Barbaro: Do you think it was the right choice?

Question

Do you think it was the right choice for the owners of Barbaro to "take barbaro out of his pain"?
For anyone who doesnt know who this is...go research it on google.com

Answer 1

Yes I do. If you have ever watched a horse go through laminitis, or bad abscesses you know how horribly painful it can be for them. Since he was already in a compromised orthopedic state, he was never going to truly heal from those injuries. The original surgically repaired fracture was not what was going to end his life, and the owners and vets said that from the beginning. Horses need to not only bear weight evenly throughout their four limbs, but they need to move on their limbs to keep the blood flowing properly through their sensitive hoof structures. It is amazing that they were able to keep him stable and comfortable as long as they did. As an owner of horses, I would have made the same decision, possibly sooner in his care, but not later. Thoroughbreds were bred to run and be in pastures, not in slings in barns. His life was not going to be that of a true TB and as such the best decision for his future well being was made, in my opinion.

Answer 2

First of all I would like to state that I was verry sorry to hear of Barbaros passing
I have been a warm up rider and gallopping racehorses for a long time. That doesn't make me an expert I know....
I do commend his owners for not euthaniazing right away, I think their intentions wer pure by just keeping him alive ...in the Thoroughbred racing comunity you can not artificially inseminate a mare for the most part , so chanes were , he was never going to be able to be a stallion/stud for them, so they really did all this because they wanted to preserve his life,
He developed laminaitis which is a very painful condition brought on by the other extremeties having to bear extra weight , there really is no known cure for it...
As to some of the other threads I understand and believe that horses are flight animals and they love to run.. just wish trainers and owners would give thes young Racehorses another year or so before thy make them compete.

Answer 3

I believe it definitely was the right thing to do. This horse was suffering with pain and mobility problems. It had undergone several surgeries trying to heal the major break in its leg. The healing did not take place and it continued to deteriorate.

The only reason they tried so hard to get him to stand on his own again was to be able to use his sperm. They would have made a TON of money using Barbaro as a stud. WRONG reason to make this animal suffer since last year.

Barbaro is in a better place now.

If Barbaro had been a gelding the horse would have been euthanized immediately. That pretty much tells you that keeping him alive as long as they did was done purely out of greed.

Answer 4

I support the owners decision to try and 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 3 thin legs... well it's just not something that can be done long term.

Answer 5

Barbaro taught everyone a valuable lesson about courage and grace under pressure and pain. He was a valiant winner in my book. He was a joy to watch running.
I was glad that his owners tried for so long to save him. A lot of owners would have saved the money and pain, and put him down a long time ago. Hopefully, they were able to get some sperm from him.
Valuable research and innovations were tried that may help another horse-or human-one day.
It is always sad to have to put any animal out of its misery, but I believe it is the humane, decent, loving thing to do.
I wish we treated humans as well.

Answer 6

I agree it was the right choice. Horses, like deer, are very fragile creatures although it may not seem like it to us because they are bigger and stronger.

However, look at where all that power is centered. In their bodies. The legs are far too delicate to tolerate many injuries.

If you look on the news you can see how he limped and how it hurt. Many horses can weigh well over a thousand pounds. Thoroughbreds probably well into the upper hundreds. Put that on those delicate quick legs. Horses also can't lay down for extended periods of time because of the weight.

I agree it was the most humane thing to do.

Answer 7

Yes, Barbaro couldn't have lived a normal comfortable life. His health was declining. It was sad, but the right thing to do.

Answer 8

Based on the interviews on the news, particularly by the veterinarian, Barbaro told them he was ready to end the long months of struggle to survive. There is a look in a horse's eye and a change in his behavior that his caretaker's know intimately after the minute-to-minute care Barbaro received. Few horses are given the opportunity to receive the best that veterinary medicine has to offer for such a dire injury and long and expensive course of events. Laminitis is one of the most painful and, often, relentless, of all diseases in the horse. When the pain can no longer be relieved, the owner(s) and veterinarians have to make a heart-wrenching decision. Barbaro struggled to survive for all of these months. It was only fair to listen to him, when he was ready to be in peace. All we can do is offer our support to his owners, trainer, and caretakers for their commitment to this great horse. It takes courage to make the decision to euthanize a beloved animal. But when the animal tells you he/she is ready, it is the only fair choice for them.

The following poem by an unknown author describes this animal-lover's belief about the loss of a special being in their life:

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...."

Farewell, Barbaro! You fought the galant fight. In the end, you may have won! All of your fans and admirers have certainly lost.

Answer 9

I think that it was. I think that it is meaner to let the animal suffer than to put it to sleep. Horses have a lot of trouble healing from leg injuries, especially when there are complications with the other legs.

Answer 10

On the news this morning it said he was a strong horse and a fighter. I think I would have given it a few days to see how progress was going