Phar Lap's Heart
Remembering a champion racehorse. (200 words)7 total reviews
Comment from Rosemary Everson1
Perhaps a horse's heart that weighs 14 pounds would be classified as an enlarged heart? Horse racing is a great sport to watch...in fact, it is very exciting when the best horse wins and does not get hurt.
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2022
Perhaps a horse's heart that weighs 14 pounds would be classified as an enlarged heart? Horse racing is a great sport to watch...in fact, it is very exciting when the best horse wins and does not get hurt.
Comment Written 07-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2022
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It certainly was an enlarged heart - double the normal size.
I always worry that a horse will stumble and jockey and horse will be injured.
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Excellent entry for the 200 Word Story writing prompt contest. It has a clear beginning, middle, and an end.
I don't understand why Phar Lap's heart was preserved in the museum. Weird.
Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2022
Excellent entry for the 200 Word Story writing prompt contest. It has a clear beginning, middle, and an end.
I don't understand why Phar Lap's heart was preserved in the museum. Weird.
Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 07-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2022
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His heart was probably preserved because when they did an autopsy on him to find out cause of death they discovered what a huge heart he had - more than twice the normal size - and that would have been considered of medical/scientific interest.
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Oh, okay that makes sense. I would put that in your author notes.
Comment from Mary Vigasin
We had Seabiscuit and Australia had Phar Lap two magnificent horses.
Good telling of this tale about the horse. Strange but fascinating that the heart is one display.
Best wishes
Mary
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2022
We had Seabiscuit and Australia had Phar Lap two magnificent horses.
Good telling of this tale about the horse. Strange but fascinating that the heart is one display.
Best wishes
Mary
Comment Written 07-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 08-Apr-2022
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His heart is probably on display as a curiosity because they did an autopsy to find out why he died so unexpectedly and they discovered how huge it was.
Comment from Wendy G
Thanks for this post about Phar Lap's heart. It was interesting and informative. Somehow I am not getting notifications about your posts at times. Do you know where I can check why?
Wendy
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2022
Thanks for this post about Phar Lap's heart. It was interesting and informative. Somehow I am not getting notifications about your posts at times. Do you know where I can check why?
Wendy
Comment Written 07-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 07-Apr-2022
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I noticed in the newspaper the other day that it was the anniversary of the day Phar Lap died, which is what prompted me to write about him. I was feeling upset about more gun violence in America and when I saw he was poisoned in America I thought: "I'm surprised he wasn't shot, rather than poisoned."
You may find that you won't be getting notifications to various stories and poems if they are blind entries to contests. It will be the same for other writers you are fans of as well.
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Oh yes of course, they would have been blind. I was surprised to not see any posts from you so I went to your portfolio.
Yes, the level of hatred, vitriol, and gun violence is shocking. I would never feel safe there. Many are shocked at my stories of Saudi but if one respected the cultural norms one felt very safe there.
Comment from humpwhistle
I see that you're trying to construct a personal connection to the legendary horse, but it seems rather tenuous to me. I can't quite the 'story' in this entry. It reads more like a, historical article. Naturally, that's just my opinion.
Best of luck at the polls.
Peace, Lee
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2022
I see that you're trying to construct a personal connection to the legendary horse, but it seems rather tenuous to me. I can't quite the 'story' in this entry. It reads more like a, historical article. Naturally, that's just my opinion.
Best of luck at the polls.
Peace, Lee
Comment Written 06-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2022
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Yep, rather tenuous connection but it was the anniversary of the horse's death and it was a strong childhood memory for me seeing his massive heart pickled in a jar.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
What an interesting story, and you've said everything you needed to say in 200 words. There are probably few people around who were alive during his successes, so I imagine the heart itself brings people into the museum, where the story can then be revealed.
Very nicely written.
What an interesting story, and you've said everything you needed to say in 200 words. There are probably few people around who were alive during his successes, so I imagine the heart itself brings people into the museum, where the story can then be revealed.
Very nicely written.
Comment Written 06-Apr-2022
Comment from oliver818
I remember seeing the skeleton, it's in Te Papa I think. Great write here, he really was a legend and I'm like you, I don't like horse racing it i heard so much about him it feels like I knew him. Thanks for sharing this
I remember seeing the skeleton, it's in Te Papa I think. Great write here, he really was a legend and I'm like you, I don't like horse racing it i heard so much about him it feels like I knew him. Thanks for sharing this
Comment Written 06-Apr-2022