Monsoon

It is not really that bad out there and I sure the moisture is doing wonders for my plants, trashed lawn included, but it sure is grim looking outside. It started raining as soon as I stepped out of the house this morning and Dempsey got the short version of the walk.

If I remember correctly, the past couple years have had similar weather just prior to the State Time Trial Championships. I have a vague recollection of spending some time on the trainer, sweating, watching whatever the old idiot box has to offer. Though many have serious trainer aversion, it is actually pretty good prep for the effort required for State TT both mentally and physically. The length of the race is (or should be) in the sub-50 minute range and what's on TV these days is just about as boring as the "scenery" out by the airport. Do they make blinders for time trial helmets?

I am trying to figure out the logic behind this one, take a quick read and let me know what you think. The single phrase summary is "the silver lining to the buying-an-SUV-in-the-$4-a-gallon-of-gas-world-we-live-in argument" . . . riiiiiiiiight.

The Belmont Stakes is this weekend and Big Brown is the odds on favorite to win which would put him in the history books with the few, proud horses that have won the Triple Crown. The small crack in his hoof will surely give PETA more ammunition for their campaign against unethical treatment of horses in racing. Although the description of the standard treatment for the condition gave me the heebie jeebies, it sounds like your run of the mill manicure, just for horses:

"McKinlay, who works for a Canadian company called Tenderhoof Solutions, applied stainless steel sutures, similar to stitches, and pulled the crack shut. Before that, he ground down dead tissue around the crack." - 5/27/08 Washington Post

PETA has requested that a panel of vets examine the animal to evaluate his condition and determine if the hoof problem presents a risk that should keep him out of the race. Horse racing is a high risk activity, but so is life for large animals with spindly legs! PETA should continue to focus their energy on useful causes like rights of chickens that have a certain future of slaughter by KFC. Is a boycott of KFC by PETA members really that effective?


How can you allege treatment that is anything but ethical? Look at the blanket, the leg warmers, the bell boots on the front hooves, where do I sign up?