Barbaro is euthanized

[KFDM COOP]

Barbaro is euthanized

 

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized Monday after complications from his breakdown at the Preakness last May.

"We just reached a point where it was going to be difficult for him to go on without pain," co-owner Roy Jackson said. "It was the right decision, it was the right thing to do. We said all along if there was a situation where it would become more difficult for him then it would be time."

Roy and Gretchen Jackson were with Barbaro on Monday morning, with the owners making the decision in consultation with chief surgeon Dean Richardson.

It was a series of complications, including laminitis in the left rear hoof and a recent abscess in the right rear hoof, that proved to be too much for the gallant colt, whose breakdown brought an outpouring of support across the country.

"I would say thank you for everything, and all your thoughts and prayers over the last eight months or so," Jackson said to Barbaro's fans.

On May 20, Barbaro was rushed to the New Bolton Center, about 30 miles southwest of Philadelphia in Kennett Square, hours after shattering his right hind leg just a few strides into the Preakness Stakes. The bay colt underwent a five-hour operation that fused two joints, recovering from an injury most horses never survive. Barbaro lived for eight more months, though he never again walked with a normal gait.

The Kentucky Derby winner suffered a significant setback over the weekend, and surgery was required to insert two steel pins in a bone - one of three shattered eight months ago in the Preakness but now healthy - to eliminate all weight bearing on the ailing right rear foot.

The procedure on Saturday was a risky one, because it transfered more weight to the leg while the foot rests on the ground bearing no weight.

The leg was on the mend until the abscess began causing discomfort last week. Until then, the major concern was Barbaro's left rear leg, which developed laminitis in July, and 80 percent of the hoof was removed.

Richardson said Monday morning that Barbaro did not have a good night.

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[Guest Diva]

I agree that it is sad that this horse didn't make it.  But for crying out loud, ABC lead off their World News Tonight broadcast this evening with this story.  You should have heard the reporter...

"The veterinarian was asked what final words he said to Barbero..."

"Barbero was fed a final meal of grass..."

LOL...c'mon folks....it's a horse! :

[adminbaberuth]

I read this today, I couldn't find it anywhere in the MSM. Usually, they destroy a horse after an injury this severe, at least they waited awhile.

When Barbaro broke down during the Preakness Stakes, his owners held insurance to cover them in the event of a catastrophic injury to the horse, which was likely worth at least $25 million to $30 million - and more if he had won. By Jeff Barker and Bill Ordine

[Gabe]

I agree I dont like how they say things about horses these days like "he is a great athlete" or "he was happy to win the kentucky derby"

The horse doesnt know, he is running cause someone is whipping the snot out of him!

I did however start pulling for him to recover.

[Morgan]

barbaro will be missed......just as it was starting to get better, it gets euthanized