I Think Barbaro Should Be Put Down

[Cannon Shell]

There is no one here that is qualified to pass judgement on the fate of Barbaro. To my knowledge no one here has seen him other than in short video clips, we only know what is being reported newswise. We are not privy to his medical condition except what is released to the press. I seriously doubt and have doubted that this horse would ever be able to breed a mare let alone a book of mares and I dont believe that they are keeping him alive for monetary reasons. Barbaro may or may not make it a week, a month, a year or more but what he has done is allowed the doctors to advance their knowledge in dealing with catastrophic injuries such as his and the resulting problems. His legacy will live not only as a courageous and talented racehorse who showed bravery and determination following his injury but in the veternarian advances that will have come about because of him the horses that may be saved in the future

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

There is no one here that is qualified to pass judgement on the fate of Barbaro. To my knowledge no one here has seen him other than in short video clips, we only know what is being reported newswise. We are not privy to his medical condition except what is released to the press. I seriously doubt and have doubted that this horse would ever be able to breed a mare let alone a book of mares and I dont believe that they are keeping him alive for monetary reasons. Barbaro may or may not make it a week, a month, a year or more but what he has done is allowed the doctors to advance their knowledge in dealing with catastrophic injuries such as his and the resulting problems. His legacy will live not only as a courageous and talented racehorse who showed bravery and determination following his injury but in the veternarian advances that will have come about because of him the horses that may be saved in the future

Wonderful post.

[Seattleallstar]

Im just happy Barbaro isnt reading this. Get well boy! Dr Richardson will lead the way

I must say that this is probably the most civilized discussion of Barbaro's potential fate I have seen-- I'm impressed! It's hard not to get carried away with emotions, no matter which side you're on... no one wants to see this horse suffer, but then again, the horse deserves every fighting chance at a decent life.

I hope Barbaro doesn't have to be euthanized, and as of now I trust that if he hasn't been put down, there is a good reason for it. However, if he does have to be put down, I also understand that there was also a valid reason for doing so. I have never seen the colt in person so I don't feel comfortable saying what should or should not happen to him; like I said, I'm trusting the judgement of those who are around him day in and day out. Each day that I check all the horse racing websites and see that Barbaro is still alive and well, I'm happy.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

There is no one here that is qualified to pass judgement on the fate of Barbaro. To my knowledge no one here has seen him other than in short video clips, we only know what is being reported newswise. We are not privy to his medical condition except what is released to the press. I seriously doubt and have doubted that this horse would ever be able to breed a mare let alone a book of mares and I dont believe that they are keeping him alive for monetary reasons. Barbaro may or may not make it a week, a month, a year or more but what he has done is allowed the doctors to advance their knowledge in dealing with catastrophic injuries such as his and the resulting problems. His legacy will live not only as a courageous and talented racehorse who showed bravery and determination following his injury but in the veternarian advances that will have come about because of him the horses that may be saved in the future

very true cannon. he has made it this far because of advances that have been made because of those that came before him. and those after him will benefit.
maybe someday they will finally find the true key to curing laminits. altho in this case it's due to crushing of the laminae which caused loss of blood flow.

can't help but wonder--could there be a laminae transplant?? anyone know? could you remove healthy tissue from a horse and give to another. it's a thought that came to me last night....anyone?? may sound crazy, but i'd imagine once upon a time a lot of transplants seemed so..

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

There is no one here that is qualified to pass judgement on the fate of Barbaro. To my knowledge no one here has seen him other than in short video clips, we only know what is being reported newswise. We are not privy to his medical condition except what is released to the press. I seriously doubt and have doubted that this horse would ever be able to breed a mare let alone a book of mares and I dont believe that they are keeping him alive for monetary reasons. Barbaro may or may not make it a week, a month, a year or more but what he has done is allowed the doctors to advance their knowledge in dealing with catastrophic injuries such as his and the resulting problems. His legacy will live not only as a courageous and talented racehorse who showed bravery and determination following his injury but in the veternarian advances that will have come about because of him the horses that may be saved in the future

Completely disagree. The idea that a person can't have opinion on this b/c I'm they aren't there giving him a carrot every day or seeing in his stall is ridiculous. Mind you this is 8 months after the initial injury. Quite a bit is known about his day to day condition, the extent of the laminitis he suffered and the never ending surgeries he's had....And the idea that Barbaro has been the perfect guinea pig for advancing knowledge is a piss poor decision to keep a horse bouncing around from one setback to the next until he is put down....At this point, the decision is clear and my guess is they will realize that in the not too distant future.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Completely disagree. The idea that a person can't have opinion on this b/c I'm they aren't there giving him a carrot every day or seeing in his stall is ridiculous. Mind you this is 8 months after the initial injury. Quite a bit is known about his day to day condition, the extent of the laminitis he suffered and the never ending surgeries he's had....And the idea that Barbaro has been the perfect guinea pig for advancing knowledge is a piss poor decision to keep a horse bouncing around from one setback to the next until he is put down....At this point, the decision is clear and my guess is they will realize that in the not too distant future.

I never said that you could not have an opinion just that yours as well as all of us here were not 'qualified' opinions.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I don't think the connections are looking at him as a guinea pig at all. What if, by some miracle he makes a recovery and lives another 5 or so years. Won't it be worth it. In reality, since the lamintis which was in the summer, this is the first setback. Did anyone really think that there would be no setbacks along the road? After each setback are people going to be questioning the connections? They have made it clear from the get go their intentions. I respect your opinion, but honestly who knows better than Dr. Richardson? Don't you think he will do best by the horse?

Dahoss, Cannon's post said the guinea pig part. I sure don't think that anyone else is in it to advance knowledge. And yes, I hope he lives 25 years and has a 10,000 kids. But the truth is that's simply not going to happen.

[King Glorious]

Randall, I'm glad u started this. As someone else mentioned, it took courage to do it. I have been thinking the same thing but never thought to post it because I know how the Barbaro fans are about this horse. I do agree with u totally, especially when u talk about how it's unfair how they are so concerned with him but not the $5k claimer that this happens to. I read about how his owners deserve some special Eclipse awards and all that and it sickens me. They don't deserve anything more special than anyone else that puts their heart and money into it and loses a horse to fatal injury.

[randallscott35]

Back to the sling for the next month. This is the same spot Barbaro was in during July.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Randall, I'm glad u started this. As someone else mentioned, it took courage to do it. I have been thinking the same thing but never thought to post it because I know how the Barbaro fans are about this horse. I do agree with u totally, especially when u talk about how it's unfair how they are so concerned with him but not the $5k claimer that this happens to. I read about how his owners deserve some special Eclipse awards and all that and it sickens me. They don't deserve anything more special than anyone else that puts their heart and money into it and loses a horse to fatal injury.

I appreciate that. I realized that it wasn't the most popular thing to do or say, but so far there are quite a few people in this thread who seem to agree. Which has surprised me.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

I appreciate that. I realized that it wasn't the most popular thing to do or say, but so far there are quite a few people in this thread who seem to agree. Which has surprised me.

Really hesitated about chiming in here...but I will anyways.

I am a huge fan of this horse. When a great many of us were over on ESPN, I was begging for the Jackson's to keep this horse on the grass....thought he had the chance to be an incredibly special turf horse. I told anyone that would listen that he would be your Derby winner.

Call me a baby, but I cried for an hour after the Preakness....my heart had been broken. After he broke down, I was elated that he would be saved and hung on that prospect for an awfully long time. But, as more complications have begun to arise, I just continue to see ZERO quality of life in the near and distant future. Putting him down would be the correct thing to do, IMO.

[randallscott35]

Dahoss that picture is from Bloodhorse right now and the article is up there too. Sensational was Barbaro's Derby.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Come on man, you weren't using the picture to pad your argument? Please, and courage is deciding everyday whether or not to put down YOUR animal which is what the Jackson's have to deal with.

Dahoss,
Very low. I didn't post it for a pat on the back and said as much from the beginning....Weak man.

[Danzig]

here, i did a search.....

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/002414.htm

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

here, i did a search.....

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/002414.htm

Thanks, Danzig! Very interesting.
(GR raises hand)
So, it's added to feed to try to prevent gastro-intestinal disorders? I see now what it does for (and to) humans, but how, specifically, does it benefit/adversely affect the equine?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Randall, I'm glad u started this. As someone else mentioned, it took courage to do it. I have been thinking the same thing but never thought to post it because I know how the Barbaro fans are about this horse. I do agree with u totally, especially when u talk about how it's unfair how they are so concerned with him but not the $5k claimer that this happens to. I read about how his owners deserve some special Eclipse awards and all that and it sickens me. They don't deserve anything more special than anyone else that puts their heart and money into it and loses a horse to fatal injury.

It takes zero courage to offer an opinion on an internet message board.
Comparing the KY derby winner and a 5 claimer seems a bit stupid. And dont give me all that crap about they are all God's creatures. That these people have choosen to try to save the horse surely is not a negative thing.

[prudery]

Cannon Shell's post was an excellent and rational summary of how this situation should be viewed . Anecdotal posts are just that ... As far as Barbaro being in a sling for fear of lying down and not getting up, this is just another fallacy . Mrs Jackson and Dr. Richardson both have reported that the horse lies down and gets up daily . He is not in the sling all day and night . The purpose of the sling is to keep weight on the hind legs balanced and supported as best as possible for obvious reasons. Information from the horse's connections is best read at Tim Wooley's website, or at New Bolton's . It is the most accurate and substantiated .