I think our responsibility (IMHO) is to do the best to see they don't suffer betrayal. That doesn't mean we should go broke trying extreme measures if it's not prudent, to the detriment of our ability to care for our family and other animals, but I do think it means they are put down humanely and not sent to slaughter for a couple hundred bucks.
Clearly with a horse like this, there's some pressure, and, most importantly ample money, to repair him. I don't know of many others who would have such extreme repairs done, even winning stallions. With a great Derby win and no other accomplishment, this guy would have made a fairly attractive stud, and he will now even more so, if he makes it, because there will be notoriety. If any expensive horse will pay for himself, this one probably will. Veterinarians learn a lot from these kids of cases, and it's good impact on veterinary medicine to have some people able and willing to do the leading edge of work.
It was so cold at the horse show yesterday, I only stayed for about a half hour. The wind was blowing and it looked like rain. They had a good turn out and it went well.
I agree with you Hair. I have had to put down horses before. It is never easy to do even when you know there is no other option but to watch the horse suffer horribly and die. But, that is the responsibility I willingly accepted when I became a horse owner. That includes the financial aspect as well. I am not rich and there is a finite limit to the amount I can spend. But, I will always pony up the amount it takes to ease their passing if I can't fix them rather than squeeze the last $1 I can from what is left of their lives.
If this had been almost any other horse, he would have been euthanized either right there on the track or in the ambulance. This will be a very costly recovery for Barbaro's owners. But, they are able to easily bear the cost and want to give him every chance to recover. Most horse owners, including Tb owners, are not able to do that even though they may want to do everything humanly possible.
I have a mortality policy on my Trakehner that will help financially in case of colic that requires surgery. The policy will pay for medical treatment up to the face value of the policy. I wanted major medical but can't afford that right now. Once I am back in the workforce, I will have it on Henkell.
I don't know if you are familiar with or remember Hoist the Flag. He suffered a catastrophic injury in 1971 while preparing for the Derby and due to his talent and achievement to date, his owners did everything possible to save him. They were successful and he went on to have a wonderful career at stud. In fact, Hoist the Flag is the broodmare sire of one of the greatest racing fillies of all time, Personal Ensign, who retired undefeated after winning the Breeder's Cup Distaff by a scant nose over Derby winner Winning Colors in a herculean effort. It is believed that Hoist the Flag passed his large heart gene to his daughter, Grecian Banner, who passed it to her daughter, Personal Ensign. Other notable racehorses who have Hoist the Flag as broodmare sire are Broad Brush, Cryptoclearance, Personal Flag, Star Standard, and Sacahuista, ALL high-class racehorses and producers in the breeding shed (except Star Standard).
BTW, thanks for trying to educate those Freepers who did not understand why the injury could threaten Barbaro's life. You did a fantastic job.