Barabaro Euthanized

[OrigamiTulip]

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was put down today after complications from his gruesome breakdown at last year's Preakness, ending an eight-month ordeal that prompted an outpouring of support across the country. "We just reached a point where it was going to be difficult for him to go on without pain," co-owner Roy Jackson said


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[DeltAlum]

Probably the right decision, but a real shame.

[Phasad1913]

I had just started a thread about this in Chit Chat. I was so sad when I heard about this. I not ashamed to say that I cried a little. I am on my way to go hug my horse today. My condolences to the owners, although I am sure they are comforted by the fact that he will not suffer any longer. This is why I am trying really hard not to get too attached to my horse because you never know when an illness or a freak accident or injury will force you to have to put them down.

RIP Barbaro!!

[AOIIalum]

My heart aches for the personnel who worked so hard to save Barbaro and for the Jacksons who exhausted every possible option to give Barbaro a good life. Most owners just don't have the resources available to afford such treatment, but more power to them for making the decisions they did.

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2006/de..._01292007.html

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...RTS08/70129023

[blueangel]

The Barbaro story is so sad and so tragic. Horse racing must be abolished. It's a cruel "sport". How many know the "real" story behind horse racing?

These horses are doped up to mask their injuries. Since they can't feel pain when they're racing, their bones can shatter.

They're whipped.. Animal Aid found that sometimes they're whipped as many as 30 times during a race.

They're bred for speed-- but there in lies the problem. They have legs that are too thin and fragile for the body. At the high speeds they run, they are just accidents, lie Barbaro, waiting to happen.

Do you know what happens to race horses that no longer win? Many are sold for slaughter for dog and cat food.

Here are some interesting articles:
http://www.chai-online.org/en/campai...ng_experts.htm

http://www.chai-online.org/en/compas...ent_racing.htm

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node...&lastnode_id=0

Before heading to the track... please do some reading.

[Drolefille]

And the "Giving ad nauseam a whole new meaning" award goes to....


oh sorry, back to Heroes...

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by blueangel

The Barbaro story is so sad and so tragic. Horse racing must be abolished. It's a cruel "sport". How many know the "real" story behind horse racing?

These horses are doped up to mask their injuries. Since they can't feel pain when they're racing, their bones can shatter.

They're whipped.. Animal Aid found that sometimes they're whipped as many as 30 times during a race.

They're bred for speed-- but there in lies the problem. They have legs that are too thin and fragile for the body. At the high speeds they run, they are just accidents, lie Barbaro, waiting to happen.

Do you know what happens to race horses that no longer win? Many are sold for slaughter for dog and cat food.

Here are some interesting articles:
http://www.chai-online.org/en/campai...ng_experts.htm

http://www.chai-online.org/en/compas...ent_racing.htm

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node...&lastnode_id=0

Before heading to the track... please do some reading.

Concern for Helping Animals in Israel? Are you serious?

I'm not going to go on a big spiel because it is off topic......but I have a cousin in Colorado who has raised thoroughbreds, raced them, and is also a national champion equestrian rider........she is a huge animal freak and she would strongly disagree with about 98% of what you posted, especially about racing and riding injured horses. Her mom, my aunt, is also one of the top vets in the Denver/Evergreen area and would have issues with alot of that as well.

[AOIIalum]

Originally Posted by blueangel

The Barbaro story is so sad and so tragic. Horse racing must be abolished. It's a cruel "sport". How many know the "real" story behind horse racing?

Well, I grew up on a small horse farm in Kentucky. I don't recall ever doping up horses or racing them injured.

Injuries happen in all sports, not just horse racing. Unfortunately Barbaro's story garnered much attention due to the horrific way he went down and the extraordinary efforts extended to nurse him back to health. It's incredible that Barbaro responded to his treatments as well and as long as he did. It's a credit to those who were committed to ensure Barbaro with a good quality of life while in recovery, and to his owners who were financially able to make the decision on how to spend their money.

Yes, there are more thoroughbreds who go to slaughter than I might personally like, and if you want a truly tragic story we can look at Ferdinand for starters. There are some wonderful people out there like the folks at The Exceller Fund and International Fund for Horses who are working to minimize this practice.

Barbaro will be buried in a manner befitting a Kentucky Derby Champion. It's a shame, because I really thought he was going to make it.