When I found out Barbaro died, my reaction was pretty insubstantial. It’s not that I don’t feel bad for the horse, or that I don’t feel bad for the people who owned or cared about the horse. But with everything there is to be concerned about in the world, I find the death of a horse to be a somewhat minor tragedy.
So imagine my surprise when Charles Gibson reported at the top of last evening’s broadcast of World News Tonight about the death of Barbaro. I can only imagine what Peter Jennings would have thought. Maybe he’d have read it first. But I just can’t see Jennings reading the story, then going to a correspondent at the Pentagon for a report about the war.
So let me get this straight. America is engaged in two wars where people are dying every day. And the first story, on a world news program, is the death of a horse? It’s not that I don’t like animals. I’ll admit to crying when my dogs died. But I don’t ever remember so much significance placed on the death of an animal.
Barbaro may have inspired people; he may have made people happy. In that sense, I understand the sadness. But I couldn’t help but laugh when I read the Associated Press story by Dan Gelston, in which David Switzer (executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association) remarked, apparently with a straight face, that “this horse was a hero.”
I have always been cautious of using the term “hero” in sports. Of course, my main fear was in using it to describe players like John Elway or Derek Jeter, as it would equate them with soldiers, police, and firefighters. But by using “hero” and “horse” in the same sentence, Switzer has practically ruined the term. And what exactly did Barbaro do to earn “hero” status?” I’ll admit that animals can be heroes, but most of them have to do something heroic. If a dog saves a child from a burning house, the dog is a hero.
I have never owned a horse, so maybe that’s the reason for me not understanding the significance of this story. To me, a horse is a horse. I’m sure people who own horses understand, and people who saw Barbaro win the Kentucky Derby live understand.
But I don’t.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Before, my birthday was the day Oprah was born. Now it's the day Barbaro died. Hallelujah.
2 - zingzing
hey hey i think you and michael j west share a boifday!
3 - evonne engel
I read the article a horse is a horse. Well i was shocked to hear the compassion level you have. I do think that it is far more important then to hear about some useless war, and about all the negative stuff happening in our world. We as people can stop the war and speak as a horse they do not have that. Yes I am a horse owner and you are emotionally DEAD.
4 - Tracy Pi
Couldn't agree with your article more. I was thinking the exact same sentiments.
5 - The Theory
This article made me laugh... because it is too true. Then again, this is also a world where an advertising campaign in Boston is considered a "bomb hoax."
What a world we live in.
6 - laura
how can you (& anyone who agrees with you) be so short-minded & stupid. Barbaro is a hero because he gave his all to winning & then living, that should give inspiration to anyone. wake up & enjoy all of life & stop being so pig-headed!!!
7 - Christine
You are an insensitive person. Don't write about something that you have no input in. I am an avid horse lover and rider. Barbaro's death as insignificant as it was to you hit the horse community pretty hard. It wasn't the fact whether barbaro was a hero of not. It was a fact of all of the hard work and dedication that he and everyone else did up until his death is what matters. I understand that you have your own opinion and everyone is entitled to their own views but like you said unless you have ever owned a horse or have experienced a bond with one you will never be able to understand the heartache and hurt people go through with the death of a beloved horse and friend.
8 - Jill
I guess that some people would say that the rest of us are crazy for falling in love with Barbaro. Like Christine said so well "...unless you have ever owned a horse or have experienced a bond with one..." come on Zack, don't judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes.
Yes, yes. There are so many other events going on in the world that are more "newsworthy" than the death of a horse, but to each his own. Maybe some people enjoy war, violence stories,etc., while others thrive on stories of beating the odds, human/animal interest,etc.
I own a Tennessee Walker and went through a terrible summer when my "Gem" contracted West Nile Virus. I never want to see that horror again. And yes, my horse fought for his life, too. Ever try to pick up a 1200lb. horse off the floor of his stall every 3 hrs? If Gem hadn't wanted to live he would not have struggled to get up when we had to position his feet(he was essentially paralyzed during the acute phase)and would not have made the effort WITH us.
Give us poor saps a break, Zack. Maybe one day you too will be touched by something just as inane.
9 - Zach Baker
Perhaps that will happen. And perhaps you could spell my name right.
10 - Zach Baker
It's Zach.
11 - Jill
Pardon me, Zach.
It's just that I have a nephew named Zachary and he spells his nickname "Zack". I did not reply to your first "note?" to slam you. It was an honest mistake.
I truly did not try to get you up on your high-horse--surely there are more important events in your life(other than someone you do not know spelling your name incorrectly)that really get your goat. I am in rare form today--horses, goats.
So, what events do you care about? Why write about this horse if you do not really care about the subject?
Ultimately, I think that we are missing the point of your ponderings and all of the replies. Isn't this supposed to be about Barbaro?
12 - Zach Baker
OK, I'll bite.
First of all, Jill, I'll give you credit for following up, because I think most people have taken their shots without really reading the article. They saw the headline (which was a bit insenitive, I'll admit) and assumed I was insensitive.
That's not the case.
My problem here is not really with Barbaro or horse-lovers in general. As I said in the article, I cried when my dogs died. Heck, I cried during Old Yeller. Believe me, I understand the bond between animals and humans.
And I was horrified when I saw Barbaro get hurt last Spring. It was hard to watch.
My primary problem, and maybe I didn't do a good enough job of explaining this, is the media coverage.
I guess my concerns over the Iraq war and those issues outweighed those for Barbaro. For me, the issue of Barbaro's death should have been on the news, but shouldn't have led it off. I'll admit to being a human-first person. I care more about people than animals. That's just the way I am.
As far as the humor issues, I was basically responding to the quote about Barbaro being a hero. I stand behind that criticism in the same way I would if someone called Peyton Manning a hero.
In a post 9-11 world, I am sensitive to that. Police officers, soldiers and firefighters are heroes.They risk their lives to protect people they don't know.
That's heroic. To me, Barbaro's journey, while certainly inspiring to some, was not heroic. Again, I'd make the same argument about a human athlete.
That's just my take on it.
13 - Matthew T. Sussman
"Why write about this horse if you do not really care about the subject?"
It's the curious intersection of a subject we don't care about (Barbaro) and one we do (media).
Now try substituting Barbaro with Anna Nicole.
14 - Jill
Zach,
I am beginning to feel that we are old pals. Now, listen to this: I agree with you that Barbaro is not a hero. You are correct in that he did not "do" anything as heroic as saving someone from a burning building, etc., but I can understand where people(a lot of them) are saying he is. Be that as it may, "hero" is the wrong word and for that I would say maybe a brush-up of english definitions would be in order. It's funny how over the years meanings of words become misconstrued. But I digress...
Barbaro's story is an inspiring one. It is a "feel good" story even though it ended sadly. I think that sometimes people need to hang on to something--wishing, hoping for a happy ending, which was not forthcoming in this situation. It reminds people of their own lives; perhaps it is like cuddling up in that old homey blanket of memories. So really, this story is about humans and the "condition" we ultimately share. It brings us all together, whether it is for heartfelt commiseration, shared disgust at the injustice and cruelty a large number of people place on animals of any species, wondering about where true journalism is headed, or the myriad opinions, concerns that plague us.
I guess what drew me into the story is the amazing will Barbaro and his owners,caregivers and general public have. It truly humbles me.
I also enjoy our daily banter. We can agree to disagree, a refreshing change of pace for me.
15 - Jill
Dear Matthew,
I seriously looked again at your name to make sure I did not misspell it.
You are right. If some reporter had a "human interest" story about Ms. Smith, I think I would have given it a token perusal, rolled my eyes and moved on. I guess that is what is so great about literature of any sort. If you are not interested, you turn the page...or throw the book away.
16 - alessandro nicolo
At least Jill sounds reasonable and is engaging in her defense. As for me, I have a question for Zach - if Barbaro's glue went to kids in school who can't afford it in Africa would that make him a hero? Matt, I tried to substitute it. Barbaro suddenly made sense to me.
17 - JAQ
I KNOW PUTING A HORSE TO SLEEP IS SAD MY HORSES BECASE HIS INTATEN FLIPED AND MY BABY HORSE WAS 3 MOUTHS OLD HE FALL AND BROKE 6 PARTS OF HIS LEGHE IS 1 YEAR OLD AND CAN WALK AND TROT THE VET SAID TO PUT HIM TO SLEEP,BUT I PUT HE IN A SALL FOR WILL TODAY IT WILL BE 2 MOUTH
18 - JAQ
HELP MY HORSE WAS 100OLB AND HE IS 500LB THE HE WAS VERY CLOSS TO DIED AS YOU CAN GIT AND 4 YEAR