Barbaro - the inevitable?

On May 20, 2006 I fully expected to hear that Barbaro had been euthanized. At the time I felt very similarly to you. I've been around enough racehorses to know the gravity of the injury he sustained and the possible outcomes.

But there were some positives aspects to Barbaro's breakdown - it occurred so early in the race that he was not exhausted and his blood oxygen levels were relatively normal; the bones did not puncture the skin and expose the injury to contamination; the 'public stage' led to the State Police of both Maryland and Pennsylvania to offer his ambulance an escort (at a point where time was of the essence); and one of the leading equine trauma centers in the country saying 'yes come and we will help'.

In those precious minutes the Jackson's made their choice could anyone truly say they wouldn't consider trying? I can't say I wouldn't have made the same choice. And even though the ultimate outcome wasn't good it was less than a month ago that they were discussing sending him to a farm to finish his rehab. It's amazing how close they came, and who knows how much was learned by treating him? Certainly similar hind-leg injuries like Nureyev, Personal Ensign and Dancinginmydreams (among countless others) all contributed to the knowledge of care that was brought to Barbaro. And the possibility he showed may lead to the next breakthrough that saves other horses.

I believe the owners did what they thought was best in the beginning. Whether it was an emotional attachment to the horse or knowing they could make money if he became well enough to stud.

I also believe that had it been just about any other horse he would have been put down immediately at the track. Each horse is different and perhaps the owners knew something the general public didnt. Its hard to pass judgement sitting on the outside and not having all of the facts. You could see his strength over the last 8 months, how hard he fought to get better. And he did get better, then something else would happen.

I am saddened at the outcome but I do not believe the owners were wrong for trying. If it had worked it would have been 8 months of pain on the road to recovery but a lifetime to live and thrive. Bless Barbaro.

Yes it may have been inevitable, however I have known horses that had laminities in more than one foot and still survived, and also horses that had broken ankles that healed and were useable if only as babysitter for foals, so there was always the chance that it might have worked and is worth the effort. I have a mare that was lame all last winter with fever lines growning out, but i never considered puting her down because i knew it would grow out , but it does take a year. She is fine now.

I send my heart felt condolences to everyone that prayed for Barbaro and hung in there to the end. A lot of good came from this event, tho with a sad ending. Look how many friends were made and money raised for the betterment of all horses. This was a truely amazing time for everyone, I think. God Bless All involved and in Memory Of Barbaro.

People...just keep in mind that they were discussing his release from New Bolton a couple of weeks before he died. They almost pulled it off....for that reason, this could never be considered a waste. Besides, his pain was kept in check. The major pain came at the end when everything started to fail. It all comes down to this: if you had a bad accident and the doctors said your recovery was "a coin toss", as they did with Barbaro. Would you want them to pull the plug right away, or keep you comfortable and give it there best shot to save you and bring you back to your family. If he had been in constant pain, he never would have survived those months. This easily proves that he was kept comfortable by what ever means was necessary. The almost made it....surely this was not a waste of time. Almost everyone thought he would be released....no one expected any futher complications, otherwise they would not have discussed a release. The last few months of his life we pleasant. He even went outside each day....all with no medications. The pain was at the end....that is why he was allowed to pass away. It was just bad luck at the end there....if you look at all the video footage, he looks great. Bright, happy and enjoyable. If he were in pain or drugged, any horse owner knows this would show. I have a gelding and I can tell the minute something is not right with him. Barbaro almost had his second chance at life....let's just remember him for those times, not the last couple of days. He is at Peace. Let's support his owners and hope that he is happy. God bless you.

A horse with lesser ability would have been put down sooner, possibly immediately. Unfortunately, the original veterinarians' diagnoses were correct; less that a 50/50 chance of recovery for this type of injury. This was a judjement call. If he were put down immediately, the owners would have been criticized for not trying to save him. As has already been mentioned, their decisions were

based on economics and ,I'd like to believe, humanity. Horseracing at this level is a multimillion dollar enterprise, and the loss of stud fees can mean major economic losses. All these factors have to be considered.

I'm sure that these fatal injuries occur frequently at lesser tracks, with lower class stock, with little notoriety.

No doubt this is a tragedy, but honestly, I feel even worse when I

hear of a jocky or harness driver getting seriously injured or dying in a race.

I totally agree.He should have been euthanized right away instead of having to suffer.Even if he managed to heal he would never have been able to have a normal gait anymore.What was the point???Barbaro would not have liked not being able to run properly.no horse would.There wasn't much of a chance of a miracle either.

I completely agree, horses are put down everyday at tracks around the world for less. This is a case of money money money.

A moot point now that he is dead, but, yes, he should have been euthanized right away. The decision was more economics than humane.