The Barbaro fiasco: Who else is outraged?

Question

Why hasn't this horse been put out of his misery yet? MONEY, that's why. Obviously he will never race again. He's had 80% of one hoof removed, so racing is out of the question. I think it's absolutely sick that Barbaro is being kept alive so that maybe he can make his owners rich with stud fees. All the news reports say "he's not suffering". Are you kidding? He's had laminitis for months, and has 80% of one hoof removed, and he's not suffering? If he really isn't suffering, then he must be on so many painkillers that he's a zombie. Either way, that is NOT an acceptable quality of life for any animal. Who here agrees with me?

Answer 1

the acute phase of laminitis (founder) is acutely painful, but once the acute phase is past, the pain from the inflammation of the laminae passes and the most acute discomfort is over.

I owned a horse that had foundered in one front foot, and we were able to save him and give him acceptable quality of life for the next 7 years. It was a matter of very careful shoeing and vet monitoring, and sometimes the administration of butazolidin or banamine, which are analgesic drugs that act similar to aspirin or Motrin. I have absolutely no doubt that my horse was able to enjoy his life (he was a gelding, and he lived in retirement the last years of his life).

Barbaro's owners are rich, rich, rich, rich, and do not need the money that he would get from standing at stud. They are committed to doing the best they can to assure the horse leads a life that he can enjoy for as long as possible. FWIW, the vets who are treating Barbaro have made no guarantees that he will ever be able to breed mares, so it isn't for the future as a stallion that everyone is trying so hard. It's to try to keep a horse with an unbelievable will to live and heart the size of Montana alive so he can enjoy life, and the moment his owners are assured by the vets that no quality of life is possible, I have no doubt they will give the order to put him down.

The possibility exists that Barbaro, if he can get through this acute attack, will recover sufficiently to lead a quality life even if he can't breed mares. (FWIW, his future as a stallion was a crapshoot even without the injury. He's a son of Dynaformer, who though an excellent sire has not one single son at stud. Racing success doesn't assure breeding success, and there are dozens of Derby winners who went to stud and failed dismally. Barbaro as a sire would be speculative, and there are many leading breeders who would be loath to pay a fee higher than $15,000 for him until they saw how his babies did when they reached the track.)

Nijinsky II, a son of legendary Northern Dancer and himself an English Triple Crown Winner and champion, foundered badly in both front feet as a stallion at Claiborne farm, but was saved and lived years longer, although he required special care and shoeing in his latter years. Other horses have survived founder's acute phase and lived on for years.

It's possible that if he survives, Barbaro will have to have Bute and banamine, like my horse did. That no more makes him a "zombie" than someone having to take Motrin or asprin on a daily basis for arthritis makes them a "zombie."

Barbaro is in good hands, and I believe this magnificent and courageous animal deserves every chance he can get to live, even if that life is as a pensioner who never breeds a mare and can never be ridden. He could lead a life like my horse led in retirement, spending time out in pasture and being petted and fussed with and admired for years to come.

This is not about money. It's about keeping a brave and valiant horse alive to enjoy life, which he should be able to once the acute phase of the laminitis is over.

Answer 2

You obviously know nothing about the saga of Barbaro's recovery. One thing that all who are actually involved - the owners, the surgeon, the jockey, etc. - agree on and that is that the decision to live is Barbaro's. His status is updated once or twice a day and actual information, not uninformed opinion, can be found at that website. Bobby's connections are in complete agreement that he is one very happy horse who is battling a serious problem and battling it with grace, dignity and enthusiasm. And God bless the Jacksons, his owners, who did not decide that once he would no longer be earning more than his keep, he should be die. They've never questioned what it would cost to do what's best for the horse.

Answer 3

As I am not a veterinarian, I can not speak to the issue of any pain the animal may be suffering. If the horse is in pain and the conidtion is terminal, then the animal such be put down. I do believe that the horse captured the public's attention and in such perhaps undue pressure has been placed on cotinuing his life. Money is a consideration as well, thought the animal is insured for over 20 million. Humans struggle with end of life issues, weither it be a race horse or a human being. As a RN for many years, I have seen these issues haunt familes time and again. I strongley suggest that every adult have a living will and a medical power of attorney to carry out your wishes if you are unable to speak. Sadly, in this instance one wonders who is speaking out for this animal.

Answer 4

The only outrageous thing is that uninformed people like you spout off about things they obviously know very little about. If you had bothered to ever keep up on the news, Barbaro is at one of the best hospitals in the country and has made amazing progress. Hopefully he will get over this setback as well as he has all the others. As for the stud fees, he may never be able to breed a mare and his owners are already rich.

Answer 5

I don't understand why there has to be an ulterior motive behind loving that horse and trying everything medicine has to offer to save him.

Human beings are animals too - yet I don't see anyone advocating killing a human being who has to have a body part amputated. Is having to live without part of a foot also an unacceptable quality of life for a human?

I actually couldn't disagree with you more and I've always found the common practice of "putting down" a horse just because it's injured absolutely barbaric.

To me, that is what's unacceptable and more of an indicator of greed. It's infuriating that if a horse gets hurt and can't race anymore, it's routine to simply end its life because its lost all value to the owners.

I think what Barbaro's owners have done for him is absolutely amazing -- and it's definitely not what most horse owners would do. They've given him a chance to live a long, full life - and I'm sure they've spent a small fortune trying to make that happen.

I'd be outraged if they'd done anything less.

ADDED: After seeing the reply below mine, just had to add this as the former owner of a horse farm/riding stables......horses speak to you with their eyes......If Barbaro wanted to go, his owners would know. I don't believe he's in any way ready to go, and he's told them that too.

Answer 6

It is not my money, it is not my horse, it is not my business.

If it was my money and my horse I would try to save him until it seemed outrageous to do so. Which I think is the point they are at.

I think we should remember this horse was insured, sure they will make more from his stud fees, but this horse could have been destroyed and they would have still made some money. so this Cannot be seen as just a money grab

Answer 7

Just depends.......If they think there is a chance that he will live a quality life maybe that's why they are fighting for him. They probably love him and don't want to let him go. That's the feeling I got when I read an article just a bit ago........It didn't sound about money to me.....Its sounds like they genuinely love that horse.. But 80% that's alot of a hoof to lose. Reminds me of the old saying....No Hoof..No Horse.....Its possible for an animal to get by with a damaged appendage. My neighbor has a three legged dog that runs faster on three legs than four legged dogs......And its all about the prognosis....Its when you ask yourself am I doing this just for me? Or for the animal? ....Hopefully it works out for them I know how painful it is to have to put down a animal down. I don't know if you have ever had a horse or not but when I had one as a child she was like a friend to me. Wasn't easy to let her go. So I hope for the owners and that horse that he comes out of this and is out of that hospital and enjoying the good life in a pasture somewhere.

Answer 8

I want to thank everyone for their comments in support of the Champion Racehorse Barbaro!

Let's try to teach our less informed friends some of the facts about this story of a truly great running horse. I will quote from the article published by the Associated Press for an update on his condition then add some facts about his career and connections.

Jan 10, 3:37 PM (ET)

By DAN GELSTON
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) -Barbaro's surgeon is "pulling out all the stops" to help the Kentucky Derby winner after he suffered a significant setback in his recovery from laminitis.
http://sports.excite.com/news/01102007/v5314.html

Please read this article and inform youselves. If you had followed the career of Barbaro and not seen just one or two races you would know how hard he tried and how masterfuly he would win his races.

His campaing was meticuliosly planned by a master horseman and a world champion himself, Olympic gold medal winner Michael Matz.

The Jacksons of Leal Stables have been a mainstay and model for Maryland breeders across their state and they have helped for many years to keep them a top state for high quality horses. Maryland is a premier state producing horses for equine competion in jumping, steeplechase, dressage and polo in addition to racing.

ALL fans of this story need to know that the people who love this horse will not prolong his life if it is not in the best interest of Barbaro.

Here is a quote from the story including the comments of Mrs. Gretchen Jackson.
"It was the first dose of bad news after months of progress that included owners Gretchen and Roy Jackson and surgeon Dean Richardson talking about releasing Barbaro from the hospital as soon as the end of the month.

"It's sad that's he's had a setback because he was marching along toward living outside the hospital," Jackson said. "The only thing we care about is that he's not in pain."

"Things were marching along pretty smoothly until this," Jackson said. "We've been there before with him. He's a horse that wants to live."

There is NO disgrace in loving this fine animal and hoping for his survival.

Murph

Answer 9

I believe animals are much more resilient than humans are,and they have to be for they cannot voice their own opinion about how they feel,and as a result... ignorant and selfish people automatically assume that the situation is fine,when it isnt for the animal.Whos to say its life has to be subjected to running fast to swell rich peoples pockets?Its something,a cow dies viciously for the sake of a cheeseburger,and horses run races in pain to their own expense,but dogs are considered mans best friend...who decides the animals fate,or this designated role? Its unfair,and unreasonable,but when it comes to mankind it doesnt surprise me.As an animal activist,i am outraged.You're not alone.

Answer 10

If one of your family members broke her leg would you just put her down or try to save her life??????

and why do you think it is your business to tell someone how to care for their horse?

also to those who hate raceing the horses like barbaro who make it to the big league have raceing in their heart they want to be out there . the horses that dont want to are retired and usually made into riding horses.