Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

StayAtHomeKat — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 16:38:25 GMT

Congratulations for winning the Vox Populi

..... and more importantly, the race of your life - the Race for Your Life!

Much success in the years ahead!

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Discopartner — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 03:07:41 GMT

What is so exceptional about this horse's looks?? He's a plain brown horse, kind of small and effeminate looking (eyes and neck). Yet the original buyer claims he was exceptionally good-looking and well built. How so? And, he didn't win that much, so why is he being touted as one of the best horses of '12? I like big, strong horses with rippling muscles, fierce eyes, and disdain for other animals. But instead, some of these comments praise his seeming "sensitivity" and

"alertness", his big soft eyes, awareness of movements and other effeminate qualities. No! Whatever happened to being big and strong and proudly male as a basic requirement of a race

horse?

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Mickie Miller — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:48:22 GMT

You go Big Boy, you are such a beautiful baby!! So glad you are on the road to recovery!

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

deb — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:58:13 GMT

had to read the story again. Way to go P, glad you are rolling once again.......big thank you to all the docs who made it possible for him to live on.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

PomDeTerre — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:14:56 GMT

i followed paynter's illness and recovery with concern and am so very happy that he appears to be well now. i also agree with the others who have mentioned him as the worthy winner of the vox populi award. however i do not believe this horse should return to the track. that won't be popular with many of his fans, but with the trauma this horse has endured already, he should not be put through the rigors of training and the stress of racing again. turn him out and let him be a horse.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Tiz Herself — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:38:55 GMT

Any publications that I have read on this courageous horse inspires myself to never give up a fight, to keep fighting for what is most important. Paynter and his connections have faced such adverse odds and Paynter has dug deep for everything he has and I hope he keeps up the will to live. Would like to think that the Seattle Slew, the Northern Dancer and In Reality blood that courses through him also helps to play apart, being out of a full sister to Tiznow, and Tiznow had courage in spades. Keep up the fight Paynter! From your Alberta fan!

Thanks Steve for keeping us all in the loop about his situation, it means a lot.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

laura — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 07:58:17 GMT

Good to see some updated photos of Paynter. He looks great! Still, it's one day at a time with a horse that's been so ill. He couldn't be in a better place then Fair Hill. It looks like he's enjoying his stay! Wonderful to see him happy.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Discopartner — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 07:14:05 GMT

This horse will never race again and if he does he won't return to form as a 4 year old. He ain't no Wise Dan.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Discopartner — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 07:09:57 GMT

I'm glad he recovered, but I wouldn't call this horse especially good looking or impressively built. I had thought he was, based on the descriptions offered in numerous articles. The fact that he seems social could just mean he's nervous about the other horses and isn't a quality I would prize.

I long for the time when a truly powerful, big, muscled race horse emerges again.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Bellwether — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:14:34 GMT

Just beautiful to see Paynter over come almost certian death...Just wish Barbaro & Others could have had the same fate...ty...

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Onthebridle — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 03:24:58 GMT

Thank-you so very much for providing the updates and photos of Paynter's progress overcoming such dire health issues. He certainly gave us a prevue of his toughness in the Belmont when pinning his ears and giving every bit of himself trying to hold off Union Rags. That fighting spirit sure has served him well throughout this incredibly difficult ordeal. And many thanks to you Steve for your exemplary work as a true ambassador for the sport by how well you capture the true essence of what make this game the greatest. I wish more of the general public, who tend to only pay attention to the triple crown races, would read all of your articles. I am certain it would do wonders for the game! I was especially pleased to see you had written the article on the smashing debut win of Zenyatta's half sis, Eblouissante. While there will never be another Zenyatta, his filly sure has the makings of something special in her own right. I was always so amazed how Shirreffs was able to keep Zenyatta sound considering her size and of course, her running style helped too. So at least little sis is in the very best hands to keep her on track toward what I hope will be a good enough career to bring back to the track so many of those devoted Zenyatta fans who filled the stands. I eagerly await what I hope will be a new feature article from you on this promising dazzler. Happy Thanksgiving Steve!

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:08:14 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving Paynter, and to all of those who have helped you out, and especially to Mr. Zayat for his dedication and courage in helping you to live. Happy Thanksgiving to all of our broodmares and sires in foreign countries and about to go to foreign countries and to all of our animals here and everyone here and in the racing world and beyond. Happy Thanksgiving Steve. You continually give us insight and joy and we are thankful to you and your Dad for your career path that has been such a gift to so many.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Alex'sBigFan — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 02:35:42 GMT

We all love Paynter so much here I wish we could organize a

"Pilgrimage To Paynter" if Fair Hill would allow such a thing.

Paynter in his blue cape looks like SuperEquine!!! Or he looks like a regal King draped in his blue robe. Or he looks like a New York Knick suited up for a game! Whatever he looks like Paynter has the Power........the Power to heal, the Power to play, the Power to live on. Power Up Paynter.

Great idea Nu-Fan with the NBC suggestion. By the time we are all done Paynter will be all over the media, as well he should be.

Agree Ole Railbird about the engorging on those grasses causing the bloat and uneven weight distrubtion on the limbs being the primary cause of laminitis, not meds. How is that pregnant mares don't develop it? Maybe the pregnancy weight is evenly centered so they are evenly balanced, don't know do you have any insight on that?

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

an ole railbird — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:20:44 GMT

laminitis can be caused by a vareity of very simple things. especially to a horse that already has damage to lower legs & feet.

one of the known causes, are winter grasses. a muture johnson grass plant (although not a winter grass), after a hard frost, can cause it. winter grasses such as oats, wheat, or rye grass plants shortly after hard frosts,(&others) create a poision that is harmful to most to most grazing animals. it results in nitrate poision in cattle, blue tongue in sheep, & will bloat any rumemnating animal.

so i ask some of you, who have become such experts, on horse training, simplily by being race fans.

if something as simple as a chemical change, that is naturally occuring, in the earth, can cause laminitis? how do you always come up with a way to blame a trainer, of "drugging his horses".

a horse thats ready to race, is when his body funtions, are at its peak. and the least little thing can send his body into modes that vets dont even understand. and these modes the body goes into,are not always what we intend to happen.

it just galls my posterior, when i think, of all the money it takes to get a vets degree.

and i think of all the money that it cost in vet. bills to simply get a horse to a simple claiming race.

and then some poor gambler that has some bad luck can set down at his computer & 2nd guess all that has been done for the horse. and publicly accuse a top trainer of doping his horses.

before you critize professonal trainers & vets, you should have a little more experince, than what you get, peeping through the saddleing paddock fence& throwing away non winning tickets.

to all of the fans not guility of this i say" happy racing"& "good luck gambleing".

to those of which i accuse of these shameful deeds, "i hope you have more of the same kind of luck that you have been having. its what you deserve".

i remain, "an ole railbird".

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

nu-fan — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 01:39:45 GMT

I sent an email to Brian Williams (NBC) a few weeks ago when Paynter was starting his recovery. Suggested that he consider doing a segment on the horse as well as Mr. Zayat in his "making a differenece" segment. There are some (maybe, many) who have a negative opinion of horseracing. Wouldn't it be great for a mainstream media network such as NBC to show that there are "good guys" out there who do go to great lengths to safe their horse? Perhaps, some of you might want to email that same suggestion to Mr. Williams. Think of the number of people who will see this great effort on the part of Mr. Zayat and who have not even been aware of what Paynter has gone through! It could help in attracting some fans to return to horseracing.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Jean in Chicago — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:54:55 GMT

Juho Isoviita:

I agree breeding is the way to go. I'm still trying to figure out why we tell human runners to hydrate and then think it reasonable to run thoroughbreds on a dose of diuretics. If they bleed, don't breed.

But laminitis has been around for a long time and we still don't know if there is a genetic component to it. Has anybody ever done the research to see if it runs in particular families?

It seems to show up in horses with leg injuries. Is this due to reduced blood flow from lack of exercise while standing in a stall healing? Or if it begins, even at a prediagnostic level, does a horse reduce walking because its feet hurt? And speaking from experience, going for long walks after abdominal surgery is not fun.

The chemical composition of different grasses at different times of the year seems implicated. Does this change the gut flora and increase the possibility of colitis? I don't know, but I do know that until we figure out a way to prevent laminitis, I don't want more horses to be put down if there is any possibility of a cure.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Coldfacts — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:16:43 GMT

I found an interesting bit of information on one of the complex causes of laminitis.

Drug reactions: Anecdotally there have been reports of laminitis following the administration of drugs, especially in the case of ‘Corticosteroid’

One of the side effects of ‘Corticosteroid’ usage is Colitis. In medical terms Colitis is refers to an inflammation of the colon and is often used to describe an inflammation of the large intestine.

Paynter was discovered to have a severe case inflammation in his colon that necessitated surgery to address.

I am in way making an accusation but his case appears consistent with the information above.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Juho Isoviita — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:47:49 GMT

"Paynter and Thorn Song give me hope that someday (I hope sooner rather than later) vet medicine and technology will get us to a time when we won't have the heartbreak of more Secretariats and Barbaros."

Hope to see better breeding, less hormones and drugs, in US. That is the only way to get sound horses that stay sound.

Breeding is the backbone of thoroughbreds, not vet medicine and technology!

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Big_Red_4ever — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:11:12 GMT

Wow, the article on a potential treatment for laminitis on the Bloodhorse site's front page today is so encouraging. The article says, "The survival rate for laminitis is estimated to be only 25%. Very few surviving horses return to their previous levels of activity, and laminitis often reappears."

Not only is Paynter among the fortunate 25%, but there is a chance his disease could return. So all who love horses can rejoice today at this news about a possible treatment. I encourage everyone to read the article: www.bloodhorse.com/.../drug-offers-hope-in-laminitis-fight

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

JoyJackson21 — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:41:39 GMT

An ESPN documentary on Paynter's miraculous recovery is an excellent idea, Alex'sBigFan. Steve narrating the documentary is an excellent idea as well. That idea needs to be presented to the big brass at ESPN and Disney. It's the perfect time of year to run the story as well. Heartwarming special interest stories play well during the natural sentimentalism that is prevalent nationwide during the Thanksgiving/Christmas/holiday season.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:28:23 GMT

TripleCrownKaren,

Bravo! I've taken the local New Jersey TV News to task on this as well. They featured story after story on the Haskell this year but not on the plight of the winner afterwards who has NJ connections. I want Steve to speak on News12 NJ about Paynter, no one better in the world to do it. Since Paynter won at Monmouth right in the heart of where the hurricane devastion hit, he may be inspirational for New Jerseyans to stand up and keep going just like he did. They were impressed with the story so let's see if they follow suit and feature a Paynter story. Hopefully they contact the Zayats and air something.

Or Steve should narrate an ESPN or TVG documentary on Paynter.

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

JoyJackson21 — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:03:20 GMT

Hi Steve,

Thank you for the beautiful article and pictoral update on Paynter. Seeing him happy and getting better each and every day makes me so happy. Witnessing Paynter's triumphant comeback is an answer to many of my prayers. Paynter is the embodiment of courage and tenacity. His love for life is an inspiration.

Paynter looks very handsome in all of the pictures you have posted of him in this article, Steve. My absolute favorite picture is the one of Paynter rolling on the ground in pure joy. That picture brought tears to my eyes and a huge smile to my lips. I'm so happy to see Paynter so happy! - LOL. Go, Paynter, go!! Thank you, Lord, for prayers answered. So many of us love this sweet, good-natured horse. Paynter is impressive in every sense of the word. What a beautiful sight - Paynter's serene face turned toward the sun. I know he wishes he was out there running toward the rolling countryside along with the Motion horses. Thank Goodness, the miracle of Paynter's recovery means he WILL run in the rolling countryside again one day. What a happy day that will be!! I sincerely hope I will get to visit him one day and see him in person. And when I do, I will make sure I bring the mother lode of red peppermint candy for Paynter as a treat! - LOL.

Thanks again, Steve, for the wonderful, uplifting article and the beautiful photos of Paynter. You are a very fine journalist. Your work is not only informative, it is moving as well. Have a lovely week!

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

OsoDelDesierto — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:46:32 GMT

Steve, this article made my day! Thank you for the wonderful words and beautiful photos of this four-legged miracle. Many blessings to Paynter and the Zayats and everyone else who has worked so hard for his recovery, and to you for your continued gifts to us here!

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

MyBigRed — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:20:30 GMT

Thank you, Steve for the update on Paynter. He looks so happy and healthy. It is hard to imagine he was fighting for his life, just a few months ago. His owners and everyone who has assisted in his recovery, deserves an award for their devotion to helping Paynter over come his illness. God Bless Them, ALL :)

re: Paynter Continues Road to Recovery

Groupie Doll — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:31:34 GMT

Enjoy your life Paynter!! And, never take any green peppermints ;)

Thank you Steve.