Have you even read about Seabiscuit or even watched the movie? Horses have always been a symbol of hope during a time of depression and adveristy. Not saying we're in another Depression Era (although some might think we are), but i think that hope still rings true from horses....I think it does for me, and i don't even really watch horse racing all that much.

Saying Barbaro was just a horse is kind of like saying Roberto Clemente was just a baseball player who's life was cut short.

Barbaro was NOT a mere horse. He represented so much that was positive but he also gave people hope. He inspired them to keep on fighting and to persevere even in the face of tough odds, let alone pain and personal tragedy. In today's world, that means so much more than yet other endless story of war, death, famine and pestilence. If Barbaro's story can give us courage to fight on in the face of those other things, then his story is 10 times more valuable than the ones involving people.

i agree with the writer. the death of this horse making the front page of every mainstream media outlet was ridiculous.

"and oh, by the way, another few hundred people died in iraq today."

Concrete Swim,
It's not about wanting to see or hear more about the war, as though it is just fodder for your entertainment.

It's a countries moral obligation during times of war to stay alert on all news concerning the war.

But this story shows that american people in general are "asleep at the wheel" with regards to the war, and the war-mongers in charge. And there is an obvious disconnect with reality when the most important news story is about something so trivial.

And this story also serves a great example of what's tacky about us americans, because it IS just a horse. in fact it's worse than just a horse... Barbaro was a business.

At least if it was "just someone's pet" you could somehow spin the story into something sentimental.

So the point is not that Iraq has to be on the front page everyday. The point is that we should want it to be.

what side of the rock did most of you people come from. Barbaro was exceptional, Great Champion,Gallant spirit. and he deserves better. If no injury had happened you would have seen a Triple Crown Winner,( which does not happen very often), and a wonderful life for the handsome and majestic Barbaro. There is absolutely no reason for these bad comments about that horse, sounds like people are just jealous of his great talents,character,and temperment.

What the f*ck is wrong with the water out in LA?

As a reader of Chicagoist, I would've expected to see the comments split pretty evenly, if not more praise to the writer for seeing the reality of the situation. Instead, you're almost all completely delusional. Who's the readership out there, 55-year-old women who live with their 19 cats and watch Lifetime Movie Network all day?!?

anti got it right when he/she wrote "Barbaro was a business."

In fact, the only tragedy was that this poor horse was still alive. Call me harsh if you must, but had he been any other thoroughbred on any other day, he probably would’ve been put down while he was still on the track. However, he happened to win the Kentucky Derby and that made him quite valuable to his owners. In order to make a nice ROI (Return On Investment), they needed him alive so he could spend years on a stud farm, breeding what buyers would hope (read: pay) to become future champions.

Therefore, instead of Barbaro’s death being a tragedy last May, it became his harrowing fight for survival and, suddenly, we were forced to listen to daily progress reports on his shattered leg. All the while, he was basically tortured by doctors who were paid to do whatever was necessary to make possible the owners' dreams of a better bottom line. Thanks to a non-story becoming a nationwide media flashpoint, a horse became a “hero” who’s legacy was blown way out of proportion. Way, way out of proportion.

Seriously, get over your poor dead horse and try to care about something that matters IN THE REAL WORLD. It doesn't have to be the always-rising death toll in Iraq; it could be the melting of the icecaps or the lack of funding for public education. Heck, it could be more personal...care about your family, your health, your career. But a f*cking horse? Please.

P.S. Your comment posting tool is a piece of crap.

you know what Lawrence(if thats your real name) YOUR PETHETIC!!!

HORSES ARE MY HEALTH,MY CAREER AND PART OF MY FAMILY BECAUSE IF IT WASNT FOR A HORSE YOU LOSER I WOULDNT BE WALKING TODAY,SO SHUT THE F*** UP!!

me again some quotes you may like to read...the first few expecially for LAist

"Whoever said a horse was dumb, was dumb"

"Riding is not a sport, it is a passion. If you do not share the passion, you do not know the sport, and therefore are wasting your time."

"Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider...no other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also...but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be..."

"There is something about the sight of a fallen horse that strikes one's heart in such a way, even for those who are not particularly a horse lover...the significance of something so sacred, powerful, beautiful, intoxicating as the horse...when a fallen horse is seen overcome by life's obstacles, fallen tears and a jolt to the heart and soul can never be prevented..."

You show me someone that doesn't like horses and I'll show you someone who can't ride.

I have often been asked why do I like horses so much. Look into a horses eyes. There you will see generations of horses who have served the human for thousands of years faithfully for nothing in return, beaten horses, starved hoses, horses who no longer pocess a sprit. They deserve to be loved and respected as much as humanly possible. Let them run free again. Let them no longer be a faithful beast, but embrace them as you would a dear friend, for they are.

Give a horse what he needs and he will give you his heart in return.

The only reason you don't like thoroughbreds is because you’re not good enough to ride one.

A person that has a dog or cat has a companion. A person that has a horse has a treasure in there heart and a sparkle in there eyes and more love than the whole world.

Like human beings, horses are all individuals with singular personalities, their own virtues and their own faults. We become bound to them for their beauty, their eccentricities, their heart and the love they always return to us.

Riding isn't the matter of life or death. It's more important than that!

The Horse's Prayer - I am a horse, dear Master, but my heart is warm and true, And I'm ready to work my hardest, for the pleasure of pleasing you. Good corn, and hay, and water, are all that I wish to ask. And a warm dry bed to rest on, when I've finished my daily task. Don't strike me in needless anger if I'm slow to understand, But encourage my drooping spirits with a gentle voice and hand. Finally, O my master! When my health and strength are gone-When I'm getting old and feeble, and my long life's work is done-Don't sell me to cruel owners, to be slaved to my latest breath, But grant me the untold blessing of a quick and painless death; That, as you have always found me a patient and loyal friend, The years of my faithful service may be crowned by a peaceful end. I plead in the name of the Savoir, Who cares when the sparrows fall. Who was born in a lowly stable, and knows, and loves us all!

Don't tear at the reins. Don't reach for your crop when we come to a hill; don't beat me or hit me if I misunderstand. Don't think me disobedient if I fail your will; perhaps there is something wrong with my harness or my hooves. A bad tooth-you know how that hurts. Don't tether me too tight and don't crop my tail, my only weapon against mosquitoes and flies. Let me ask this of you in the name of Him who was born in the stable. And when the time comes, Dear Master, when I am no longer of use to you, don't let me starve, or freeze, nor sell me. Don't give me to a stranger who works me slowly to death and feeds me not; but be kind and prepare me for a quick and merciful end. God will reward you for it, now, and through eternity. And I shall come to you, always...... running.

A bad ride is much better than a good walk.

A Dog looks up to a man,
A cat looks down on a man,
But a patient horse looks a man in the eye and sees him as an equal.

A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but is in rising every time we fall.

Horse... If God made anything more beautiful he kept it for himself!

There are only three emotions that belong in the saddle; one is a sense of humour one is patience and the other is love.

A dog may be man's best friend...But the horse wrote history.

Horses give us the wings we lack.

The Horse: Amazingly fast, incredibly strong, tirelessly proud, fantastically gentle, he is a huge dark beast that touches the hearts of all who meet him.

It looks like there are a lot of people unhappy with you. While I don't know if you wrote this because you believe it or you just wanted something controversial to build up your traffic, it's obvious that you hit a nerve. I think that's a good thing. It's provoked a lot of discussion and discussion is the first step to change.

I really cant believe the length some people go,alot of people on this forum have mentioned soldiers in Iraq,but what you have forgot to mention is that these soldier chose to be in the army,nobody put them there but themselves,they chose to fight for our countries far and wide and I am truly greatful for that freedom that they put themselves through,BUT what you have forgotten is that horses and other animals are still blood pumping mammals just like us,but they have no voice like us and for that they are worked until they fall down, beaten,slaghtered,eaten... there is nothing wrong with spending a little time out of one day to spread your love to an animal and if your life is so messed up and busy for that then maybe you should stop and smell the roses because life is to short for people like you! I was in a horrable car accident because of someone that was in a hurry and went through years of rehab and because of a horse that put up with all my crying and misunderstanding of why I am going through all this pain ,am I able to walk again and get on with the life I have been delt,if it wasnt for my dog that takes care of me because people are just too busy for me,I would have nobody to talk to and help me through each day,now I hope I have at least touched the hearts of thous people that actually have time to read my story and for that I am truly greatful for the time I have to spend and to truly feel the LOVE of an animal because PEOPLE are just too busy...

Ah, yes, and the whales rescued in Barrow, Alaska a few years ago were just whales. I think not. Ah, and my cats are not just cats, Barbaro clearly, was not just a horse!

I hope and pray his brother will have the benefit to follow in the footsteps of his gallant brother.

Yes, I grieve everyday for our troops in Iraq and the citizens of Iraq who want peace. Thus far, I still have that right, and voice my concerns.

Rest in peace Barbaro and for all of our fallen heros who were taken from us, fighting for a war that should never have been. I also pray for the safety and well being of those still in harms way.

To the writers..... Barbaro "was just a horse"
You "are just an a**hole"