The Toll Of Eight Belles

They call it "a breakdown"...I spent the better part of Saturday evening, and most of today trying to come up with a kinder euphemism then -" breakdown". It seems there aren't any other words that can accurately describe what happened at Churchill Downs, during the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. First, let me say that I do not understand why the owners and trainers of thoroughbred horses run these majestic animals while they are so young. Second, I can't swear to it, but something is dreadfully wrong in this sport that might have something to do with breeding for speed over bone structure, that keeps causing these catastrophic, life ending "injuries".

Third, I am a reluctant fan of the sport. I see the beauty of a horse in full stride, and I cheer with unbridled enthusiasm at the athleticism of this amazing species.
And, make no mistake, these horses are athletes.

But, I believe the world of thoroughbred horse racing is filled with the pampered and selfish.
People, who are used to getting their own way, regardless of what is right or wrong for their horses.

I have to watch from afar. I am not a horse owner or a trainer.
I am not independently wealthy.

Still, I see with a clear vision, the beauty and dark aspects of this sport. Yesterday, once again, I believe we all did. Eight Belles, the proud filly, lost her life running the race of a lifetime.
She ran faster then 18 colts, and fought to catch- up with the lone breakaway clot "Big Brown".
She finished her first Derby in grand style-a very convincing second place finish.
Her handlers, trainer, jockey, and owner, had reason to be proud.
She showed true courage and strength.
She was every bit the champion who proved she had a right to hang with the boy's.

Yes, she finished the race, she placed, and as she galloped out, coming around the backstretch - it happened, the sound heard only by her experienced jockey. He knew what it was, and tried valiantly to pull her up, but she was still running her race, and she wasn't going to stop.
Her legs gave way underneath her, and on her chest she fell, and where she fell is where her life ended. The spark of her magnificent life force left "us" who love horses, stunned.

Was it wrong to run her against the big boy's? Hell no, she out ran 18 of the worlds best. But, in the stands the word's that were uttered were "It's the filly".
Some uttered oh, no, it's Ruffian all over again. And, in a profound way -some eerie similarities.
The great Ruffian also lost her life taking on the worlds best boy of that age.
And, didn't know how to stop running her race.
Her champion breeding driving her through pain. She also ran herself into the ground.

...We all sat still remembering the Preakness of 2 years ago, and the loss of the magnificent colt, Barboro.

-This week another death that begs recognition. A 30 year old- female dolphin, named Sharky died at Discovery Cove lagoon, in Orlando Florida. The cause of her death was a midair collision with another dolphin, while preforming for 32 visitors during a guest interaction program. Sharky had been in captivity for so long her trainers could not remember if she was captivity breed, or caught for the purpose of preforming and research.

In just over two months, 143 wolves have been killed in Alaska's controversial aerial gunning program. Grey wolves, de-listed as an endangered species by the second Bush administration. The special interest groups of the cattle industry claim that they lose to many head of cattle to this predator. Everyone knows that wolves take the sick and the weak. It is their natural way to insure the strongest heads of cattle survive.

Finally, a man, Stephan Miller lost his life attempting to exercise and train a "grizzly bear" known in the movie industry as a "safe and friendly bear".

All of these deaths happened because of mans interaction with animals-
it's a plain and simple truth.
It happens because we place ourselves at the top of God's list. We consider our place to be most important. But, let's humanize for just a second the truth in these deaths.

Above a horse whisperer- when a colt, a filly, a mare, a stallion, a gelding, misbehaves and become a biter or a kicker (usually from being mis-handled) the fastest way to improve their demeanor is to ship them back to their mothers. Thats right, send them home to mom. A mare will absolutely know her own offspring, no matter the age, by smell. And, she will "straighten out her child"- in a big hurry.

Wolves are loyal, intuitive, brave, and fierce mothers. They mate for life.
They love their pups intensely.

Dolphins are known for their intelligence and life long familial bonds. They find each other after storms at sea, by sound. They have a family call. They live in pods of family, that merge with other pods who have extended family members in them. They find each other. That is truly amazing.

Tonight, as I mull over the pain of Eight Belles loss, and begin to resolve my feelings for a horse I never touched, but became bonded to by heartstrings- I try to heal this place in my heart that knows how much damage humans are capable of. Our drive for perfection, our pursuit of happiness at all costs, often has a high price tag. I weep openly at the loss. And, hope that our humanity "collectively" begins to choose a pursuit of happiness that inspires us to learn from these bitter heartbreaking losses. An inspiration that presses us to protect our animal brothers and sisters, instead of using them to their demise, for our personal gain.
I pray that we learn quickly.

Goodnight Sharky. Goodnight Eight Belles.

Goodnight.

-Renee