NEWS
National perspectives: Five years after
Posted: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 7:07 PM
Alex Brown, author of the recently published book Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy, has spent 25 years in racing primarily as an exercise rider and assistant trainer. Brown offers his opinion on Barbaro’s legacy in this week’s National Perspectives.
Barbaro’s dominating victory in the 2006 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) had many anticipating he would run away with the Triple Crown. A cruel turn of events in the Preakness Stakes (G1) captured the nation’s attention as Barbaro fought for his life. Eight months later, that valiant battle ended, and Barbaro succumbed to laminitis.
It is now five years since Barbaro’s Triple Crown run, and a good time to reflect on his impact on both horse racing and horse welfare.
Laminitis is a disease that we have been struggling to understand for more than two millennia. Even the Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote about it. When Barbaro came out of his initial surgery at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, Dean Richardson, D.V.M., was very clear that laminitis was a likely potential complication in Barbaro’s recovery. Sadly, he was correct. By the time Barbaro was euthanized, he literally did not have a leg to stand on.
Laminitis is the second-largest killer of our horses, behind colic, and certainly Barbaro is not the only superstar to die due to complications of laminitis.
We do not yet understand the root causes of the disease. We do know the conditions that make a horse more prone to get laminitis. Barbaro’s case of laminitis has given the research community renewed energy, resources, and support. The Laminitis Fund at New Bolton Center was established in 2006. The Laminitis Institute at Penn Vet was established in 2007 with a $1-¬¬million gift from Marianne and John K. Castle. Roy and Gretchen Jackson, breeders-owners of Barbaro, provided $3-million to endow a chair at New Bolton Center in equine disease research, which includes a focus on laminitis.
While gaining momentum to solve the puzzle of laminitis may ultimately be Barbaro’s most significant legacy, the Jacksons also focused on other horse welfare issues during Barbaro’s short life. One issue is the topic of horse slaughter. The deaths of Ferdinand and Exceller started a groundswell movement within the racing world to attempt to put an end to slaughter. The Jacksons joined this movement, and as a consequence inspired many who were following Barbaro (known as Fans of Barbaro) to become activists to try to end the practice.
While there has been no real tangible success yet to date, the issue of horse slaughter is more visible, and is clearly something the industry needs to address. Many racetracks have responded and adopted a zero-tolerance policy with respect to horses from their backstretches going to slaughter, but the industry as a whole has been reluctant to take a stand.
Thoroughbred retirement also has become an important aspect of Barbaro’s legacy. Racehorses generally compete for two to three years but can live very long lives. What happens to them after racing is important. The resources available to retire horses and provide them with second careers are becoming more available with the support of some racetracks; however, a more robust industry response is necessary.
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, the largest organization involved in retiring racehorses, has been receiving a lot of publicity lately, for all the wrong reasons. Warehousing Thoroughbreds really does not do a lot of good for anyone. Our horses prefer work, and rehabbing them to second careers can be a win-win situation. It then becomes important to actively support Thoroughbreds in second careers, which can mean supporting other horse sports that support our Thoroughbreds.
Of course, one issue that can significantly compromise the opportunities for a Thoroughbred to transition to a second career is its overall soundness. With the liberal use of drugs, both in training and on race day, we replace horsemanship with chemistry, and often do not consider the long-term welfare of the horse in favor of the short-term financial return. Sadly, this approach not only compromises the long-term soundness of the horse, but all too often causes a catastrophic breakdown. The Jacksons, along with other prominent owners, have recently called for more federal oversight in horse racing. We may shudder at the thought of accepting this type of governance, but it has become clear that we as an industry are not capable of providing such leadership ourselves.
What the Barbaro saga illustrates is that horses are truly inspirational. They have had a significant role in the development of our history and continue to inspire.
Horse racing is the most visible, so anyone who truly supports the horse should support our sport of horse racing. We cannot afford to continue to be demonized by the animal-rights fringe, whose agenda is to end all horse sports. That being said, by not taking a stand on the issue of horse slaughter, by allowing the overuse of drugs, and by appearing to be ambivalent to catastrophic breakdowns, we do not help our own cause. The horse has served us long and well and deserves more from us, its keeper.
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Rob, Lexington, KY on June 18, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Sorry Alex, The Friends of Barbaro are a cult.
You are giving them up, just as the Jacksons have, for good reason.
They have done good things, but many have been scammed by the hoarder cultists. Greg J and his merry band of gavel emblazoned moderators bash anyone who disagrees with their narrow minded drivel posted at ABR.
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Posted by: Lynn, Sisters, OR on May 18, 2011 at 07:07 PM
I adopted a reasonbably sound Kentucky Thoroughbred off the track due to the owner not wanting him anymore because he never won a race in 2 yrs and 29 races trying. He's now a great mountain trail horse and he loves it and I love him!
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Posted by: Bob, Saratoga Springs, NY on May 18, 2011 at 04:54 PM
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is one of the few organizations of it's kind willing to take in horses that will never be sound enough for second careers, but can be rehabbed to "pasture soundness". Pasture life, in a herd environment, is not warehousing. It is, in fact, the perfect, most natural "retirement" for this category of horses.
We, in the racing industry, owe it to our horses to provide after-race care for all that can reach "pasture soundness". If not,by discarding the unwanted, we will deservedly meet the fate of the greyhound industry.
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Posted by: Danella, Philadelphia, PA on May 18, 2011 at 03:37 PM
So when I drive by a farm and see a herd of broodmares grazing contently in the pasture, they are really unhappy because they have been "warehoused"?
The Thoroughbred cannot be happy unless he is being ridden/raced?
All due respect, not sure I agree.
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Posted by: Sarah, Lansing, MI on May 17, 2011 at 11:35 PM
Here's the thing though-"most" people that ride horses are pleasure riders OR riders at lower levels (dressage, hunt seat, trail, whatever). MOST racehorses retire more than servicably sound for this level of work, particularly with so many of the great supplements on the market today, not to mention injections, chiropractic work, etc. Lots of racehorses retire with no issues at all.
We need to get people EXCITED about adopting racehorses, and turn the stigma around that they are somehow less than because they are not Warmbloods, or that they have issues, or only professionals should ride them.
I do think we're getting there, though-so many amazing advocates like Alex Brown and adoption organizations like New Vocations (my personal favorite) and CANTER have done wonders. Still, the best advocates are the horses themselves-we just need to get them OUT there so people can see what amazing animals they are. For beginners? For the most part, no. Still, I see Thoroughbreds all the time that are busting stereotypes, my horse included. Educations and outreach is what's needed, and I think it's starting to make a difference.
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