My Grandfather told me as a boy, that the horse and his father were so close that he could not remember a time without remembering them together.

So important to the way of life was Sunke Wakan, it translated in Lakota to sacrad dog, as it could do everything a dog could, but better!

How sad we take such a noble beast and race them before they are strong enough to withstand the rigors of the track. Civilization has passed them by, by uncivil human society.

"In the beginning of all things wisdom and knowledge were with the animals for Tirawa, the above did not speak directly to man. He sent certain animals to tell men that he showed himself through the beasts, and that from them and from the stars and the sun and the moom should man learn. All things tell of Tirawa."

Eight Belles told us, man is still ruthless.

Eight Belles told us no such thing.

She was cared for all her life by people would took the very best care of her that anyone(human or animal) could have ever hoped to received.

Horses run, it is what they do. Throughbreds are bred to increase that instinct. They LOVE to run. If you had ever worked with a Throughbred you would know that before they hit "middle-age",you are going to have to let them RUN for a minimum of 30 minutes before you can do any other work with them.

Eight Belles was a 3 year-old. Ready,willing,and able to do what she loved best. Run

And you are a fool if you do not know that her owner would have moved heaven and earth to save her if it had of been possible. It was not.

You are correct flica47, horses of Eight Belles breed love to run. There is a time and place for everything, as well as a time to rest, and I'll leave it at that.

My original posting wasn't meant for comment, although I appreciate your discourse.

A Buffalo Runner Eight Belles might have been, during my Great Grandfather's time, she'd also be alive for the hunt another day.

There is part of me which is becoming willing to outlaw such things as circuses, the average zoo, rodeos, horse and dog racing, even certain hunting. I don't even like these trained chimps on television or animals doing unnatural tricks for the camera. Basically any use of animals for entertainment bothers me a great deal on a moral level. It seems these animals always get the short end of the stick.

I have no problem with eating meat, though I would prefer we get rid of the factory farm. I am not a bleeding heart or someone who wants to apply new laws to everything and everyone.

I just wish people would reconsider using animals for entertainment. It's not right.

Thoroughbreds are bred to run, and born to run, for sure, but not with a man on its back, or around a certain track for a certain amount of time. They would probably not have naturally evolved into being super muscular but with slim little legs which are not made for dealing with the enormous stress of carrying its weight and the jockey's down the track.

Those little legs have been bred into the horse, like the Pug's cute little nose has been bred nearly out of existence, so that it has all sorts of health and breathing problems.