KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized Monday morning 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."
Derby winner Barbaro
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.
Sad news, indeed. My heart just sank as I read the news alert. Was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but if the horse was truly suffering, then I hope it was in his absolute best interest. A very hard decision to have to make.
What a sad sad day!! Run free, Barbaro, run free!!
why could they put him down!!!? i know he was in pain but he was getting better! and them got worse again..barbaro i will always love you you were my favorite racer and stallion
In Memory of Barbaro!!!! WE ARE ALL GOING TO MISS YOU!!!!! :(
In Memory of Barbaro!!!! WE ARE ALL GOING TO MISS YOU Barbaro!!!!! :(
I was so sad when I heard the news yesterday. May God give comfort to the owners, caregivers and the entire nation that showed so much love for Barbaro. It shows that there is love. compassion & caring from people in this world we live in today where all we seem to hear about is the bad things. The owners and the veterian staff is to be commended for the efforts to give Barbaro the chance to live a happy life. Barbaro is in a better place running free thru the green pastures!
I pray for comfort for the Jacksons, the vet team who worked so diligently to help Barbaro, and also comfort to his fans. What a hard decision to make. Laminitis is very painful for horses, so to have that in the left foot and an abscess in the right, he was in pain. As much as I hate to see an animal put down, there is comfort in knowing that Barbaro is no longer in pain and he's running like the wind over the Rainbow Bridge. What a joy it was to watch you Barbaro, look for my 2 wonderful horse babies who crossed over before you, Big John and Toby!
I FEEL THE HORSE COULD HAVE GOTTEN BETTER JUST LIKE WHEN A HUMAN BREAKS A LEG , WE SIT UP TILL THE LEG HEALS. I FEEL SOMEHOW WITH ALL THE MONEY THEY MADE OFF THIS HORSE SURELY THEY COULD HAVE ACCOMEDATED HIM SO THAT HE CAN HEAL PROPERLY. I FEEL THEY PROBABLY WERE TRYING TO PUSH THE HEALING PROCESS AND HURT HIM MORE THAN HELP HIM .A HORSE HAS FEELINGS TO.JUST BECAUSE THE HORSE WAS NO LONGER A MONEY MAKER THEY PUT HIM TO SLEEP WITH NO REGARDS TO ANIMAL LIFE. DO WE EUTHANIZED HUMANS WHEN THEY NO LONGER HAVE LEGS TO WALK WITH OR ARMS? NO WE DON'T!!! YOU DON'T JUST MAKE DECISIONS TO PUT AN ANIMAL TO SLEEP ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ANIMAL CAN'T COMMUNICATE TO YOU TO LET YOU KNOW," HEY WAIT I DON'T WANT TO DIE JUST YET".
Alecia,
If you have ever had a horse, you would know that they do NOT do well on 3 legs as dogs/cats/other animals do - they can't survive in that condition! It compromises their whole system - digestive, respiratory, circulation, and they slowly die (have you ever seen a 3-legged horse? - think about it!). The odds against this horse's recovery and living a normal life were never great and his owners spent a lot of time/money gambling and hoping that he would, God bless them. The racing industry uses up young horses (whose bones are not even set yet) fast and furiously - there is no shortage of young Thoroughbreds that are permanently and sometimes fatally injured b/c somebody wants to race them too early!
If humans would not use animals for entertainment or greed, then this would never have happened.
When will humans understand that animals should not be used for entertainment!