House Editorial: Saying goodbye to Barbaro
But don’t forget he’s a horse, of course
Posted on February 1, 2007

We at The Breeze would gather with much of America to remember this week’s biggest news story: the passing of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. We would join hands with the media and the masses in devoting countless hours, hands clasped in mourning over the loss.

We would, but Barbaro is a horse.

In what should have been a bigger issue than the euthanizing of an animal, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that 46.6 million (15.9 percent) Americans are without health care, as are 8.3 million (11.2 percent) children. In one of the wealthiest countries in the world, large proportions of the population could not afford the medical care and attention that was lavished on Barbaro the horse.

But you will not see headlines about the outrage of the American people over the plight of their country’s poorest citizens; rather, you will see “Barbaro’s life and death full of lessons,” as The Arizona Republic trumpeted Monday. The story was filled with emotional statements from Arizona residents whose hearts Barbaro touched.

“This is an animal that most of us have never met, were never in proximity to, and yet he moved so many people,” said Kris Haley of the Arizona Humane Society in a tear-filled interview. “Barbaro was one of those masterful teachers who can teach us how to care.”

Co-owner Gretchen Jackson agreed: “America is really looking for a hero,” she said.

We would be inclined to agree, but Barbaro is a horse.

To make matters ironically worse, the owners were not paying doctors tens of thousands of dollars because they wanted their beloved animal to retire, hitting up early-bird specials and writing that novel that was kicking around in his head since before he won at Churchill Downs — they wanted him to be comfortable enough to breed. A proven winner of good stock, Barbaro would have been worth as much in the sack as he was on the track. For this “hero,” this “teacher,” the contents of his loins far exceeded the content of his character in value.

Such a utilitarian reduction would be enough to bring us to tears. It would, but after all, Barbaro is a horse.