Beautiful, Beautiful Horses
By Bonnie
@yoyo1198 (3641)
United States
May 23, 2011 5:50am CST
They ran the Preakness Ssturday evening and since I'm from horse-Loving Kentucky, I was watching the race. The horses are so beautiful when they're all out running like that, that it just gives my heart a jolt and everytime I see one of these races I tear up and have to find a kleenex. They are just so fantastic and you can tell that they are running their hearts out.
I've loved all animals all of my life, mainly dogs and cats, but there is just somethng about a horse that takes your head and twirls it round and round. I don't bet on the races, I just enjoy watching the run with the long clean all-out strides, with ears pricked up and the horses knowing exactly what they are wanting to do. It's just beautiful.
Did any of you share my excitement during this race? Did you also watch Animal Farm win the Derby? He came in second behind Shackleford's first at the Preakness thereby knocking him out of the chance to win the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown will be concluded in June at the Belmont Stakes. We don't know if these two fine horses will race the Belmont but if they do, I'll be right here glued to the tv set for the short 5 minutes or so that it will take to run. Such a short time to watch such beauty and an exciting sports show.
What do you think about horse racing? Don't you think the horses are beautiful to behold? Do you sit forward on your chair and pump your arm for your favorite? Do any of you ride and have your own horse(s)?
4 people like this
17 responses
@ajk111 (2495)
•
24 May 11
4 years ago i took my wife to the UK Grand National at Aintree as a treat and it gave both of us a completely different prospective on these animals. to be metres from these thundering hoofs as they galloped by, myjestic throughbreds, their pounding muscles covered in a sheet of sweat as the ground shook to a crescendo of noise.
these animals are a glory to behold and are beautiful example of breeding for perfection.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
24 May 11
Glad u enjoy it so much.I never watch the races. Shame on me, huh?lol
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
24 May 11
Good morning to u. U are probably right. Haven't seen much of u lately, glad to hear from u. Thanks, babies are all doing fine. Thanks for asking. Have a happy day.
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
24 May 11
Hi, Lady....Nah, not shame on you. I just think you don't know what you're missing. I think if you were to watch just one, you would change your mind. I usually tune in just in time to see the race. I don't particularly cotton to all the rigamarole they put viewers through during the prerace programs. The race itself is less than 5 minutes (somewhere more or less) and it gets rather exciting.
Thanks for dropping in. We haven't crossed paths much lately. Hope you are doing alright. How are the babies?
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 May 11
I once owned a race horse and posted about it a few years ago. If I ever find it I will send it to you. My husband was a steward at the races and he just loved to see them run too. No I didn't see any of the races and, despite my experience, do love horses and all animals
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
25 May 11
Hey, cyn....How great to have had a race horse!!! Did you train it too? I certainly would be interested in seeing that post.
I'm such an animal lover too. I used to take in all kinds of strays and help find them homes. Several have wandered up and decided they wanted to live with me. I wonder if they can just somehow smell an animal person. Thanks for responding.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
25 May 11
It is a very long story but basically the horse did not like me at all. very funny story. Yes, I had my racing colours too - but not for long. The horse turned out to be a white elephant
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
24 May 11
I have rode horses, but I haven;t had the chance to do it in a while. I have a friend that has some beautiful horses and yes..I love them. I would like to have one myself. I just don't have a proper place. I haven't ever really watched the races. They are awesome creatures though.
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
25 May 11
Hi, Jen.....When I was a kid, I always said that if I were rich when I grew up, I would have an animal shelter that was humane and no-kill. Well, I never got rich but I did help with animal welfare when I was younger than now. Kentucky and Tennessee are great places for horses. Does your friend show the horses? Thanks so much for responding.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
25 May 11
I know some people that show their horses, but the friend that I ride with doesn't.
That would be great to be able to do the no kill animal shelter. I wish I could do something like that too. I donate to the local one and though about doing some stuff there this summer. It's hard to go and then leave them behind though.
@skeeter747 (119)
• United States
24 May 11
Hello there! I also love horses well the whole fam does. We ride horse. I had gotten hurt on a horse in kentucky a few years back but I still rode the trail. I think it is called the jennie willie trail but I don't know if I spelled it right. I go to alot of horse shows also. Anywho the Derby, ahh the Derby just love it :P
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
25 May 11
Hi, skeeter.....I think you are so lucky to have hands-on experience with horses. I never learned to ride but always loved to go see them whenever the chance presented. You have gone to the Derby too? I went to Churchill Downs with a group during the off-season. It's very interesting. Thank you for looking in and responding.
@skeeter747 (119)
• United States
25 May 11
Hello yoyo1198 ! I was raised with Horses and rode as a child and have rode many times as a adult. I have been on so many Trails in Kentucky . I quess that would just be the case do to Kentucky being where I was born and raised. The love for horses is just in the blood. There are many horse trail rides going on right now . I logged in to facebook the other day and was invited to trail ride in Kentucky. The best way to learn to ride is to ride a horse that people call the baby sitter:) All that is is where your horse will be a follower instead of the leader, and the baby sitter never leaves you behind. I have not been to Churchill Down however I have watched it many times. My little Sister always bets in the race's,and she has won alot of money doin that. I will be attending the up coming horse show for my husband will be riding in it:)
P.S I have had alot of hands on with horses and that is lucky. Thanks. Also I have owned many Horses and cleaned many stalls:P Cleaning the stalls can be some hard work if not done daily:)
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
19 Jun 11
Unfortunately I had to miss this one. I was not around the day that they had this race, but it would have been a Great one to watch. The horses that race in these competitions are beautiful. Such time and patience is spent on them training them and getting them ready for these big days. It is just so awesome to see them run like the wind just enjoying something they are trained to do.
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
20 Jun 11
I watched all three of the Triple Crown races and although the horse that I wanted to win, didn't I did not lose money as I did not bet on the race. I am hoping to go to the Kentucky Derby next year with my daughter and enjoy the race live.
I also think that the horses are absolutely beautiful!
I do have my own horses and we trail ride quite a bit. We enjoy every minute of it and I am thankful that we are able to have them. I will be training a yearling this summer and I hope to ride her in about a year and a half. I think that she is absolutely beautiful as well.
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
20 Jun 11
Hello, carol....I do so envy you with your horse experience. Horse riding and tending is something that I have never been able to do. But I have always loved watching them in the races and during touring in the horse country of Kentucky.
There aren't many around where I live now. Thanks for dropping in and responding.
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
23 May 11
I am always amazed when I see these horses. Getting up close and personal with one can be quite an event especially for kids. When we were kids, we were so small and the horses were so big that we were kind of afraid of them. But we found the horses on my uncle's farm quite gentle once we got to know them and they learned that we were just little 'bugs'. Thanks for coming in to my discussion, jill. We never went sleigh riding with them though.
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
24 May 11
I have mixed feelings about horse racing. I never thought a lot about it until I was close to horses when my sister had about a dozen of them. I think that many people abuse horses (and dogs too). And, frankly, I'm totally against any kind of betting.
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
25 May 11
I think that the thoroughbreds that are raced are treated very well. I've not heard of any abuse in that area. However, we've had people in this area who have owned horses when they actually couldn't afford to keep them and have been arrested and charged with abuse. I can't watch those news reports. I have to turn away every time.
Betting is not in my agenda. I just love to watch them. I'm sure you've driven down through horse country in Kentucky and seen how magnificent they are. It's about time for me to take another trip over there.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
23 May 11
You know, I'm from Baltimore and never, not once, went to the Preakness, although I'd thought about going more than a few times. Something always seemed to come up to get in the way.
I was friends with a family who raised a few champions, although their names are long forgotten by me now.
I've loved horses since I was a kid growing up with a neigbor who owned a gorgeous golden Palomino whom he (the owner) would let us ride occasionally. His name, most aptly, was Trigger, named after Roy Rogers' famous horse.
They are some magnificent animals, aren't they?
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
24 May 11
I have not be able to watch both races,because I was working. Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby! You got his name wrong! OOPS!
I love horse and always have! I even owned one for almost 27 years! Anyway I do like horse racing but in some way I don't. I love seeing the horses race and see how fast they can go. I also like to see great races like the Preakness was on saturday! I watched Seattle Slew win the Triple Crown in 1977. I saw Steve Cauthen ride Affirmed to win the Triple Crown in 1978! I don't like they break Thoroughbreds at like 18 months or younger! If they make it to the track,the TB's race at 2 years old! So many break down racing! That I don't like! I don't like how the trainers tie down the horse tongue,before a race so they can't get their tongue over the bit. I think is inhumane! TB's aren't mature until 4 and years of breeding the legs of a TB have gottan to fragile! Even with tracks becoming better and better vet care,way to many horse breakdown racing! Some have to be put down when the injuries are to serious! I have hear stories of famous TB's getting slaughtered for their meat which I think is totaly disgusting! I am sorry I went on and on but I had to get this all out!
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
24 May 11
Hi, blue.....Don't know what I was thinking about Animal 'farm'.....I was typing so fast and trying to think at the same time and sometimes those don't mix well with me. Thank you for the correction. That might be a good name for a horse someday though, you think?
I understand what you mean about racing the horses too early. They're not ready before 4 yrs. old.
I had noticed that Schackleford had been really edgy before this race and they had a little trouble getting him into the gate. But he ran that nervousness off quite well.
I think that if Animal Kingdom had had a little more distance to go he would have won the Preakness. He was coming up right well. He just ran out of track.
Thanks for your response and I appreciate your knowledge.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
23 May 11
Unfortunately I don't have television so I've missed the races.
I've always loved horses. Used to as a young girl have a welsh pony and would spend hours just draped across his back as he grazed. He and I were good buddys.
Thanks for the awesome discription of the horses and their race in your discussion. Horses are very intelligent and most likely love the run and to compete.
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
23 May 11
Hello, Debra....I didn't actually have a horse when I was growing up. I had an old Uncle Berle who had a fairly large farm and he used farm horses. They were so big that I was half afraid of them. But they would let us kids pet them whenever we would go out there.
I think horses are very aware of what's going on when they race. The winner always looks so proud in the winner's ring.
@original8 (107)
• Belgium
24 May 11
Horse should be free, not for entertainment for others they are beings you know, they should be allowed be freed and live in peace.
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
24 May 11
Hi, original. I appreciate and thank you for your opinion on the horses. However, I understand that these thoroughbreds are treated and managed better than some people. They are pampered, petted and receive better medical care, housing, feed and incidentals than a newborn baby. From what I have observed, they actually enjoy contact with humans and the sport of the race.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
23 May 11
I do love horses because they are beautiful but I'm terrified of them so no I don't ride any. I grew up with a pony which is smaller than a horse but big enough. He was such a sweet gentle old soul and lived to be in his 40's, a ripe old age. My dad is from Idaho and he used to own a beautiful white horse that he named Fleet that he caught from the wild when he was about 6 or 7 years old. He loved that horse dearly. He talked about him a lot and still does from time to time. I found a cross stitch with a young boy with a white horse and I got it and made it for my dad. He was so happy to get it. He hung it on the living room wall just above his recliner chair. On the way to my parents place, neighbors have a field of horses and we're all always commenting about how beautiful they are. Dad loves the solid white one and mom loves the palomino horse. lol I don't watch the races but love horses nonetheless.
Thanks for adding me to your friends list!!!
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
23 May 11
You're welcome, CatsandDogs. You're an animal lover so it's logical.
It's good to have a healthy fear of something so much bigger than you. I'm too old to get a horse now or even to take riding lessons so I jsut read about them and watch 'em on tv. Thanks for dropping in.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
23 May 11
The horses that run in such races as the Kentucky derby are truly remarkable animals. Just watching them run and the beauty they possess is a reward in itself. Nothing can match the pride they show when they compete.@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
23 May 11
Hello, sender.....There are some who think that horses are rather dumb. Apparently they haven't been around them very much. I think they show majesty and pride. They are so very beautiful. Seeing a herd in a Kentucky horse field is truly breathtaking. Thank you for dropping in.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
23 May 11
I have seen a few races both on TV and live while in Tennessee as well. The excitement of the race sure is like adrenalin to view and kind of like wanting to push them faster myself. lol
I have ridden a horse once and it was my first time, out here in Illinois. I was scared out of my wits, but sure ended up being so much fun. Once I figured out what to do it was like I was in total control.
I love to feel their hair and skin, it felt so smooth and admired them even more. I remember sitting tall and a couple times feeling like a jock leaning forward, though I must admit I did not go fast at all, afraid to go way too fast and get thrown off the horse. lol
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
23 May 11
I always go to see the Anheiser Busch Clydesdales when they come to Evansville. I think the Shriners sponsor them for the summer fest down on the river. Now those are majestic horses. And they are so gentle and we are able to pet them. We're having the Blue Angels this year so I don't know if they'll have the Clydesdales or not. Thank you for coming in.
