Barbaro's Final Update
At around 10:30 this morning, after spending a restless night on his feet in his stall at New Bolton Center, 2006 Kentucky Derby Barbaro was euthanized by his surgeon Dr. Dean Richardson.
I was able to participate in a press briefing from Dr. Richardson this afternoon and can share this information:
1. The decision to euthanize Barbaro was not related to a re-fracture of his leg. To take weight off his foundered left hind, Barbaro bore increased weight on the right hind and severely bruised the lateral heel, which lead to an abscess in that heel area.
2. Barbaro did develop laminitis in both front feet.
3. On Sunday night, Barbaro did not lie down. Richardson said the horse is usually quiet at night and lies down to sleep. He did not do that last night and Richardson said it was the first night the horse had been in distress. The horse's distress was in spite of pain medication and the use of the sling. "We couldn't control his pain," Richardson said.
4. On Monday morning, Barbaro was relatively comfortable in his sling and alert. He ate his grass brought to him by his owners. He was given a heavy dose of tranquilizer and then an overdose of anesthesia through a catheter that was already in his neck.
5. "It could not have been more peaceful," Richardson stressed.
In retrospect, Richardson commented, "There were some Eureka! moments. But this is how science works, it's more like a gradual accumulation of expertise. I am sure I made mistakes, or, I should say, I am sure there were things I could have done better. You have to believe that you will get better at your job, otherwise why would you go to work in the morning?"
Referring to the cascade of events leading to the decision to euthanize the horse, Richardson said, "It's like a deck of cards. If one thing starts to go, others follow."
"My only gratification," he said near the end of the conference, "Is that he had eight or nine months of being a happy horse a majority of the time."
The press conference ended about 4:30 this afternoon.
posted by Fran Jurga @ Monday, January 29, 2007
20 comments
20 Comments:
Barbaro's death breaks my heart but it was the right thing to do. I so wish he could have made it!
As all of his fans are, I am heartbroken by Barbaro's death. My only consolation is knowing that the knowledge gained through his treatment may save other horses in the future. Thanks must go to Dr. Richardson and the others at New Bolton who cared for Barbaro and let him into their hearts. After their battle with him to save him, their grief must be great. To them and to Barbaro's owners, I send my condolences.
If ever there was an equine hero...There will be a special place at the end of the Rainbow Bridge reserved for this gallant colt.
Bless him!
My daughter owns a horse & because of that I became a horse person by default. Barbaros will to survive this long will forever be in my memories. He will be greatly missed & yes he definately has a special place on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge just like he has a special place in the hearts of the equine world.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Angel Barbaro's owners and to all those who fell in love with him during this ordeal. Such a great loss is hard to bear. The tears starting falling as soon as I found out you were gone. Run like the wind Barbaro, you are free to feel the rush of air as you gallop through the lush green meadows of the Heavens. My prayers are with you, Angel Barbaro and with those who love you.
My heart goes out to Barbaro--such a young colt. As I cleaned and iodined my horses' feet tonight I told them this one was for Barbaro. What a champion!
I am truly heartbroken over Barbaro's death. Many thanks go out to his owners and all the people who helped him. he was a bright shining star in a world filled with strife. He will not soon be forgotten. May he gallop forever through the green grass of heaven. Rest in peace always.
God speed to Barbaro. Our hearts are broken on earth, but gallop on dear horse as you're welcomed to the Rainbow Bridge. My condolances to the Jacksons, Dr. Richardson and Michael Matz, the trainer who made this diamond sparkle.
The News of Barbaro's fate was oh so sad today. "Race on forever" without pain, you Great and Noble Steed. You gave such a Noble Battle. You will be missed, you were loved by many.
My sincere condolances to the Jacksons, and the caring veterinarians who worked with, and yes, loved him. Mrs Jackson said that grief is the price of love,(and having loved and lost horses know the truth of what she said.)What a brave, dear horse, and what caring people with him. They knew when he could no longer fight this injury, and gave him the release from his pain. Now he can run freely with the other brave horses who have gone on before him.
barbaro's finally at peace....pain free at last...poor guy. what a price he had to pay though.
My sympathy goes to Barbaro's owners. Bless them and all that cared for him, for having the strength and the love to keep him from suffering. Be at peace knowing that everything that was humanly possible was done for the colt. You find a few in a lifetime that will capture your heart and mind. I lost a filly a few years back, but, her memory lives on.
Joyce M Thomas
Okemah, OK
jmtokie@aol.com
My heart goes out to all who loved Barbaro. It is such a loss for all who knew and loved him, but such a victory for this fine young colt. Barbaro will always be an icon in the United States of America and will always be remembered as a hero, not on the turf, but in life for winning a bigger race. He lived and died with style, grace and dignity. Dr. Dean Richardson and the entire team that were with Barbaro through the last several months are also our heroes. This incident with Barbaro does serve a purpose. Perhaps it is to teach us all that much more is gained with love, patience and understanding. May his owners always remember how much Barbaro was loved and how much they will always be loved for their gallant efforts to promote a beautiful life. The Double H Stables, Old Fort, Tn.
Did it really have to take 8 months to make a decision to put the poor horse down? What some do for money.Thank goodness for horse heaven!!!!!
My condolences go out to Barbaro's owners and caretakers. I cried while watching Dr. Richardson talk about the horse he had obviously come to love. My daughter had a paper due today on heroes and we decided to do it on Barbaro. He will forever be a hero to us.
Kim Harris
Austin, TX
Gallant Barbaro, thank God your nightmare is over! God Speed as your spirit soars.
It's with great sadness that we say goodbye to this great animal. The strength and courage he has shown us this last eight months has been wonderful. To the Jacksons and Dr. Richardson, I know you did the very best for Barbaro, even right up until it was time to say goodbye.
HOW SAD FOR ALL OF US WHO LOVED THIS BEAUTIFUL HORSE. AS A HORSE OWNER MYSELF, I CANNOT IMAGINE HAVING TO MAKE THIS DECISION. BARBARA WAS SPECIAL TO ALL OF US AND HE TRULY WILL BE MISSED, NOT JUST FOR THE MONEY HE MADE IN THE PAST, BUT FOR THE WONDERFUL DETERMINATION AND HEART HE SHOWED ALL OF US IN HIS BATTLE TO RECOVER. I SHALL MISS YOU BARBARO.
PEGGY
It is amazing the emotions that the life of one, and the events thereof, can evoke in people...as I read the comments before mine, I see compassion and care, identity and concern, but also alittle ice from some who feel he was sacraficed at the expense of science and wonder; Truly though, as most hores"men" would agree, any of us would have done what we felt was right for and by our equine friend, be they a champion performance horse or a backyard pet...we would have done anything. All should remember the emotion and true raw grit and fervor that his owners and physicians (and all envolved in this) alike put into trying to do what they felt truly was the right thing...no, we never want this as the outcome, but, no, we could not endure the suffering either. At some point, it becomes clear...one option or the other. Courage was shown by this colt, his human "herd" and all who touched his life; as well as all those whose life he touched. My deepest condolences to ALL who are affected by his parting. He shall be waiting high upon the hill, near Fiddlers Greene, nickering his welcome, when, Lord willing, we cross the bridge and 'go home'.
I shed many tears when I learned Barbaro's journey had ended..he was such a fighter..just like a mare I lost a few years ago and very recently a gelding who just started boarding at my place whom we lost to colic. He was not a colt but very young, six and full of personality and life. I didn't know him for very long same as Barbaro..My heart is heavy and my condolences go out the Jackson's and Dr. Richardson and to the others and New Bolton who cared for Barbaro and let him into their hearts.
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