| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| ponyexpress |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 10:30:57 AM
I am just heartsick that Barbaro had to be euthanized this morning. I have been following his progress since his terrible breakdown on the racetrack and thought he might be the one to beat the odds.
This is the reason I don't watch the horse races - mint juleps or not! My heart can't take it!
I'm heading south for the winter. Some parts of my body already have a head start! |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| primjillie |
Posted - Feb 02 2007 : 07:22:11 AM
Thank you, Mary Ann, for telling us that. I didn't like hearing and didn't want to believe the speculation about the money. I always wanted a horse as a child and still have a special fondness for them. He seemed like a very special animal. |
| ponyexpress |
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 7:14:22 PM
There was a very touching editorial in the St. Louis Post Dispatch today about Barbaro and why he touched so many hearts. In summary, she said that everyone likely has had a "Barbaro" in their life...a treasured animal companion - dog, cat, horse, whatever - that gave more in the way of love, acceptance, companionship than they ever asked for in return. An animal that you would move heaven and earth to help live a comfortable, joyful life or ease them into the next world with peace and grace. I've owned two such animals, a dog and a horse, and I was with both of them when they died. My heart aches for the owners. I just can't believe that their motives were anything but honest in providing for their horse.
I'm heading south for the winter. Some parts of my body already have a head start! |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - Feb 01 2007 : 6:17:31 PM
The payouts for their major medical insurance had long been exhausted and the cost of care at one of the world's best hospitals (New Bolton) was being borne by the owners. It wasn't about money at all. They loved him and wanted him to have a chance to live even if he never covered a mare. Remember these are TB race horses, and Jockey Club rules forbid frozen semen or transporting semen from the farm; the entire ejaculate goes directly to one mare, and she must be on the same premises as the stallion. And with two hind legs that were trashed, it was questionable as to whether or not he'd ever be able to service a mare.
His death had nothing to do with the original catastrophic injury. That had completely resolved. His death was due to acute laminitis in the front feet; he'd already had the left hind resectioned due to laminitis. He could take no more.
He was a fighter, and his owners wanted to give him every chance to fight, and they spared no expense to do so. Too bad he didn't win. |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Jan 30 2007 : 11:10:26 AM
I have had issues with that from the beginning. I watched a clip about him on TV last night and they showed him "walking" around and he just kept stumbling and falling. I broke down in tears. The sad thing is that animals have no way to express their pain so we really have NO idea! I love my horses but if anything like that happened I would take initial measures to help them but if nothing seemed to help I wouldn't hesitate to put them down.
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| katiedid |
Posted - Jan 30 2007 : 08:51:06 AM
I second you on that one...It is so sad to see a creature suffer, for nothing more than money!!
What a world we live in!
my new blog http/www.theknifemakerswife.wordpress.com |
| GaiasRose |
Posted - Jan 30 2007 : 07:43:03 AM
Julie,
Rob was super mad that they kept him alive instead of putting him down. HE detests when all people care about is money. The owners didn't care about the animal, they cared about him studding, and that is sad.
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Tasha-Rose
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| whispering pines |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 9:04:25 PM
I was also saddened by Barbaros long struggle ending in such a way.It is so sad anytime an animal has to be put down. The only good to this is that he will not suffer anymore. I saw the x-ray of the broken leg after the surgery and he must have been in pain. I hope there is a resting place for all animals and that Barbaro is no longer suffering. Horses are such beautiful animals...........truly a special gift from God.
"Greetings from the Gateway to the North Cascades." |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 1:39:53 PM
I agree with you Julie. I saw him walking yesterday before he injured himself again and the whole lower leg and hoof looked awful so I am glad he was a fighter but know now he probably is happier. MB
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"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 12:10:06 PM
Too be honest I am kind of glad that he no longer suffers. I hate that he had to be put down but they have put that horse through so many surgeries and so much pain. The only reason they were so concerned with keeping the animal alive was because of the amount of money that could be made in stud fees! I am sure many genuinly cared for him but I honestly question the real motive for carrying on this long! It has been nearly a YEAR! I agree with some of the above comments - lets hopw something was learned to keep these animals safer!
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www.willowtreecreek.com |
| Annab |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 11:50:11 AM
I'm really not into horse racing, but do follow the good stories when they happen.
That's too bad There's lots to be said for the animal (and people's) fighting spirit |
| Tracey |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 11:25:34 AM
I heard that this morning as well. With any luck, they'll be able to take some of what they've learned from his surgery and be able to apply it to other horses, though, so that it was not all in vain.
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| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 11:19:08 AM
I was saddened by this, too, but honestly, I was really amazed that he'd made it this far. It's such a tough thing to beat.
I know all too well the suffering race horses endure--my father was a jockey and I breezed racehorses every summer for my summer job. Been on the backside of a racetrack my whole life, and I've seen both good and bad owners. Though I do find fault in the way racehorses are treated (with the obvious exception of high purse horses), I also find that some racetracks are attempting to provide better track surfaces to save both horses and riders (I've seen enough of those tragedies, too). Turfway Park, here in Florence, installed a Polytrac surface last year and has seen vast improvements--far less injury to horses and riders. Hopefully others will take note. (more info on Polytrac, here) http://www.polytrack.com/racingmenu.html
One thing I will say is this: the field in which Barbaro ran was WAY too large. 12 horses is more than enough--any more than that is simply too dangerous.
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Jan 29 2007 : 10:38:49 AM
I know, Sandy. I used to go to the racetrack a lot when I was younger. A close friend of my dad has a few racehorses. But at some point, I just stopped being able to watch not just the accidents, but the fact that there wasn't any kind of standard for treatment of the horses(and especially the ones considered in the 'cheaper' classes.) I'm not sure that there are standards even now for the horses in smaller purse races. I've lived close to Churchill Downs my entire life and I've seen enough.
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
