Does this image help you understand what I’m about to tell you? This week at work we received a truckload of shredded nike sneakers. They came on pallets which we carried into a riding ring for thoroughbred horses. The sneaker material, soles and all, was then spread with a hay fork across the top layer of sand. It is supposed to cushion the horses feet as they run. I suppose since they can’t wear sneakers themselves, it is the next best thing.
It was raining the day they arrived, and the truck, a 14 wheeler, got stuck in the mud backing out of the long dirt driveway. Rus pushed the guy out with his tractor. I couldn’t get a picture of that because I was throwing base-rock under the spinning wheels.
It didn’t feel right throwing all this plastic and synthetic material into the ground. But if I was getting paid to install astro-turf, I don’t know if I would feel bad. Probably.
here’s some sneaker recycling info from nike.
I wonder how many starving Africans these could have fed.
I wonder how many bloody Sudanese these could have bandaged.
I wonder how many kids in Bayshore would have killed for a pair.
I think i’ll leave the poetry up to you, Mr. Rolston.
Comment by Johno — January 31, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Who says horses can’t wear sneakers?!?!? Stop spreading lies!
http://www.guidehorse.org/horse_sneakers.htm
Comment by Lyle_s — January 31, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
That is so bizarre. First, when did horses get that small? And when did it become okay to let blind people dress up horses in high heels? Bizarre.
Thanks for the link!
Comment by jon — February 4, 2007 @ 3:27 am