Horse injuries

Dear Editor,

On page 11 of the May 6, 2008, Gazette, there was a story about Eight Belles, the filly euthanized at the Kentucky Derby May 3.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals want Gabriel Saez, her jockey, suspended for not noticing her injury. Larry Jones, trainer, says Saez used a whip to keep her from crashing into the rail.

Tensions run high at thoroughbred racing events like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Big Brown set a record with his 43⁄4-length win at the 2008 Kentucky Derby. Eight belles came in second and gave her life.

Barbaro, another kentucky Derby champion, won the race May 6, 2006. Then, on May 20, 2006, the bones in his right hind leg were broken at the Preakness. His owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, hired expert veterinarians to save him Barbaro underwent surgery and by early January 2007, his leg was healed. Unfortunately, laminitis, an infection in the hoof of horses, was preventing his recovery. His leg was broken near the fetlock, the joint above the hoof.

Experienced veterinarians did all they could to save Barbaro. Between the coffin bone and hoof wall are two layers of laminae. They bind the coffin bone to hoof wall so it doesn't shift as the horse walks. Maninitis made inroads that could not be reversed. The last weekend of January 2007, Barbaro was euthanized.

Perhaps Saez, knowing the seriousness of Eight Belle's situation, felt all that could be done was to keep her from falling into the guardrail.

(References: McCook Daily Gazette, May 6, 2008, Smithsonian Magazine pp. 90-97, April 2007)

Helen Ruth Arnold,

McCook.