Would it make a difference if they were filming with horses that were not thoroughbreds? I know that those race horses are pretty awfully built as specimens, but would it be a necessity to use such frail creatures and not some breed that looks similar but is more sturdy?
If three athletes dropped dead at a athletics meet, some might suggest the sport should be banned.Originally Posted by CMJ
Having 3 animals drop dead would tell you something about the nature of the sport.
Romney's less subtle campaign message: "Don't ask questions and just vote for me!!"
Not really, my aunt and uncle have lost "regular" horses (ie non racehorses) that just took a bad step while grazing. Also the tiniest hoof injury can turn into a life threatening condition (like laminitis) in no time.
You really can't compare the frailty of horses to humans. At all.
Oh bull. shit. Like, seriously, you're going to make the argument that racing and thoroughbred breeding programs don't put the animals at increased risk? And I'm sure pony-chuck racing doesn't hurt animals at all, right?
I have sat in the glass-walled apartments built into thoroughbred birthing rooms that handlers have to live in because if they're not there when the animal goes into labor, both mare and foal die. I have seen the defected foals that get turned into dog food. I've seen more than my fair share of horses go down with legs so broken they were put down on the spot, and almost every one was a result of the animal being pushed too hard or cared for improperly. Yes, honest accidents and slips into gopher holes happen, that's how my first horse died when I was four, but that's the only time in my life that it's happened to one of my family's horses. It's a far, far different world than track horses. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever seen horses described as "frail."
And good horse handlers know how to avoid founder.
I can't say I've had your experience, because I didn't grow up on a farm. My knowledge mostly comes from one of my uncles that had a ranch (I guess...it was a ton of land but they didn't have cows or anything, so I am not sure what the correct term would be) that I visited when I was young, and they always had a few horses they rode from time to time for pleasure. They sure as hell weren't racing on them or anything.
(I never got on one because I'd was scared I'd fall off even though they seemed docile enough [as a kid that didn't matter much to me])
But anyways, I know they lost a horse or two in odd circumstances. He's the one that gave me the impression horses were fairly fragile. Uncle Jim eventually moved states and bought another large parcel of land, but no horses now that I know of (haven't visited him in like over 15 years).
Now, if you say I'm full of shit, and I don't know what I'm talking about, that's fine. You have the expereince to do so. I was just attempting to give background so it didn't look like I was making shit up.
I've ridden horses for most of my life and know that they are actually quite fragile, hence why I oppose horse-racing as a sport.
Horses will run when they want to, but forcing them to run like that wreaks havoc with their cardio-vascular system as well as their comparatively weak legs.
Romney's less subtle campaign message: "Don't ask questions and just vote for me!!"
I'll respond longer later, but for the record I don't oppose horse racing in general, I oppose a certain segment of horse culture that, if left unchecked, WILL get the sport banned, eventually.
Accidents do happen at all levels, but they happen a lot more with trainers who don't know what they're doing or who force junk-value thoroughbreds into as many races as possible. When horses go down it may look like a total accident, but it's usually because they weren't structurally sound going in. Not always, sure, but so much of what goes on could be avoided.
I have no doubt that Milch and Mann were making an honest effort to keep their horses safe, but once a trend starts to develop over such a short period of time, it becomes clear that they're not doing a good enough job.
Nice interview, and I feel more comfortable about finishing the season. Everyone's honest about what happened (while also, you know, hopefully ensuring that it isn't compared to Heaven's Gate), and Milch is working on a new project.
This was their finest hour yet.
It breaks my heart but I'm glad we at least had this. I think this episode is among the very best Hoffman has done in his career.
Goddamn, it sucks that this is over. That race was a fucking nailbiter.
And I am going to miss this ensemble so much. Such a fantastic group of characters.
To think of what would have transpired between Gambon and Hoffman. My heart is broken right now.
The scene at the morgue was so damn intense and has haunted me all day. That we will never see Gus inflict payback for what happened to that young man makes it worse. The look on Hoffman and Farina's faces - subtle facial reactions that broke my heart. And then Ace making that phone call in the car while Gus waits outside - again heartbreaking.
I will miss the 4 friends the most. I love how they laid down bets for people that had helped them reach this destination - from the Doctor who takes care of one to the jockey pulled from the horse. They were talking about getting a house together and I thought gosh I really wish I could have seen that. Good to know they will go into tv oblivion as friends.
The scene in the hospital after the miscarriage - that he came through when he needed to showing tenderness. Tissues needed yet again.
Hoffman has done the unthinkable. Passed Cranston and Buscemi for my favorite lead performance by a male this year. I will miss Ace and Gus and Rosie and the four friends.
If there is Emmy justice, Hoffman and Nolte will be getting Emmy nods. Same goes for the director of episode 4. But the two performances, both of which are worthy of taking home an Emmy, that stick out and cause me to reevaulate them as actors were by Jason Gedrick and Kevin Dunn. The beautiful friendship between the characters was made so much more powerful by these two lived in performances. Hopefully this will cause a resurgence for Gedrick. He was so, so good here. And as for Dunn, thanks to Milch and Mann for giving this actor a chance to show the untapped talent of this man. As with the show, that performance should not be forgotten.
I just finished the finale...I think Farina might have become my favorite of the supporting cast. Not necessarily saying the best (there are so, so many great supporting performances on this show: Kind, Farina,Gedrick, Dunn, Nolte, etc.) but my favorite. One of the things I'll miss from the show is his interaction with Hoffman.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
