Explore Anti-Horse Slaughter & Senatorial feedback, Horse Rescues & Charities, Horse Racing, & Industry Officials showing Barbaro's POSITIVE EFFECT. Our goals are healthier care & safer horseracing for horses & jockeys, plus equestrian sporting events & riders. Retiring Champions with dignity is right! Humble thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Roy Jackson, allowing Barbaro's legacy to help protect our horses for future generations - the Barbaro Way." www.campaigningforbarbaro.com "Until We Make A Difference"
Debra, our Chairman, had a private meeting with one of her clients Larry, who builds homes for ABC's EXTREME HOMEMAKER OVER. Composed this letter together and it is being forwarded & hand-carried to Larry to see what he can do. He works with the Team there. PRAYERS THIS COMES TO PASS!! *
Subject: To Debra's Client Larry - Builder of homes for ABC's EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER
"DON'T call for an emergency ambulance! ...Call the Life Flight helicopter!...NOW!" ..."Get the Horse Ambulance out here, NOW!" ..."No! Wait! DON'T remove his helmet - it'll surely kill him!" ..."Just get him to the vet clinic, NOW!" ... (www.equestnetwork.com)
Hi Larry,
Per our conversation today, just letting you know Barbaro, who trained at Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Maryland is forever intertwined with Mike Rea and his own miraculous recovery. Together, both are beating the odds and "moving beyond brokenness" in daily baby steps.
When Kentucky Derby Champion Barbaro suffered catastrophic injuries, Alex Brown (a freelance Exercise rider @ Fair Hill and Webmaster for www.timwoolleyracing.com ) provided entire daily updates to Barbaro fans globally on Barbaro's healing progress. Shortly after Barbaro's Preakness accident, prominent Fair Hill trainer Mike Rea experienced life-threatening brain stem injuries while training horses one memorable day. Weathering life's storms, his healing recovery and rehabilitation care have placed huge financial burdens on his family. Like Barbaro's, the Mike Rea Relief Fund was started to help with rising medical bills. Since Mike's full recovery will take at least 2 years or longer, it's necessary to completely readapt their present home to accommodate Mike's severe handicap. His doctors cautiously released Mike back home. Door and hallway openings do not accommodate wheel chair access. This is placing an extreme hardship on Mike and his family. Stair climbing is exceedingly difficult as well as simple tasks you and I take for granted. To date, there are almost 3,000 signatures on a special Care 2 petition for ABC's Extreme Home Makeover Edition from genuinely caring people who know that home is where Mike's heart is. Fair Hill Training's family and thousands of well-wishers believe Mike and his family truly deserve this to make a miraculous Christmas gift come true. Help us make this Extreme Home Makeover miracle happen for Fair Hill's deserving heroic family of fighting champions.
P.S. Larry, below are two vital life-links you can forward on. Hopefully, this will get to the right folks as Barbaro is praying and hoping for this miracle too! Kindest thanks for your help here making a seemingly impossible dream come true.
Carole Shaw Cochair Premiere Barbaro Ambassadors www.campaigningforbarbaro.com. "We will continue campaigning for Barbaroand his friends until we make a difference."
cc. Mike Rea Family Alex Brown Fair Hill Training Center
* Senator Elizabeth Landrieu from Lousiana will be presenting for 10 minutes on the S.1915 horse protection bill before the Senate on Tuesday December 5th at 2-3pm EST. She has also had the following Senators sign her letter including Reid, Levin, Menendez, Boxer, Dodd, Bayh, Kerry, Lautenberg, DeMint, and Cantwell. When Senators return from Thanksgiving break to Washington D.C. hopefully more will sign the letter. Continue asking Senator's aides to see if your own state's Senators have signed Landrieu's letter. It was suggested they might try to attach the it as an amendment as an Agricultural appropriations bill. However, Shelley Sawbook, president of the American Defense Fund, advised Barbaro Ambassadors and Fan/Friends of Barbaro that "we should not talk about the bill being attached as an amendment. Talk like this does not help as it could reach the wrong people watching and ready to shoot it down," per Sharon.
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Below is Senator Landrieu's letter going to Senators Frist and Reid after she gets enough of her colleagues to review and co-sign. She circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter to fellow Senators asking them to endorse and sign it. This letter below will be delivered after the elections but before the Senate comes back into session on December 5th:
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November 10
The Honorable William H. Frist, M.D. Majority Leader
Unites States Senate
Washington D.C. 20510
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The Honorable Harry Reid Democratic Leader
United States Senate
Washington D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Frist and Senator Reid:
We are writing to urge you to pass legislation in this Congress that bans the commercial slaughter of horses for human consumption overseas.
On September 7th, the House passed HR 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, by a vote of 263-146. The bill is now on the calendar awaiting action by the full Senate. H.R.503 and its companion, S.1915, will put an end to the despicable practice of slaughtering American Horses for human consumption overseas. The Senate is on record supporting an end to commercial horse slaughter -- 69 Senators supported an amendment in the FY 2006 Agriculture Appropriations bill which prevented funds to be used for the inspection of horse meat in the United States. A similar amendment passed the House by a vote of 269-153 and was retained in Conference.
Unfortunately, the Department of Agriculture circumvented Congressional intent to end the practice of horse slaughter and has allowed inspections to continue on a fee-for-service basis. A poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies in August found that nearly 70% of Americans oppose the slaughter of horses for human consumption overseas.
There is a great deal of misinformation being circulated about this legislation and its impact on horses and agriculture community. Although horses have never been a part of our food chain, nearly 90,000 were slaughtered last year in three Europe-owned plants located in the United States. The horsemeat was exported largely to France and Belgium where Europeans eat it as a delicacy.
Those who defend this practice and oppose this legislation believe that if this legislation is enacted, America will be faced with an "unwanted horse" problem. They want Americans to believe that ending the commercial slaughter of horses will create an unmanageable burden on owners and horse rescue groups, which would lead to suffering among horses. This belief is contrary to the evidence. Twelve years ago, 300,000 horses were being slaughtered and that number is down to 90,000 with no evidence of increased numbers of abuse and neglect. The reality is fewer horses are being slaughtered with no extra burden.
California has served as a test case. In 1998, California banned the slaughter of horses and the interstate transportation of horses for slaughter. There has been no evidence that the ban resulted in an increase in the number of abandoned, abused, or mistreated horses. Instead, since California banned horse slaughter, horse theft in that state has decreased by 34%.
Additionally, contrary to claims that horses sent to slaughter are old and infirmed, the USDA's statistics demonstrate that the vast majority (92.3%) of American horses being sent to slaughter are healthy and many of them are stolen or taken under false pretenses--a gross violation of private property rights. Most owners taking their horse to auction are unaware their horse may end up at a slaughterhouse due to a cadre of self-described "killer-buyers" that regularly visit horse auctions to buy horses for slaughter.
This legislation does not prevent a horse owner from humanely euthanizing their horse and does not infringe on private property rights. As the leaders of the Senate, we believe it is vital that you allow this common sense legislation which is clearly supported by a bipartisan majority of our body of opportunity for the passage before the year is over. A bipartisan majority supports this legislation and wants to end it once and for all.
We owe it to our constituents to end this practice. Therefore, we urge you to ensure passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act this session. Thank you for your consideration of our request.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Landrieu &
Signatures of the Cosponsors and supporting Senators
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FROM LYN G K. (our Washington Barbaro Ambassador):
The following is excerpt from Senator Frist:
"You may be interested to know that I supported an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2006 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which was signed by the President into law, that restricts the slaughtering of horses for human consumption at federally inspected plants."
From All of US: "Until We Can Make A Difference, We'll Continue Campaigning for Barbaro" www.campaigningforbarbaro.com !
* Continue calling, emailing, faxing those key Senators! The seven (7)Senators are:
* 1. Senator Frist of Tennessee (Republican Majority Leader, retiring) 202-224-3135 phone/ 202-228-4637 fax
* 2. Senator McConnell of Kentucky (replacing Senator Frist) 202-224-2541 phone/ 202-224-2499 fax
* 3. Senator Stevens (Cosponsor & Commerce Committee Chairman) who wants to move the bill out of the committee onto the Senate Floor 202-224-3004 phone/ 202-224-2354 fax
* 4. Senator Ensign (Sponsor of S.1915 and Committee Member to move it out of the Commerce Committee) 202-224-6244 phone/ 202-228-2193 fax
* 5. Senator Harry Reid (Minority Leader) 202-224-3542 phone/ 202-224-7324 fax
* 6. Senator Landrieu (Cosponsor) 202-224-5824 phone/ 202-224-9735 fax
* 7. Senator Reed (Cosponsor)
202-224-4642 phone/ 202-224-4680 fax *
Special Thanks to Sharon Crumb, our New Jersey Barbaro Ambassador for the info update.
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For anyone interested in mailing five (5) medias at one time, go to www.participate.netand report your requests there.
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THE FOLLOWING IS LATEST33 Cosponsors of Senator Ensign's bill S.1915: S.1915 Title: A bill to amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Ensign, John[NV] (introduced 10/25/2005)Cosponsors(33) Related Bills:H.R.503Latest Major Action: 10/25/2005 Referredto Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
When it comes to staying focused on what really matters, Barbaro's health is first on his true fans' minds. Thursday, Steve Ginsburg - of the United Kingdom'sGuardian Unlimited'sReuters - summed up Bobby's life as being a series of small steps. His life's daily struggles and baby steps forward are identical to what is being accomplished for saving horses every time the sun rises and sets.
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As each day freshly starts with " Barbaro's (Bobby's) quest for survival," our own begins with more emailing, updating, and calling Senators' offices. It has become as ritualistic as Barbaro's own forty-five minute, afternoon walks with Dr. Richardson or Michael Matz by his side.
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While enjoying each other's company, there is profound joy in discovering a horse thought euthanized on October 19th at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch was not. Turns out to be an entirely diffierent one called Darlin - all due to a newsarticle mistakenly calling her"Darlin Darla."
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Miraculously, Darla is indeed alive but still hospitalized close to Missouri's Humane Society. Like Bobby, she is off critical condition, stable but no longer seriously guarded with pneumonia completely gone. Though "not out of the woods yet," Darla's joyous survival news made our Thankgiving Day. She also has daily wound cleaning and dressing changes like our hero. And, even better news came.
"The Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch and Northland insurance company have finalized an agreement giving ownership of the surviving horses in the horrific tractor-trailer accident on I-44 September 27 to the Humane Society of Missouri. In exchange, the Humane Society will not seek recovery of costs associated with the rescue, treatment and care of the animals. To date, these costs exceed $84,000." (Excerpt from Longmeadow Rescue)
Darla was one of the 23 horse survivors of 41 in that terrible Missouri accident on September 27th. Their original fate of going to slaughter at the Cavel, Illinois horse plant was changed forever instantly, making national headlines. Thankfully, many Barbaro Ambassadors became horse heros with Bobby's fans sponsoring the most critically injured Willie, including Mortie, Darlin, DD, Sue, Hocks, Princess, Stan, Jackpot, Buckwheat, Momma, Spirit, Frankie, and others. The day we all sponsored a horse was like sponsoring Bobby himself. Those who donated can be found with their special horses on our Ambassadors sidelink of www.campaigningforbarbaro.com .
Figuratively sitting on a roller coaster circling a racing track with Barbaro (Bobby),my spirits were renewed in greater strength just like Bobby's will and heart digging deeper and gaining greater strength. Gretchen Jackson is right in her saying, "I think people saw everybody support and love the horse through its injury rather than discard it. Everything is disposable in society now and maybe people see this as something that isn't disposable. It's valued."
Millions of Bobby's fans desire understanding his struggles through laminitis/surgery setbacks to help their own horses and themselves. Like legendary Seabiscuit in the late 1930's, fans identify with Bobby's injuries similiar to their own physical ailments. A prominent trainer like Mike Rea would forever be interconnected to Bobby himself. Moving beyond despair has helped us and others care and share a deeper concern for and willingness to sponsor needy horses within our own states.
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Life's caring circle seems to demand it of us. "Here's somebody with catastrophic injury and still life goes on...We were all pretty much in shock watching it. It was unbelievable," Mrs. Jackson told Reuters.
Bobby's devastating injuries and surgeries directly parallel with Mike Rea's (Fair Hill Trainer who suffered life-threatening brain stem injuries) and our families which identified even more, struggling to overcome life's tough hurdles. My mother had orthopedic leg surgery identical to Bobby's. She shattered her left leg three weeks after Bobby's Preakness accident. She had screws exactly like him, right down to the titanium plates.
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Hospitalized about an hour from Barbaro in Pennsylvania, she was referred to as "Barbaro's companion room-mate" by the nursing staff. Prior to and following her five-hour emergency surgery, came my three jawbone transplant and sinus surgeries for severe fracture reconstruction.
Bobby's unrelenting will to live somehow just kept our family going no matter what life threw our way - floods, killer tornados, and surgery setbacks - like him, our unwaivering faith is helping us rise up and over life's hurdles. If this horse can survive the odds of five surgeries, by sheer will and love, so can our family.
Through flooding rains and medical bills, like Mike Rea and Bobby, we continued to move beyond pain, suffering and as Mike Rea's family calls it "Beyond Brokenness." Coming full circle with Bobby is part of God's saving grace - His Horsewhisperer's way.
HIS LIFE's JOURNEY IS LEGENDARY as Barbaro (Bobby) emerges from tragedy to new triumphs and makes us more than we could be alone.
He has united our entire nation supportedby other countries. His trustful love and loyal companionship have opened our eyes to what a true friend really means. If he is America's horse, then her people owe him sincere gratitude for making us all realize 'Family' is what matters most next to God.
Thanks to Alex Brown's daily, faithful updates on Barbaro's health at www.timwoolleyracing.com , loyal fans and friends follow Bobby's care and day at University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center in Kennett Square. Perhaps, by following Bobby's charismatic, positive attitude - we could all adopt it and understand each other better.
In loving those who care and tend to his needs, we find our own humaneness and reason for being. Seeing clearly from pure observation, one realizes that horses are very different from livestock. They react and respond with a human type flight or fight mechanism and they can smell fear and cry much likc a human child. They are incredibly intelligent, can reason like that of a child, and will protect and lay down their own life to save their master's and use their "homing instincts" when necessary.
Perfect examples are the Modern Marwari Horses of Inda and the Icelandic Horses . There is even a Welsh Cobb pony, named Basil, who used his "homing instinct" to find his way back home to his loving Emily's arms in the dark no less after traveling a long-distance twisting route having numerous turns with her only once during daylight six months earlier.
Thus, after serious review, you realize horses are very different from livestock. Flight or Fight, they will lay down their lives to protect us and use their "homing instincts" to seek out the ones they've bonded to and love - protecting them. We owe them the same protection back.
Horses everywhere deserve same "second chance" given to Barbaro. This Christmas, let us show them the same Respect that they so trustingly show us when they receive proper love and care. But there is still another aspect of the human-horse connection to consider here.
On November 3rd. when things were difficult for the Dutch rescuing 100 horses stranded on a flooded knoll in the Netherlands, humans and horses did not give up. Yes, they lost 18, but saved most. This is a living testament to how far the human spirit of Marrum's people was willing to go. They know the true worth of their horses (See Video Dutch Rescuing above). From these events certain truths are revealed.
Responsible Ownership, Love, and Care are just the beginning. Why do we continue to hurt those who love us more than we love ourselves?
Big Changes are in the wind...Positive attitude will turn the tide...Thanksgiving may have come and gone, but her attitude will still live on with Christmas. "Gift-giving" for Christmas is coming.
Make a difference to save our horses who deserve that same second chance that our nation's hero is getting. Will you help rescue a needy horse (retrainable and worthy) that is a needless victim of neglect, abuse or stolen? As long as slaughterhouses kill at will, our horses inhumanely and wrongfully suffer - then die.
This is our Senate's moment of truth and wakeup call. Actions carry more weight than words alone. May the right ones make the right choices and let S.1915 come to pass. Father this is what we all ask. Give us more than daily bread we pray. May this horse protection act pass before Christmas Day.
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Any given day in the life of Barbaro Jackson is anything but routine. Saturdays as a racing winner were special bath times. Now, grooming is a distant second in comparison to just how far Barbaro has come in his triumph over tragedies and winning the race of life itself with his close friends Dr. Dean Richardson, Peter Brette, and Edgar Prado. This week marks the 6 month anniversary since Barbaro's fateful day at Preakness May 20, 2006.
Commentary by CLN Shaw "It Takes a Team to Mend a Horse" so entitled is Bellwether's Fall 2006 featured issue article and from the DEAN's MESSAGE - Excerpt: Fans of Barbaro include Unversity of Pennsylvania's top veterinary hospital at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, PA. According to Joan Hendricks - Veterinarian (GR 1980), The Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine - Barbaro's tragedy reminds us of the "strength of the human-animal bond...As a legend-in-the-making, his dominant performance forged the links between himself and owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, his trainer Michael Matz, his jockey Edgar Prado, and his fans from around the globe... We all identified with him and felt the surge of energy as he galloped down the stretch in Louisville to a commanding victory. Just as powerfully, we all felt his pain when Barbaro suffered a terrible injury in the opening furlong of Preakness... Whatever the reason, Barbaro's collapse and the expert care he received at George D. Widener Hospital brought new awareness to the technological advances in veterinary medicine. Seeing Barbaro's recovery and the articulate updates by Dr. Dean Richardson, had a huge impact on people relating to the distinctive skills and healing touch of veterinarians - surgeons, anesthesiologists, criticalists, nurses, and surgical team staff provide." Care for Barbaro extends now to the overall importance of top veterinary medicine to both animals and people nationally. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell just released the first $13.5 million installment of $30 million approved in state appropriations for rebuilding George D. Widener Large Animal Hospital facilities at New Bolton Center. These critical funds will allow installing a biohazardous safety digester to handle infectious-diseased animal tissues including those contaminated by avian influenza and building a state-of -the-art facility for horses with colic and other high-risk infectious diseases. The goals are for more efficient, comfortable, confident, and quicker handling, identifying, and containing infectious outbreaks. One top goal is matching funds to the $30 million raised from private contributions in "our upcoming Capital Campaign for enabling state-of-the-art expansion of the Widener Hospital facilities." Of course, THE BARBARO FUND has enabled much help along with the apples, mints, carrots, flowers, and hand-drawn signs left by fans of Barbaro at the entrance to the New Bolton Center. These and the daily postings at www.vet.upenn.edu/barbaro/index.php clearly show how deeply are the bonds so many of us share with Barbaro and our animals... TO READ MORE, go to www.vet.upenn.edu/bellwether/v65/article6.shtml .
"Everybody on a Championship Team doesn't get publicity but everyone can say he/she is a champion." Earvin "Magic" Johnson
They have always been a team; each department, each person has an integral part in the workings of New Bolton Center - part of the University of Pennsylvania's 700 acres where some of the finest veterinary services exist. Doctors, Nurses, Admissions, Housekeeping Staff, Telephone Operators, and Mail Clerks - all part of an elegant complex synergy of healing animals and helping people. Yes, they had always been a team but never realized just how much until that Saturday, May 20, 2006 - when a champion faltered before the eyes of millions of people. The horse was Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, and his larger-than-life presence at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, since then, has connected all New Bolton's players in not only caring for this horse loved around the world, but in keeping the Hospital on top of its game... To READ MORE VISIT http://www.vet.upenn.edu/bellwether/v65/article1.shtml
The wristbands are to be worn as a reminder of all that Barbaro has represented -- his courage, his triumph, his charm, and most of all his heart. When the person wearing the wristband happens to catch a glimpse of it -- it will be a reminder say a little prayer for him, and also to send him loving and healing thoughts. MEDIUM WRISTBAND (7 3/8") QUANTITY _____ ($5.00 EACH) LARGE WRISTBAND (8 3/8")QUANTITY _____ ($5.00 EACH) TOTAL $ _____.__ (CASH OR CHECKS PAYABLE SHARON CLARK) To order wristbands; please print this page and send $5.00 for each wristband to: Sharon ClarkP.O. Box 78Silver Spring, PA 17575 You may e-mail Sharon at barbarowristbands@dejazzd.com
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
May 20, 2006, started out like just any other day, I looked in horror, poor brave Barbaro, how hard I did pray. I prayed with all my being, that the horror I had seen 3 times at the track, would not become another horrible reality, the strength I did so lack. As I sat in front of the TV, tears running down my face, my head in my hands, I prayed to the Lord above, please Lord, I hope you are his biggest fan. Let him live, he’s done nothing wrong, he is just a child, he will grace this world, not just today, but for a long while. So many heartaches I have seen at the track, I needed Barbaro to live, I needed to restore the faith that I lacked. I held vigil at the University of Penn website, and on Yahoo news, please let him make it through the surgery Lord, you have nothing to lose. He will reward you, you will see in good time, this I am sure of, I would give up my last dime. Hours of waiting and praying for Barbaro not to lose his fight, comes the relief I hoped for, he made it through surgery alright. My vigil continued for all of that night, hoping and praying he will come out of this, he does have the fight. Finally the moment of truth had arrived, I could not believe what I saw, had to wipe my eyes. Here he comes! Barbaro is walking with Dr. Dean, such a beautiful sight this was that I had seen. Look at him! Chowing down that food, get out of my way Doc, I am hungry, didn’t mean to nudge you, sorry I have been rude. You see Doc, you made me feel better, how can I ever give thanks, give me a little time to heal, I will show you some really good pranks! This is what I seen in the pictures after recovery, so full of life, so innocent, so much discovery. There are so many people that I would like to thank, what you all have given back to this world, could never be put in a bank. It came from your hearts, it came out of love, the hero you have given me, forever blessed from above.
Hurray, Hurray can get more grass and stay out longer and longer each day with my friend, Dr Dean Richardson. Yes, Barbaro takes the good doctor for 45 minutes of fresh air and exercise or is it the other way around? Our world is more than black and white with shades of grey inbetween the colors above (by Cle Shaw).
Wm's love for horses stems from his father's service as Delaware's Horseracing Commissioner for almost forty years.
Carole's is from her own father's fondness for "The Horse Whisperer" methods to train young rebellious unrideable colts. Photos, showing Barbaro's feisty charismatic spirit, inspired "Barbaro's Goodnight Whisperer" honoring those who have played vital roles supporting Barbaro and other race horses like Bluegrass Cat and Bernadini. They are all Champion companions.
As Barbaro kept winning his health back against medical odds-- from triumph to tragedy--back to triumph again, we asked. "Would his effect be strong enough to win life's second chance for all horses?"
Reviewing Robert Redford's "The Horse Whisperer" inspired "Barbaro's Whispering Legacy For All." Like Barbaro's battles in life, the words reflect our struggles to win over death and acknowledge we as a nation must preserve our American Horse Legacies.
Without horses like Barbaro, we would lose our humanity -- dignity -- moral conscience.
