You mean this? It has been posted, but definitely worth another mention! :yes:
It is wonderful!!!
www.bloodhorse.com
http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=37106
[B]Jacksons, New Bolton to Receive Special Eclipse Award
[/B]
I believe it was “officially announced” today. But I could have missed something earlier. It was on the front page of the Thoroughbred Daily News today.
I believe one of factors that make animals so smart is that they are keenly aware of their body… what is wrong, what it needs and when it needs it. In this case, it seems as if Barbaro has made the mental link between his body, his caretakers and survival. Go Bobby! 
Off to light another candle for the big guy.
Barbaro is “down to” 5,600 candles and it looks like quite a few are going to burn out shortly.
okay guys I just lit 12 candles but it looked like 30 or so went out…keep it up for the Big guy! He needs our support…
5,763 now.
Thanks Alex~
Update 1341: Peter Brette just called. Another comfortable night for Barbaro last night. He had heard from Michael, who had received a call from Dr. Richardson.
update 2:20 pm, wednesday, january 17
Thanks Alex~
Update 1342: Mrs. Jackson just called and confirmed that Barbaro was comfortable. She visited Barbaro this morning. Barbaro was laying down when she arrived. Barbaro heard Mrs. Jackson and was straight to his feet. He “inhaled” the grass Mrs. Jackson brought with her. Mrs. Jackson also noted he is now bearing more weight on his left hind, clearly expressing more comfort doing so.
I want to know if Mrs. Jackson has a greenhouse full of grass? I live in downstate NY and we do not have any…can I import some for my horse? Glad to know he is comfy today…Wish we knew more about his treatment, it could make for very interesting reading…
Lighting candles and jingling in NY!
They have a 198 acre farm and I am certain the staff have been instructed to keep growing grass for Barbaro at any cost!!
[QUOTE=War Admiral;2146768]
Coming from the owner of a similarly bred (albeit much older!) TB, HECK YES, it’s completely consistent with the horse’s personality to ask for (if not DEMAND) what he wants/needs. These guys are preternaturally bright. I think most of y’all know the story about Avery jumping out of his pasture, unlatching the back barn door, turning the ceiling fans on, opening a nice clean stall, going in, CLOSING the stall door, and lying down for a nap under the ceiling fans!
When Avery was in hydrotherapy he used to nearly DRAG me to the swimming pool. He also throws his halter at you when he wants to go out and thinks you’re dawdling. Back when we were messing with therapeutic shoeing, if the new shoes were making him uncomfortable, Avery would simply lie down in his stall and use his back toes to wiggle the shoes off his fronts. 
I’ve got one vet who, when not sure what approach to try next with Avery’s RF, will more than semi-seriously ask me "What does Avery think?’ He always says it laughing, and admits he’d never ask that question to ANY other client, but we’ve all learned over the years to take Avery’s opinions very seriously indeed.
So yeah, Barbaro asking for the sling doesn’t surprise me one bit. That’s what these guys are like. :yes:
Hang in there, Barbaro.[/QUOTE]
War Admiral those stories are priceless! :lol: You should seriously think about writing a book. :yes: I know that I for one, would love to hear more stories like these. :yes: What a character Avery must be - please tell us more. I think a book about his life and antics would be a huge success - everyone loves a good story and everyone loves horses (even non-horsey people). And the escapades of a highly intelligent, almost “human” horse - well, that’s what I would call a really fun book. 
Horses with so much natural intelligence are amazing.
Barbaro's intelligence shines through in every phase of his recovery. He seems to know what he needs, what is good for him, and what he needs to do to help himself heal. He is one in a million!
Off to light more candles - (they're getting low).Candles down to 5227 at 7:40 PM Wednesday. 
I generally check in about 3 X/day and light about 5 each time.
I agree that War Admiral needs to write more about Avery. :yes:
I’ve wondered also how Mrs. Jackson is still getting green grass. I know my boys would kill for green grass right about now! What’s there is under a couple of inches of snow and 1/2 inch of ice!!!
Thanks Alex~
Update 1344: I just spoke to Tom, the Jackson’s farm manager. He visited Barbaro this afternoon and gave him a good grooming. He was also positive in his assessment of Barbaro, and fed him a pear.
Rachel, from Kennett Florist, left this comment (timestamp: 8:34 pm):
Things seem well with Big Boss. NBC called this morning to let us know he needed apples and pears… we love to hear his appitite is strong! So we loaded him up with crisp apples and pears along with some other of his favorites and some treats for the staff… Happy staff, Happy horse!
On a side note, while I was at the doctor yesterday, the nurse noticed my Barbaro wristband and asked how I got involved… it made the time pass quite nicely; having to sit for 3 hours for an iron infusion… talking about my favorite subject (next to my 4 year old ofcourse)… Barbaro and the family he has created.
Thank you all! Our love to our FOB family, the Jackson’s, NBC and Alex!
WE BELIEVE!!!
Rach at KF
[QUOTE=msj;2148269]
I agree that War Admiral needs to write more about Avery. :yes:
I’ve wondered also how Mrs. Jackson is still getting green grass. I know my boys would kill for green grass right about now! What’s there is under a couple of inches of snow and 1/2 inch of ice!!![/QUOTE]
Aww thanks y’all! But didn’t mean to de-rail the thread… Just trying to give you an idea of how bright these guys REALLY are.
I too would have to assume they’ve got a greenhouse growing it. For the record, we are getting some new green stuff coming up already here in GA, but it wouldn’t be enough to feed a horse yet…
So what is up with that hot slut of the day sight? It’s quite stupid and disgusting. Does not belong on this thread.
[QUOTE=Claddagh;2148146]
War Admiral those stories are priceless! :lol: You should seriously think about writing a book. :yes: I know that I for one, would love to hear more stories like these. :yes: What a character Avery must be - please tell us more. I think a book about his life and antics would be a huge success - everyone loves a good story and everyone loves horses (even non-horsey people). And the escapades of a highly intelligent, almost “human” horse - well, that’s what I would call a really fun book.
Horses with so much natural intelligence are amazing.
Barbaro's intelligence shines through in every phase of his recovery. He seems to know what he needs, what is good for him, and what he needs to do to help himself heal. He is one in a million!
Off to light more candles - (they're getting low).[/QUOTE]
Perhaps Hollywood is ready for an animated horse movie called "Avery!" War Admiral - who would be Avery's voice?Here in our barn, we have CANTER cutie “Poker Game” who came in as a foster originally but I think we are going to have to make it ‘official’ because I just adore this guy. Anyway, “Vegas” had knee chip surgery amongst several other small problems which included white line disease and an abscess.
War Admiral’s post made me remember how smart my guy was when I was soaking his front foot in epsom salts. He shuffled around until he made room in the tub for both front feet, then he stood as still as a statue. Smart? You bet! He has been the best patient all throughout his surgery and recovery and is one of the quietest and smartest horses I have met.
I’ve always thought that he looked like Barbaro. Same color bay (although Vegas has some roaning) and a very similar star on his forehead!
Well, I looked up pedigrees to compare the 2 and it seems they have a few recent common ancestors too! Brains and class must run in the family! :winkgrin:
Barbaro on New’s
Hi gang, well I just saw Barbaro on our local evening news last night. They were taking him for a little hand walking exercise. It just broke my heart to watch him step with that right hind, but his eyes looked bright and his ears were pricked and he seemed very proud indeed to be out and about. :yes:
Grow hoof grow…
Thursday Morning ~
Thanks, Alex
Update 1345: This we have been waiting for: Slaughter Bill Introduced in House, Senate. It includes the following excerpt:
“The time has come to put an end to the practice of slaughtering horses in America,” said Ensign, one of two veterinarians in Congress. “Horses have an important role in the history of our country, particularly the West, and they deserve our protection. As a senator and a veterinarian, I am committed to doing what I can for these magnificent animals.”
The Daily Racing Form ran two stories, on two trainers, at very different stages of their careers: Pete Vestal and Larry Jones. I think reading both articles allows us to better understand how hard it really is to compete as a successful racehorse trainer in the modern era of mega stables, first started by D. Wayne Lucas who himself appears to be on a pretty major downswing as far as I can tell.
New Bolton is planning a Barbaro update for today.
(As an aside, Team Barbaro has been extremely instrumental in pushing the anti horse slaughter issue in the House & Senate.)
