Soccer Dad

My column for a horse

I find it hard to work up much emotion for Barbaro. Or even to identify much with the Kentucky Derby winning horse that was put to sleep the other day. Kathleen Parker on the other hand does and tells us in But he's Barbaro.

Our fixation on Barbaro began during the 2006 Kentucky Derby, where the colt won by six and a half lengths. Just moments into the Preakness Stakes, which many expected him to win, he shattered his right rear leg.

It was a catastrophic injury that would have resulted in most horses being euthanized on the spot. But Barbaro was special, not least in his ability to inspire humans

One of the qualities being ascribed to Barbaro, courage, is particularly hard to understand. As Parker noted, most other horses would have euthanized immiedately after suffering an injury of the magnitude of the one suffered by Barbaro. That he wasn't, wasn't his choice. Courage as defined the Merriam-Webster dictionary means "mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty."

In the case of Barbaro though, the strength was not his own. It was that of his owners. Out of some combination of affection and financial interests, his owners felt that it paid to keep him alive. And for awhile it seemed like their choice was a good one as the horse survived beyond what was expected; and was seemingly on the road to recovery.

On another level, Barbaro may have been the right horse at the right time. Americans love a champion, a winner, a striver. We identify ourselves by those lights. But since Sept. 11, 2001, we are plagued with doubt, anxiety and no small fear that we may not win this race against evil. Here to remind us of our weak resolve in that struggle are Fonda and Kerry, whose headlines collided with Barbaro's.

This is reading way too much into Barbaro's appeal. In the Baltimore Sun, Barbaro pushed more important stories off the front page. Suicide bombing in Israel - back page of the front section. Hubble camera fails - middle of first section.

Barbaro was indeed a champion and he survived longer than anyone could have expected. But that was because of innate physical strength not due to his moral fiber or will to live. His life was not his own; the decision for him to live or die was up to his owners and doctors.

Reading too much into Barbaro's appeal shows the frivolity of our times.

UPDATE: A shorter version of my argument.

The shortest.

Blogdigger tag: Barbaro.