Barbaro...?

Question

Did you all read or hear that Barbaro was finally euthanized today. It was sad but I think it was the best thing for him. What do you all think?

Barabaro was the race horse who won the Kentucky Derby this last year and was injured in the Preakness. They have done extensive surgery on his foot to try and heal him but he keeps having problems. They finally decided to put him to sleep today.

Answer 1

A lot of people say that Barbaro should have been "let go" a long time ago, but I think that Barbaro wanted very much to live he proved it everyday by overcoming so many obstacles that would have shattered the spirit of a lesser horse. Everyday the reports came of how the mighty Barbaro stood strong in his courageous and valiant fight for life, they say he looked forward to being with his handlers and being outside in the fresh air, they said he was gentle and cooperative thru the many rehabilitative processes, but sadly in the end after this last setback Barbaro had shown signs of beginning to suffer, and so as not to steal his dignity his owners gently euthanized him. I wish Barbaro endless green pastures and open fields in which to run, his magnificent mane flying in the wind and sunshine to warm his glorious face thru eternity. Barbaro was a true champion, one of the greatest of all true athletes, Barbaro worked hard everyday to live on, a shining example of determination and courage. Barbaro was a firece competitor, champion and a true hero. Mighty Barbaro ..thank you for the thrills and lessons in faith you gave us. your life on Earth was short, but you are truly the stuff of Legends and belong now to the ages. Godspeed Barbaro, we will miss you.

Answer 2

I had heard that he was fully recovered on the news.

The only announcement of it I could find is on Wikipedia.
The Penn Veterinary Medicine (Where Barbaro is recieving his medical treatment) site has made no announcement of it so there is the chance it just a rumour.

Unlike most I support the owners decision to try ans save Barbaro's life. I feel that as long as an animal can accept the treatment to help save it's life then it should be allowed to recieve the treatent.
That said, I do also support their decision to have Barbaro put down. It has be many months since his innitial injury and there has been set back after set back and I feel that he never would have fullied healed and when you carry 2000+ lbs on 4 thin legs... well it's just not something that can be done long term.

Answer 3

I have been checking the web site of the vet hospital where he was cared for almost daily...
I have been a horse lover and owner all my life. I've also worked as a vet assistant.
Everything that has happened with the care and now this decision were in my opinion absolutely right. The owners loved this horse. They gave him every possible chance at life as long as the horse was not in great pain. They spent far more money on this horse than he could ever have earned back in stud fees...
In the last few days, he developed a deep absess in the foot of the leg that was broken. They did a risky surgery yesterday to try to help this. The big problem was that both his hind legs had major problems after he foundered on his "good" rear leg and almost all of his hoof on that leg had to be removed.
Overnight, Barbaro started to be in pain and there was no way to not have him be in pain. This was the deciding factor in putting him down. I wish every owner of every animal were like the owners of this horse.
All that said, I am sitting here crying my eyes out....
We will miss you Barbaro.

Answer 4

According to dr richardson, laminitis had set in his front legs, which didn't leave him a good leg to stand on, Barbaro wouldn't have continued to live without pain so they decided it was time to stop the treatment, Barbaro's eyes were darker this morning and dr richardson, and gretchen jackson felt it was time to let him go.

Answer 5

Poor Barbaro. I think it is the best thing for him, too. Any animal should be put to sleep if they are suffering and do not have a good quality of life. It is sad, but I agree, it was the best thing to do.

Answer 6

It's a horrible thing that has taken place. I was really pulling for him to 'recover' from this. But.... with horses, once an injury like 'that' happens.. there is little 'else' that can be done....such is the life of a horse. Sad as it may be. :( I was really hoping that he would heal enough, to at least be 'happy' somewhere, not 'needing' to be a race horse again. But i guess even 'that' wasn't possible.

..........Hats off to "Barbaro"............

Answer 7

I think it's a good thing they put him down. It's never an easy decision, but let's face it, he was never gonna be able to race again, or even be a normal horse, he could barely walk. They did the kindest thing they could. I wish him peace and quiet. Farwell Barbaro

Answer 8

In response to thirty two, his leg was more than broken, it was shattered. Common sense says that would be very difficult to heal & repair. AS stated he had many set backs. I commend them for giving him the absolute best care & not wanting to put him down right after it happened but he deserves some dignity, as all living creatures & people do. Too many people let pets suffer for all the wrong reasons & I'm sure this decision was not easy for the owners or caretakers.

Answer 9

I did here that. I think that it is very tragic. He was a great race horse and obviously meant a lot to the family and people around the US because so much money was given to help heal him. it's a shame he was euthanized but in a way it's good to. He was finally put out of his pain.

Answer 10

They did everything they could, and many horses would be put down months ago, but they didn't want to cause him pain. I think they did the right thing, because if it was only going to get worse, he didn't deserve the pain. And honestly, he was lucky to have made it this far. I'm proud of his owners for trying their hardest.