\
THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVE WORKED YEARS TO END THIS SLAUGHTER UNKNOWN TO US-
TRY 40 YEARS \FOR A START
NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO USE ALL OUR OWN ABILITIES
CONTINUE
TOSS OUT WHAT DOESNT WORK
IN A CRISIS
IT IS THE QUESTIONS WE RAISE
THAT WILL GIVE US THE PATH

AND COMBINE OUR EFFORTS SOMEHOW.
THERE ARE MANY INCLUDING THE JACKSONS
WHO WORK TIRELESSLY TO BE THE BEST HORSE OWNERS IN TEH BUSINESS ..ALL LIFE CONSUMING-NO TAK TEY ARE ALL ACITON
LOOK A THEIR RECORD
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE VERY CROWD THAT PERPETUATES SOME OF THESE ILLS
THERE ARE TRAINERS WHO DO NOT TELL THE TRUTH
..AND ARE JUST AS OFFENSIVE AS THE TRAINER THE PRESS AND MANY
ALBEIT WITH SOME GOOD REASON -
HAS SOUGHT TO VILIFY -BEYOND

it appears to me
how to make those folks want to save their livelihood
in a more nobler way
.me being the change i want
it worked for gandhi
should work for me
a thought
to visualize what i want .
i pray for peace and strength
resolve
..to keep on
find new ways to be heard
as if this is one of those invisible lessons in itself
another gift from barbaro

there is a mystery and an anthropology
to this cloth
and as i look at barbaro;s portraits
i see the power
integrity of an invincible old soul
can i meet him
can i match him
just even one tiny corner?
give him voice
his voice so royal so clear and so redemptive.

martita

from Martita's tome:
"we need one of those lobbiest that works for the beef industry or the tobacco industry a real grown up arm twisting lobby-ist

part of my path is about recognizing what is working
and dropping what is not working."

Christian: I don't care what it costs. We will have to pay what it costs. What we are doing to save these horses is NOT WORKING.

TIME TO MOVE ON TO SOMETHING THAT MIGHT WORK.
God knows we have a whole damned year to get it right: 90,000-100,000 horses will die during this 111th session while be walk backward.

Maybe we can reinvent ourselves.
Maybe.

And can someone please update the numbers of horses saved and dollars raised. Seems like we've been looking at those same numbers a long time. THANKS

The vet came out yesterday morning to give all the horseys their shots and give them a good lookover. He said they all look great, but said he heard on his exam that my Scout has a heart murmur :-(... Do any of you all have experience with heart murmurs in horseys?? Lee(vet) acted like it was fairly common and didn't seem overly concerned... CJ, Barb, anyone know about heart murmurs????

Good Morning Gang. It is so beautiful here this morning. The dry, hot Spring is starting to let go. Monsoon season should arrive by the end of the week. The air is more humid now.

The words of Martita are stunning this morning. "The arrogance of my culture......" It is embarassing most of the time.

Giving a shout out to Federer (owns his own jet), and Nadal (owns several apartment buildings), to please donate some money for the horses.

Jonna, here is a story for you.It shows what frustrated people will do.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25540602/

What a lovely story about Ask The Lord. Just wonderful. God Bless him.

Hi Harriette

don't know how common heart murmurs are in horses, but my dad's horse had one and he lived to be 30. I have heard that it is found in thoroughbreds more frequently than other breeds. Big Jim was a thoroughbred and I don't remember that he had any special treatment. Now they can medicate if it causes irregular heartbeat or any other symptoms of cardiac insufficiency. Have often heard it said that it can be completely without symptoms and can be heard sometimes and sometimes not. There are all sorts of diagnostics that can be performed to look at his heart and probably all you'll learn is that he has a murmur, which you already know,and he probably has had it his entire life :) He'd probably say dont werry soooo much, Mom :)

Thanks, Cheryl, the vet didn't seem overly concerned, but Scout is my big blue-eyed baby and I am soooo in love with him...can't help but worry, Scout is a paint, no thoroughbreds here..just a rag tag bunch of very loved, spoiled field ornaments...

I hear ya, Harriette. No matter how many times you're told "don't worry", it just never happens. But I'm sure he'll be perfectly fine and have as long and happy a life as he would with no murmur :)

####
Margie, we, too, heading into monsoon storms this week! We need the rain, but I hate everything else that goes with them......lightning, damaging winds, downpours...why can't it just RAIN? LOL

####
Harriette, glad you got your heart murmur question answered, because I know nothing!

ALL,

If any of you would like to contribute to something for Steph in CA who lost her Mom, please email me!

barb_az53@yahoo.com

FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive

We have finished drive number 29 and have already started drive number 30. We have raised over $2900 for rescued horses. THANK-YOU!!

For information on the next drive, for Marigold's eye surgery for Double G Stable and Farm, click on the link below:

FOB $1-$5 Alive Drive

Remember we need your pocket change.

Thank-you!

Margie

Harriette, havent had much experience with murmers in horses. However, my brother was born with ont. Dr. said it would never bother him. He played football, was a green beret and jumped out of airplanes in the Army. They army dr. told him it was very common. When Chief was 3 mos old (and could go inside the vets office) his ver said he had a heart mummur but no problem.now that we can go inside (that took 10 years) and is almost 13 he still has the mummur. As I said I dont know about murmmurs in horses but I think it would be the same. thats vet not ver. will never get used to this keyboard.

jonna, you are right. What we are doing is not working as I dont think our present congress is ever going to really listen to us. Do you know how much a full time lobbist would cost for a year? I dont know how FOBs there are but maybe if everyone pitched in we could maybe at least have a half time if we cant afford a full time. we will have to go into the 111th congress. We have not failed the horses our senate and congress have failed us all.

Our Petition to Save Cloud's Herd is at 2,375 signatures, NEARLY half-way!

Please continue to send to all you know, as we have only till Friday (July 11th.)

Thanks!

Margie: you mean removing the head in the wax museum? Not what I had in mind.

And as for the original creature...that doesn't make any sense to me attalllll. He was an instrument of the devil, and I don't think of myself that way, cough cough.

Hope the weather is not heinous where you are...so, I guess this means I ought to water my two cacti then?

Harriette:
Just my two cents: murmurs are so common in gh we hardly take note of them. I have had many who had lived good long lives with grade 3 murmurs--that never changed throughout their lives, BTW>>>>

DON WERRY, MOM.

####Barb, my land is the same dirt adobe brick is made of. When it is soaked, it's a sucking quagmire. I noticed this morning that some of my rain gutters were torn off in yesterday's winds. When the monsoons start, not only will the hair be frizzy, but the canyon walls start collapsing and we get stranded.

I don't know why it can't 'just rain'. It's too dramatic. But the sky is gorgeous.

CLOSE TO 120 ON JOE'S FARM WITH REFUGEES FROM THE ENDLESS CA FIRES: GOD WATCH OVER THEM ALL....
****************************************************
Sunday, July 6th..
We have taken in horses evacuated from fires, and you should see us now. Elbow to elbow, hock to hock. Any step you take, and horse poop will cling to your soles. We are in the deep heart of summer. Later today could be 98 degrees. 104 for Tuesday. Yuck. Hanging out in the produce isle at Raleys. Nice and cool there. Tomatoes on the vine for $1.99 a pound.

We constantly rotate horses so they may have a few hours of shade. Thoroughbreds enjoy yelling a lot. Screaming is a better word. Neighbors quickly put out their For Sale signs.

In 2001 we had 164 horses on our ranch. Northern California was flooded. It would take 4 hours to feed. Days were short. Come inside for a cream cheese on datenut sandwich, then go back out for supper feeding. I lost a cell phone in the mud. Many combs. Gloves. Several baseball caps. More than one chapstick. Pocket knives to cut hay twine with. Buried all over our ranch lots of good stuff. Ear phones and a radio. Two coffee mugs, including one that says Loser. Still miss that mug.

Not sure how many horses on our ranch at this moment, but we are close to 120.

Nothing worse than wondering about your animals when a fire hits. That sick, this cannot be happening panic. Horses evacuated from fires are fitting in fine. Some were stressed, and some come with a no big deal attitude. Just another road trip, and what time is supper?

Not often we get a horse like Indy. Sound, and a beautiful mover. Two years old from the race track, and still with his testicles. Yesterday 10 year old Taia played with his face. 12 year old Allison took him for a long walk. 13 year old Kaitlynn groomed his entire body, and Indy stood so nice. His new home is with Kenny, Anne & Taia who live in Grass Valley.

Indy will leave us just as soon as castration takes place. An event trainer from Santa Rosa is angry with me. She wanted Indy badly. I just feel for Indy this is a much better situation. A loving family who own and operate a boarding stable. Indy will live like royalty. Taia bringing him treats...

Enjoy your hot and smokey Sunday, and be sure to hug your horses. We send good thoughts and prayers to all involved with the fires. If we can help with your animals just give me a call. 530-383-2120.

Joe

Top Left: The very handsome Indy gets a new home with Taia, Kenny, and Anne.

Top Right: I bought Dutchess from horse killer Brent Sanchez, and in our fields she loves to play.

Bottom Left: It seems like each day there is one photo which refuses to load. You get to look at Ringo again.

Bottom Right: I bought this gelding from a feed lot in Wilton. He moves a little slow, so we named him Dial Up. There is a racing tattoo which says Dial Up is 10. Dial Up is in okay shape. A little hungry, and a little stiff. He loves apples and peppermints.

###Jonna, there are several things I could do to that wax dummy with my curling iron.

Over on the discussion board, we are trying to raise money for eye surgery for one of RT's horses at the Horse Feathers Equine Rescue.

Jack was abandoned and Horse Feathers took him in. His left eye has been destroyed by a beating or a stabbing. He needs it removed because the risk of infection is extremely great. The estimated cost of the surgery is $1,000.

We have a lead on a grant that will pay up to $300 for the surgery but we must raise the balance of $700 first before the organization will donate. We are getting close, but any help would be much appreciated - $5, $10, it all makes a difference.

See the thread called Horse Feathers, OK-Please help Jack!

Thank you. The FOBs are the best.

Amy C.

####
Margie:
you with your curling iron, me with my super heated
shishkabob skewers: damn, I think we'd do just fine in DC....lol.

well said Marita!

STRATEGY FOR MONDAY JULY 7

Both the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV), have the power to bring the bill up for consideration in their respective chambers, therefore it is vital that as many people as possible, both at the grassroots level and internally within Congress, insist that the House Speaker and Senate Majority Leader do everything in their power to afford the bills legislative due process and bring them immediately to the floor for a vote.

Speaker of the House - Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) DC Phone: 202-225-4965 Fax:202-225-4188

Senate Majority Leader - Harry Reid (D-NV) DC Phone: 202-224-3542 Fax:202-224-7327

It is our understanding that more co sponsors would certainly facilitate our efforts with Speaker of the House Pelosi and draw the much needed attention to this legislation. For this reason, we will be posting the names of Representatives that we will be targeting.

Christopher Carney – PA Phone: 202-225-3731 Fax: 202-225-9594

Paul E. Kanjorski – PA Phone: 202-225-6511 Fax: 202-225-0764

Charles Dent – PA Phone: 202-225-6411 Fax: 202-226-0778

Tim Holden – PA Phone: 202-225-5546 Fax: 202-226-0996

Tim Murphy – PA Phone: 202-225-2301 Fax: 202-225-1844

J. Randy Forbes – VA Phone: 202-225-6365 Fax: 202-226-1170

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

The story of Cloud is on PBS. Please let out appeals be heard for the the welfare of America's wiled horses....

###
Dear Frens and Famblee,
I am excited beyond belief to be able to announce, on behalf of our very own FoB Lyn Lifshin, her new book of poetry. Anyone who's read Lyn's tribute to Ruffian (The Licorice Daughter) will want her tribute to Lost In The Fog.
I have been anxiously waiting to tell you all. We were all set a couple of days ago, but then Lyn noticed some ordering information was left out. All ordering info is now here and you can order directly from the publisher. If you order BEFORE Sept. 10th, there are NO SHIPPING charges. You can order online or by check/money order also.

I cannot wait to get mine and read it! The cover is Pat DeLong's painting of Lost In The Fog! I have started two thread on the DB with ordering information; one in the Lost In The Fog folder and one in the Horse Racing folder.

NO Horse left behind or Ever Forgotten!
Lee

My heart beats for your heart, Barbaro, always and forever! Run with the angels honey!
And all love to the entire Heavenly Herd who takes me to where angels walk!

always with love,
Lou Ann

Hello everyone. I just wanted to let ya'll know that Mike Rea's blog is up and has a lot of new things on it. We hadn't blogged in a while and wanted to give an update plus put things on there about ABR and the FOBs. We have also included some of what is going on for the weekend of the Celebration of Barbaro's Life. Hope you enjoy and Mike, mother and I can't wait to meet more FOBs and enjoy all the festivities this weekend.