NBC's The Today Show discusses Eight Belles with Trainer

[nin12dog]

"it's not THAT cruel!" wow....

[ASimpleHorse]

Simple: raced to hard, to young.

[21Sarabi]

Horses are herd/pack animals. There are some that are more competitive than others and yes they love to run and have that heart or will to win. If a 1200 pound animal doesn't want to run believe me they won't. You have to work around or know horses to understand this.

[TheSqueenie]

... 2 not so great horses can come a grand champion, etc... so the horse racing industry is the one that provides the greatest number of horses that end up unwanted and in slaughter houses, kill brokers love TB's because of their lean meats, and they have a great supply of them. I don't agree with rodeos either, or extreme jumping/ eventing. This year horses died at the grand National (just like every year) and many not mentioned injuries. There is no need to put horses in harms way like this.

[TheSqueenie]

And the difference in your "sport" is also that the horses are slaved, abused and discarded, not paid... real athletes are playing sports on their own will, showing off their own talent and they are paid big bucks so if any injuries happen their future is still secure... dumb comparison by a dumb, selfish and greedy person who doesn't have the well being of the animal on their mind... just dollar signs.... I hope this "sport" gets banned!

"they run because they like to run".... jerks!

[FireGirlG]

@TheSqueenie You can't force a horse to run 40 miles an hour. Trust me, it's impossible. Many of them really do love to run and love the track.

[TheSqueenie]

@FireGirlG sure they love to run but not to those extremes, why do they need the whips then?, why do they gate keepers have to bite the horses' ears before leaving the gate?, why would an animal run to exhaustion?, they simply don't; "the love it" is a stupid excuse to justify this form of animal abuse, the only times horses run until they almost can't breath or walk anymore is when they are in danger escaping from something that is going to hurt them, they are flight animals.

[TwoPrimas]

"This sport is not THAT cruel" he is meaning it's NOT AS CRUEL as people say! Geez, read between the lines a little people!

Most of you probably don't even know how good of a sport it actually is.

Like they say, dont judge a book by it's cover(:

[bubblinbrownsugar616]

@TwoPrimas I agree. Before judging, people really need to research like I did. I still got a lot to learn, and some things I'm not okay with but I respect it. Hell Thoroughbreds live better than most humans.

[21Sarabi]

@dancingbrave, they have already changed out dirt surfaces(not all) to pro-ride or poly track, and have already banned certain drugs and or medications from certain states.

[horseracing2009]

omg it was so bad she was put doen before her trainer even knew she was hirt i can't imagine how much pain she was in! :'(

[dancingbrave24]

american dirt racing should be abolished and americans drug their horses thats what needs to be stopped

[SaveRaceHorses]

Race horses die because they are to young to race and there bones don't get strong enough.

[FanOBarbaro]

I also have to disagree...it wasn't the injury that killed Barbaro, it was a disease called laminitis

[horseA123]

@FanOBarbaro The fact that he couldn't put weight on all four feet caused the laminitis; therefore, the injury did indeed cause his death. Horse racing is a ridiculous sport. You do NOT run horses at the age of 2; their bones are not finished growing and they should never run at this age.

[FanOBarbaro]

@horseA123 horses are gonna run at ANY age.ever seen foals galloping out in the paddocks next to their dams?or seen a two year old careening through the pasture?

[TheSqueenie]

@FanOBarbaro foals don't run with a 120 pound person on their back... they don't even let these horses grow properly...

[FanOBarbaro]

@TheSqueenie if you had ANY of the insight into Thoroughbred breeding that I do you'd know that statement is idiotic and untrue

[TheSqueenie]

@FanOBarbaro breeding, breeding is what everyone says... please... they are living creatures, they feel pain, they feel tired, they are not machines... the people who support this "sport" don't think about the animal, the horses get injured and are killed, the ones that can't run anymore are disposed of and a lot of them end up in slaughter, you will always have an excuse to justify this abuse, after all you are human and most humans always put their own interests before anything else.

[FanOBarbaro]

@TheSqueenie I never said they weren't living creatures.And I support this sport,and the welfare of the animals are ALWAYS on my mind.And horses don't just get injured/killed in racing.That happens in ANY horse sport you watch.Even the sport I compete in,Eventing.And NO while I will admit SOME horses end up in slaughter,a great majority of them go on to 2nd careers.an overwhelming 80% of the horses at my barn are off-track thoroughbreds.And there are more abusive sports than racing.umm rodeos?

[FanOBarbaro]

@TheSqueenie and if there is ONE thing i DON'T do, it is putting my interests before anything else.I NEVER put my interests before the welfare/best interest of a horse.I would NEVER jeopardize anyone of my horses by doing that or by riding them when they are not totally fit.I have actually dismounted half way through rides before and refused to continue on because i doubted a horse's soundness

[TheSqueenie]

@FanOBarbaro I am not making personal accusations against you, as I don't know you nor what you do with your horses. I am talking about in general, the grand majority of people that support this don't think about the horses, they just think about the rush of the race, the potential of the price and the pride in winning, in having the best horse. You don't think the way race horses are bred is irresponsible?... it's a number's game with all breeders of race horses, because from...

[horseA123]

@FanOBarbaro Yes, I have; they love to run. When not forced to run as fast as they can, while being whipped.

[FanOBarbaro]

@horseA123 trust me.those horses aren't "forced" to run.You can't force a horse to do anything it doesn't want to,and if you try to,that's a head to head battle you wont win

[horseA123]

@FanOBarbaro That's ridiculous; of course we force them to do things they don't want to do every day! It's a head to head battle that we DO win, all the time. What horse wanted to have a saddle, bridle and rider? We tell them to run, they run. It's like the 2 yr old kid at the top of the hill in San Francisco on his tricycle. Should he ride it down the hill? No. It's his parents (read owners) responsibility to tell him why he can't and to protect him.

[futurejockey8]

@horseA123 you can never FORCE a half ton animal to do a thing that they absolutely DO NOT want to do. It is simply SUBMISSION. They are powered by WILL. A mere human cannot truly control them without the horse's submission.

[horseA123]

@futurejockey8 Exactly, they are submissive. So we CAN force them to do what we want, whether they like it or not; whether it's good for them or not. You really have no point. "Future jockey"; great just what we need - more people to promote a disgusting sport.

[futurejockey8]

@horseA123 they SUBMIT when they WANT TO dumbass. You clearly have no experience with horses.

[horseA123]

@futurejockey8 I do have experience with horses which is why I am done arguing with you; you don't know what you are talking about and you are refuting your own "facts". Anyone who resorts to calling someone "dumbass" clearly has no case and no defense for their own argument. When people resort to name-calling, I know they have no more "facts" to back up their claims and that they are now on the defensive.

[futurejockey8]

@horseA123 uhhh okay. Well, if you have experience with horses, you know that you cannot FORCE a half ton animal to do ANYTHING. Humans ASK the horse for an action. If the horse refuse, humans commonly ask repeatedly until that horse uses WILLPOWER and completes the task we ask for. With your argument that horses are forced to do everything, (and I'm assuming you ride) you FORCE them to move every leg when they step. I'm sorry I can't get this obvious of a fact through your thick skull.

[horseA123]

@futurejockey8 Ditto with your thick skull and I'm done arguing - everyone else gets it, I'm sure.

[futurejockey8]

@horseA123 awww don't run away! Run out of arguments? Thought so. Anyways, yeah, I'm sure everyone understands what I'm saying. This was fun :D Bye!!

[horseA123]

@futurejockey8 Actually, I'm pretty sure everyone understands what I'M saying. I will never run out of arguments about the BS about racing. I'm still trying to figure out what part of this is fun for you? You just like arguing with me? How stupid. A horse is still dead. No part of this is fun.

[futurejockey8]

@horseA123 nope, dead or dying horses are not fun. Clearly you are still willing to argue :D I'm game. So what's your next argument, huh?

[horseA123]

@futurejockey8 Ok, I get it; you're a kid; you haven't seen enough yet. Maybe some day you will get it; unless you're just so focused on the glory and money of racing that you just don't care or you just don't care about horses at all. I love my horses; I wouldn't ask them to do this at age 2 (it could be 1 in the thoroughbred world with their Jan 1 birthday no matter when they were born) and neither should you. But, clearly, you don't care. That's just digusting, I'm done.

[futurejockey8]

@horseA123 yeah I'm a kid, but I've been around the true racing industry for a decade, ever since I was five. I DON'T believe we should be racing horses at age 2 or basically before they are completely developed. I DON'T believe in the drugs (I do believe that Lasix helps but in America we are using it as a crutch these days). I CARE about the horses. Unfortunately, my future job is not one that can influence large decisions about the horses. If you can't/don't believe me, you can suck my dick.

[horseA123]

@futurejockey8 You could have left the last line out; it's just disgusting and makes me wonder what kind of parents you have that allow a kid to use that kind of language. Regardless, I like your arguments, but if you believed your own arguments you wouldn't enter this sport. You would boycott a sport that promotes racing at the age of 2. Since you are not willing to boycott the sport, you are clearly willing to put aside your own beliefs to make money.

[futurejockey8]

@horseA123 Suck my dick suck my dick suck my dick. Who gives a fuck. And I wouldn't care if I didn't get payed at all to ride races. I wouldn't care if I starved to death because of that fact. This is my passion. This is everything to me. I'm not going to protest a sport because of a few kinks. I would protest those KINKS, not the entire fucking sport.

[horseA123]

@futurejockey8 A few kinks???? You are too much - not willing to stand up for what you know is right as long as you get what you want. Take your gross language and your stupidity somewhere else. There is no point arguing with an idiot. You don't protest anything, you wimp.

[futurejockey8]

@horseA123 yup, a few kinks. That's all. You clearly know nothing of this sport. You are the weakest link. GOODBYE :D

[RobbytheLion]

@FanOBarbaro You can break a creature's spirit and torture it to the point that it will do anything you say. It's amazing how pain motivates an animal.

[FanOBarbaro]

@RobbytheLion these horses are NOT tortured.trust me

[RobbytheLion]

@FanOBarbaro Well let's see: being kept in a stall indoors 23 hours a day, forced to run like hell with a nervous midget on your back smacking your ass with a whip, wearing a metal bit that hurts your mouth, and the constant threat of being killed and turned into some European's dinner if you get injured or don't win enough. And lets not even mention the abuse suffered from some grooms trying to force the the horses into the gates. Doesn't sound like a great life to me.

[spam1237]

Chelokee(sp) came out fine/healed well and was retired.

And people Eight Belles didn't have a chance to live unless you would want to amputate and try to put fake legs in which might of put the smae stress on her if they might have tried to operate. But both ankles/fetlocks were broken and blood supply broken. So sadly no chance.

I also have to slightly disagree about the money bit. There are some good owners and trainers/jocks etc.. Who care about the sport for the horse and the love of it.

[21Sarabi]

What a true horseman!! God Bless him!

[LovemeandPeace5656]

I don't like Matt at all! He killed Eight Belles and doesn't even care bout it...... He didn't give her a chance to live... she died at such a young age... R.I.P. Eight Belles

[iqreevo]

She broke both ankles. there was no chance of her surviving with that serious of an injury :( no one killed Eight Belles - it was just a tragedy.

[Kurplutzo]

Matt doesn't doesn't where the Kentucky derby is. He probably thinks horses dissappeared along with the dinosaurs.

[danalimb]

and matt did u have a bet on it "even a pool"were u rooting 4 your horse?

[bordelon1111]

"wait, so your saying this sport is cruel" what a dick matt is!

[MeOhMy50]

Totally agree with you! Makes me dislike Matt completly!!!! pulling shit out like that, stupid public not understanding this sport or the horses!!! ahhh

[Roadie02]

I love horse racing, but the horses are run too young and they are built with bones like toothepicks. Maybe not running 2 year olds would help. They are just not grown enough, christ they're knees aren't even closed yet. I know it is all about money and much won't change. Let's take more time to take care f the horses first.

[iqreevo]

Maybe the breeders should choose to breed their mares to sounder stallions to. Cant just blame the trainers - they do the best they can with what they've been given :(

[Horsiegirl913]

Me and my dad like Old-Fashioned too

[BarbaroBabe09]

I love Larry.

I hope their colt, Old Fashioned, keeps up his undefeated streak.

So far he's my favorite for the Derby.

[shahrzad1893]

the injurys didnt kill barbaro the laminitis did >:(

[FireGirlG]

We all know this. But to really consider it, they did kill him indirectly. He wouldn't have gotten laminitis if it wasn't for the injuries.

[shahrzad1893]

but the injury was an accident they didnt want him to break his leg

[FireGirlG]

Hold on, I meant that his broken leg killed him indirectly. Because if he hadn't broken his leg, he never would have gotten laminitis. Now do you understand what I'm saying? I didn't mean to type "they" in the other comment, sorry.

[shahrzad1893]

oh now i understand i thought you were blaming his trainer

[FireGirlG]

Oh no of course not. I have a lot of respect for Matz. I was just frustrated that so many people feel the need to correct someone that it was laminitis that killed Barbaro and not his broken leg. I used to do it too, but sometimes some people, like in the video, are not actually saying that the broken leg killed him, it was what followed.

But no worries, no big deal. :)

[shahrzad1893]

o ok

[horseA123]

@shahrzad1893 Well, if FireGirl won't say it, I will. Michael Matz rode Grand Prix show jumpers for years and knows damn well that a 2 year old horse's bones aren't ready for this stress. An 8 year old is considered "green" in Grand Prix, for a REASON. He makes me sick and I have lost all respect for him. It goes without saying that I have no respect for any other trainer, owner, or veterinarian who works in this so-called sport.

[shahrzad1893]

@horseA123 I posted that comment 2 years ago.

Please regard the dates, and please don't start ranting on my comment because we obviously have different view points.

Youtube is no place to start some stupid online argument.

[horseA123]

@shahrzad1893 I don't believe it's a "stupid argument" if you still believe that it's all right to run horses at the age of 2. If that's how you feel, then there is no talking to you as you obviously have no respect for horses. So keep betting and trying to make money; good for you. Just look the other way while young horses die.

[shahrzad1893]

@horseA123 Hahah you are one sadly mistaken child, And if you are not a child then you are one stupid individual.

I was referring that "ONLINE ARGUMENTS" are stupid, please learn to read out of context, I didn't even mention racing in my previous reply but it seems that you are so hung up on the matter that it's all you can reply with.

I never said it was alright to run horses at two. You are just putting words in my mouth to make me look like the 'bad guy'.

[horseA123]

@shahrzad1893 See above, grow up and gain some class.

[FireGirlG]

@horseA123 The only one here who needs to grow up and gain some class is you. You ignited the argument and accused shahrzad1893 of something they never alluded to. Your comments, though passionate, I found to be crass and accusatory. This accomplishes nothing other than making you look like a bitter fool. You're entitled to your opinion, but do not point fingers. Your heart is in the right place. Your head is not.

[horseA123]

@FireGirlG I should have said refer to below; the language this person uses is unnecessary and shows no class. You can say something without throwing around the F bomb. I did not ignite this argument; his/her ignorance did. I have said nothing crass; I am not the one swearing in a public forum. "Bitter fool?" I'm not sure where you earned your psychology degree, but you had better pick a different university.

[shahrzad1893]

@horseA123 And you have NO FUCKING RIGHT! to say I have no respect for horses I have been riding for over 11 years, training and caring for them.

You probably wouldn't even be able to care for one properly for a week.

And for your information I never bet on horse racing, I never gave the intention that I did.

Please take narrow minded and stupid arguments somewhere else, because the last thing I have to do is justify myself to the likes of you.

[horseA123]

@shahrzad1893 YOU are the one who said we had differing viewpoints, so I have every right to assume you agree with this sport.  I have been riding and caring for horses for over 30 years, so your argument about my not knowing how to care for a horse doesn't hold water. Your language indicates your stupidity and I have nothing left to say to someone who has no class.

[shahrzad1893]

@horseA123 I'm sorry but since when are swear words a sign of stupidity or allude no class? I have never met you in person and I hope I never do. Really at this point I'm going to leave it at that.

(And just so you know, since you like to twist my words, I was not appologizing for anything.)

[horseA123]

@shahrzad1893 Time and place. Kids have access to this forum and that language is inappropriate. If you don't know when not to use poor language, I can't help you. By the way, you started a rant against me after I expressed my ire at Michael Matz. At that point, you said we had differing viewpoints - obviously, that would lead me to believe that you agree with this sport. I did not twist your words.

[shahrzad1893]

@horseA123 Really! Haha. Well it's not my job to care about what kids see online, that's their parents job, so be it for me to do the damn parenting for other people. I hate kids. I'm not even going to comment on the other thing you brought up because it is obvious you are hell bent on the same topic. If you feel like throwing a tantrum and making it look like im such a bad person I'm not going to stop you, feel free and enjoy yourself.

[horseA123]

@shahrzad1893 I don't have to make you look like a bad person - I hate kids? Don't worry, I won't throw a tantrum; I wouldn't dream of wasting that much energy on you.

[nin12dog]

@shahrzad1893 No, he developed laminitis because he placed most of his weight on the leg which wasn't injured. Another tragedy! Why do these owners take risks that can cause mortality??? I'd be so ASHAMED!

[scenceable]

I can imagine the trainer was really sad for that to happen. It sucks that instead of offering condolenses for a tragic death of a loved one, they just put guilt onto him.

imagine feeling sad about something, then having millions of people point guilt at you. argh.

it's so easy to look at one specific event and judge a whole sport on it.

[FireGirlG]

I agree.

[funnylikemybunny]

This made me so sad. I've always wanted a filly to win the derby. (or place) I can absolutely not describe to you what I felt when I saw it. Such a tragedy.

[courtneyzanette]

These horses are not capable of running that far and that hard. Their bones and joints are not developed properly to run them that hard so young.

[controlledburn123]

I really hate it when anchors dig for shit, "is there some cruelty?" You don't know about horses. SH.

[94gunsmoke]

@controlledburn123 Yeah he WAS digging there

[BabyKluvsYA]

i honestly don't support horse racing at ALL i think it's cruelty to horses making them run like that

[FireGirlG]

You can't make a horse run a sustained speed of 40 mph, you just can't. They love to run. That's why they do it.

[TBhorsegirl]

FireGirlG is 100% right...I couldn't agree more. Have any of you racing haters ever sat on the back of a TB and tried to hold them back as they run at full speed?!?! You can't, you simply can't....these horses LOVE to run.

[nicki1234567890]

excuse me babykluvsYA horse racing is not crualty to horses becuz thy fuckin luv to run like tht it is great excerzise to thm n thy luv to run i mean seriuosly hav u got eny fuckin brain at all sweetheart....y the hell do u think eight belles tried soo hard to win...durrr she wanted to beet the boyz soo go find a new life biathc wit a messed up fuckin brain n go fuck urself

[BabyKluvsYA]

ya i know horses like to run. and i don't think that eight belles wanted to beat them she just wants to run like you said. in some cases horse racing is cruelty but some people push them too much and thats what i mean by cruelty...... ya and also that they do like to run and i'm not saying that people were making her run and like that. and i know that it was nobodies fault she fell.

and what are u somekind of grandma

"sweetheart"

[nicki1234567890]

accually eight belles wanted to beet the boys she knew tht she waz the only girl she knew she waz special wut happened waz she wanted to beet thm soo bad she prolly jus pushed herself to hard--and in any case it is not cruelty to horses cuz thy no thy got tht job n thy like it---and u kno wut..i can call u wut ever i want n i kno more bout horses thn u ok my great gpa owned 3 races horses n i been goin to the track to watch horses since i waz 3 i think i kno more bout horses (sweat heart)

[BabyKluvsYA]

i freakin don't care if your grandpa owned 3 race horses! and listen horse like to run and they don't care about some stupid race they just want to run and guess what? people like jockeys and trainers sometimes push there horses too much and that's why they fall sometimes. but i wasn't saying that about eight belles i was saying that about some trainers and jockeys. soooo give it up cuz your not going to change my mind. and do you own any horses? i didn't think soo

[nicki1234567890]

accually tht aint y as u can c horses have huge bodies wit thin legs a simple mis step can give thm a broken or fractured bone instantly

[BabyKluvsYA]

ya i no soooooo you like horse i don't soo bye

[BabyKluvsYA]

nicki123456789

i ment to say

ya i no sooooo you like horse racing i don't sooo bye

[nicki1234567890]

well this is a stupid subject to fight about n u do like horses i sore ur pro soo lets jus like be friendz

[FireGirlG]

Will you freakin learn to spell.

[BabyKluvsYA]

i meant to say i don't like horse racing!

[FireGirlG]

lol I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to nicki.

[BabyKluvsYA]

ya i was talking to her too! lol

[FireGirlG]

oh lol

[FireGirlG]

There's no need for comments like that. I can't believe you have the audacity to insult her "brain" when you can hardly spell. And if your response was going to be "I was just rushing," take the extra minute to spell-check yourself and make yourself sound that much smarter.

[nicki1234567890]

wutt

im confused tht dnt make sence

[FireGirlG]

That comment was a reply to this: "excuse me babykluvsYA horse racing is not crualty to horses becuz thy fuckin luv to run like tht it is great excerzise to thm n thy luv to run i mean seriuosly hav u got eny fuckin brain at all sweetheart....y the hell do u think eight belles tried soo hard to win...durrr she wanted to beet the boyz soo go find a new life biathc wit a messed up fuckin brain n go fuck urself"

And it's spelled w-h-a-t. Take an English class.

[dinney123]

seriously, mistysweetheart, it's not that bad of a sport. My father works in the industry as do I and the horses are treated with much care and when they break down you can just tell by the way they're moving after the breakdown on the track and you can see in their eyes they're in so much pain. It's anything but cruel to put them down. They are in peice that way.

[mistyssweetheart]

i did not say it was cruel to put her down in fact it was the best and probably only thing they could do. Where you work they may be treated well, but i have seen places they arnt.this small minority give the larger majority a bad name.

[FireGirlG]

This is the first thing you've said that I actually agree with. I do acknowledge that there are probably some not so nice trainers and owners in the industry, but that's not everyone. And I refuse to point those fingers at everyone because of those few people.

[mistyssweetheart]

That trainer is an idiot.

As if there isnt cruelty in racing at all.

It is tough on the animals. And that bullshit about horses being hurt in the pasture? jesus people. i wonder if there wasnt so much money it wether itd be so popular.

R.I.P to a great filly with a heart of solid gold and to all others like her that have met an untimely demise because of this 'sport'

[MyNadjalu]

mistysweetheart,

You obviously do not know what you are talking about. Larry Jones is not an idiot and infact is one of the most kind, caring and "not cruel" trainers there are. Do some research before you spout off. I know that it is difficult emotional to deal with the injury and deaths of these horses, but don't place blame where it doesn't belong. Accidents happen and as tragic as this is, it is an accident, the experts have said that.

[FireGirlG]

Ahh! I meant to reply to your second response, and I accidently removed it. Sorry. But what I was going to say was that what your point was in your second comment doesn't really correlate to what you said first. And they chose to run Eight Belles not because of money, but because she was actually competitve against the colts, and that's because of her size. She was like 17 hands. And that's key to running with the boys: size.

[mistyssweetheart]

im not a hundred percent sure what youre talking about i cant remember what was first and what was second,:) they have miraculously dissapeared. Care to enlighten me??

Nobody except them knows why they really ran her in the race and theres no way they didnt think of the money even once.

her size probably didnt help the pressure on her growing bones either unfortunatly.

[MyNadjalu]

I understand your emotions, but unless you are educated in the relm of horses and racing you can only speak with emotion and not facts. Horses are meant to run, not cooped up in a pasture, which by the way accidents still happen in. If you have such a passion instead of spouting ignorant views, get educated and become a part of it and change what you feel is wrong.

[mistyssweetheart]

mate. i am educated in the REALM of horses and racing. cooped up in a pasture? gee i wonder whats better for the a paddock or a box stall?

[mistyssweetheart]

them*

[MyNadjalu]

Ok you say you are educated in horses so why the hostility?

[mistyssweetheart]

hostility? Because i dont like the racing industry is these days because no matter what you or anyone else says otherwise it is fuelled by money and thats simple fact,and its not just when the horses are in training either.Have you seen the state of broodmares who are pregnant but not yet close enough to foal to be brought in? most of them dont get proper care until its time for them to churn out another foal who could potentially win big, that cost heaps of money in service fees.

[FireGirlG]

You're still offering a very pessimistic (sp?) view of the racing world. Again, you're making a very harsh statement against a wide variety of people. I don't actually believe what you just said either. Yes racing is a business, but that doesn't make everyone evil. And these are million dollar animals, they are going to get good care with the intention of keeping them healthy so that they can bring in money. You don't bring in a lot of money with an abused horse. It's just like a comment...

[FireGirlG]

someone else made about running Eight Belles anyway (speculating that she was injured before the Derby) just to have a chance at winning, and money. That logic makes no sense. If she were injured beforehand, and they knew about it (they would have), yeah she'd miss out on the Derby and the purse, but it'd be worth more to the owners to sit her out and race again another day. She wouldn't have won injured anyway, not against the best colts in America.

[FireGirlG]

Now I'm not saying that I don't acknowledge that there are potentially some cruel situations in the industry, that is something we agreed on before. But I still refuse to make that general accusation against the whole industry when I know that there are good people in it too.

[TBhorsegirl]

Please name a sport (equine or not) that isn't fuelled by money. In fact, money is what makes the whole world go around. Get used to it. Your comments don't have a lot of truth to them...please listen to what these other folks are telling you.

[FireGirlG]

I responded to what you said more or less in the other comment.

[mistyssweetheart]

i wasnt pointing the fingers at every one.. like i said minority of them giving every1 else a bad name. but the problem is, the minority is growing due to lax rules and people seeing other people getting away with it.

[FireGirlG]

But my point is you didn't make that association in your first comment very clear. Your first comment was very harsh, so it was easily construed to mean that you thought everyone in the racing industry was involved in cruelty. And I didn't appreciate you calling Larry Jones an idiot. I'm very fond of him as a trainer, and he's right. Horses are at risk of getting hurt anywhere in any sport, or even at pasture or in the barn. It just happens

[FireGirlG]

We've got horses too (not racehorses mind you), and have had plenty of injuries and illnesses. We even lost a mare about 10 hours after she gave birth. Her colon had twisted and ruptured, she was only 14. Freak things happen, and it's sad when they do.

[MyNadjalu]

I agree with FireGirlG about the first comment and the fact the Larry Jones is one of the best and most caring trainers. But you can't blame racing for all "horse" cruety. And to point fingers at someone in particular, well that is irrational. Yes there is questionable treatment of horses in any industry, say pharmacuticals as an example. And it doesn't stop at horses, there is issue with all animals and their treatment. Hopefully some good comes from this tragedy.

[PandoraJadedBox]

RIP Eight Belles.

We love you and will not forget you. May you rest with the other champions such as Ruffian and Barbaro.

[carlykaiser]

Chelokee turns out only dislocated his leg, no broken bone.

And I did NOT need to see George Washington.

They said Chelokee's name wrong. AND the injury didn't kill Barbaro.

And, I did not need to see Eight Belles, with her leg going the wrong way, and with the pink needle going to her.

Please change the thumbnail and give a warning.

Amen Larry Jones. Amen.

[FireGirlG]

Sorry if that offended you. I didn't even think to mention it in the description. I'll make note of it now.

btw How do you pronounce Chelokee?

[carlykaiser]

Not offended.

Sheh-loh-key

[FireGirlG]

Oh, that's much cooler. And btw, when they mention him in this video, that faint "oh" you hear is me. I hadn't heard about his breakdown and I let out like a wail. I liked him, first saw him run in the Barbaro last year.

[carlykaiser]

Chelokee only dislocated his ankle, miraculously.

The night of the sergury when he woke up, he was bored in his stall and started pulling out his IVs. SO they put a cone in his stall then he was content for hours.

[FireGirlG]

Yeah I heard that update a while ago. That's good news. I did not hear however the cone story, that's hilarious. A telltale sign that he's in good spirits.

[kentuckyrosesinmay]

Even though Chelokee didn't break his leg, there is still a good chance that he won't make it.

Barbaro's injury did kill him in the end. If he wouldn't have broke his leg, he wouldn't have developed laminitis in his too front feel. The pins in his broken leg were failing, and the bone was starting to break again. In a final attempt to save Barbaro, they shifted more of his weight to his front end to try to keep his hind leg from failing.

[FireGirlG]

I don't think that's the case. His broken leg was healing fine they said. Chelokee's recovery time shouldn't be as long as Barbaro's, so he may not have the time to develop laminitis, and he can probably stand on his injured leg better than Barbaro could.

[barrelracinqh]

Laminitis affected his left hind leg and any horse can be affected by laminitis the injury had nothing to do with it

[horsegal121441]

We love you! RIP girl!