Sunday, May 13, 2007
Another horse we can all take a lesson from
Check this out!
I'm amazed at the enthusiasm, concentration and (dare I say) confidence this horse shows under pressure. Of course the rider has no small part to play. But this is collaborative- no one can force an animal to look that happy.
Who says discipline is a bad thing, for animals or people?
-Moopy
I'm amazed at the enthusiasm, concentration and (dare I say) confidence this horse shows under pressure. Of course the rider has no small part to play. But this is collaborative- no one can force an animal to look that happy.
Who says discipline is a bad thing, for animals or people?
-Moopy
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Barbaro the Great
Read this
It's May. The Kentucky Derby is this weekend- just two days away- and I'm thinking about last year's winner, the great Barbaro.
Poor guy, he made it until January before they put him down. Long after the spotlight left him, after his tragic run at the Preakness May 20th last year.
I get teary-eyed just thinking about him. And why? So many feelings well up in me when I think about that day. Horror at the actual sight of the race favorite coming up lame right out of the gate. Shock as the understanding crept in about the seriousness of his injuries, apparent immediately from the jockey's ragged face- he knew his horse!- and the announcer's hushed tones. Maybe some disgust that these fine animals are bred a touch too delicately for their own good. And pure sadness that a great champion was cut down in his prime- a horse that had legend written into his performances, one that was going to make history. His glory was stolen from all of us.
Ultimately what I'm left with, though, is admiration. What kind of creature keeps on doing his thing when the chips are way down? Eats, drinks, patiently waits while being poked and prodded for days turning into months? Doesn't rear up in pain and fear at all the attention and physical manipulations that have become his daily life? Maybe it's easier for animals because they can't think about the future. They don't see the writing on the wall about their own fates, near-term or long. They react by instinct and training, and that's part of their programming.
Still one can learn from Barbaro's example. Better to go on with a daily routine despite the apparent futility as a demonstration of control and cooperation and dignity. Help the universe to help you, kind of a thing. Try not to think about what might have been (the past is long gone), but fight for your new future in whatever form it takes.
For heaven's sake DON'T go quietly into the night!
Funny how a horse can teach you so much about character and spirit......................
I'll be thinking about you on Saturday, Barbaro.
- Moopy
It's May. The Kentucky Derby is this weekend- just two days away- and I'm thinking about last year's winner, the great Barbaro.
Poor guy, he made it until January before they put him down. Long after the spotlight left him, after his tragic run at the Preakness May 20th last year.
I get teary-eyed just thinking about him. And why? So many feelings well up in me when I think about that day. Horror at the actual sight of the race favorite coming up lame right out of the gate. Shock as the understanding crept in about the seriousness of his injuries, apparent immediately from the jockey's ragged face- he knew his horse!- and the announcer's hushed tones. Maybe some disgust that these fine animals are bred a touch too delicately for their own good. And pure sadness that a great champion was cut down in his prime- a horse that had legend written into his performances, one that was going to make history. His glory was stolen from all of us.
Ultimately what I'm left with, though, is admiration. What kind of creature keeps on doing his thing when the chips are way down? Eats, drinks, patiently waits while being poked and prodded for days turning into months? Doesn't rear up in pain and fear at all the attention and physical manipulations that have become his daily life? Maybe it's easier for animals because they can't think about the future. They don't see the writing on the wall about their own fates, near-term or long. They react by instinct and training, and that's part of their programming.
Still one can learn from Barbaro's example. Better to go on with a daily routine despite the apparent futility as a demonstration of control and cooperation and dignity. Help the universe to help you, kind of a thing. Try not to think about what might have been (the past is long gone), but fight for your new future in whatever form it takes.
For heaven's sake DON'T go quietly into the night!
Funny how a horse can teach you so much about character and spirit......................
I'll be thinking about you on Saturday, Barbaro.
- Moopy
