Good HorsePersons Picks for the 134th Kentucky Derby

Calling all Good HorsePeople! Now is the time to bone up on your racing repertoire...the Derby is less than a month away!

Every year, the Kentucky Derby (a racing tradition since 1875) attracts a crowd more than 150,000 strong to watch the Thoroughbreds battle it out on the track...millions more tune in on their television sets and computer screens. That's millions of people watching and admiring horses; many people who may never have actually patted a horse on a neck. What this means, for all of us HorsePeople, is that we are presented a unique opportunity to talk, talk, talk about our favorite animal and the respect that they deserve. This year, when you talk about the favorites and the odds, remember to talk about what can happen to these beautiful horses AFTER their racing career has ended. Bring attention to the cause that organizations like CANTER (Communication for the Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racers) are working so hard to further. Talk about how retrained racehorses make amazing and easy-going pleasure riding mounts, sport horses and companion horses. Show pictures of your off-the-track-thoroughbred or find one on CANTER's Horse Listings. Tell people to look you up on Facebook and check out your Horsebook! Or send them here to see pictures of Grande Finale, Parker's Way and Star Style on the sidebar - all three are retired racehorses.

Here's the Good HorsePerson's Picks for the Derby so far:
1) Big Brown: this gorgeous light bay colt by Boundary (Northern Dancer lines) has only raced three times! And all three times, he won with grace and good form. We admire the way this colt has been carefully and steadily brought back from problem quarter cracks last year. And we really admire BB's current trainer, Rick Dutrow, and his strategy of using work-outs instead of races to prepare for the Derby. Not only is it kinder for the horse (and so, a good example for the entire racing community) it's also the strategy Michael Matz used to prepare Barbaro when he won the Derby two years ago.

2) Pyro: Since two good showings in the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby, this dark bay grandson of A.P. Indy has topped favorite lists around the web.

3) War Pass: On the opposite end of the earnings spectrum than Big Brown (over 1.5 million), this grandson of Mr. Prospector was on the way to Derby undefeated before coming in last in the Tampa Bay Derby (he had won the six previous races). But the colt redeemed himself by fighting hard on Saturday, when he finished second in the Wood Memorial, even with three staples in his chin from a accidental cut he got while traveling the Thursday before. His trainer, Nick Zito, reports that he is proud of the effort.

Online betting and detailed coverage on the history, opinions and picks for the 2008 Kentucky Derby is available online at a reputable racebook.

A Death in the Family: What to do When A Horse Passes Away

Recently the Good HorsePerson received an email asking advice for helping a good friend mourn the loss of her long-time equine companion. While everyone grieves differently, here are a few thoughts about managing the death of an equine partner:

Since it's usually fairly difficult to arrange for a burial site for a horse, it may be appropriate to come up with other mementos to honor the memory and the partnership between horse and owner. You might consider saving a lock of mane or tail to create a piece of memorial jewelry or shadowboxing a pair of the horse's shoes.

Sometimes equine-specific sympathy cards can be found at local tack shops, but if not, Hoofprints.com has a selection of well-written cards to choose from. At the Hoofbeats In Heaven website, you can create a memorial webpage with photos to celebrate the story of horse and rider.

Washington State University offers some tips on how to support grieving pet owners.

Finally, here is a link to a Yahoo Group specifically for those people who are grieving the loss of their horse.

If you've come up with a unique horse memorial idea or have found another web resource, please leave a comment here to share with us all!