Posted on 07/10/2006 2:13:53 PM PDT by Dog
For nearly 6 weeks after the catastrophic injuries Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro suffered in the May 20 Preakness, the colt's recovery from the May 21 surgery on his right hind leg had gone better than even the most optimistic had hoped. From the start, Dr. Dean Richardson, who performed the surgery, warned everyone that it could turn the other way at any time.
In the last week, almost nothing has gone right for Barbaro. Last night, Richardson said the colt has developed "potentially serious'' complications, including an infection in the leg. When asked how he thought this might play out, Richardson said he simply could not be certain.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
There's a lot of information you don't know... you haven't seen the horse, for one, Peach!
We knew this would be a long recovery, with some ups and downs. We can't declare him healed every up day and wallow in despair every down day. If he's healable, he's in the right place, we have to be patient.
On a cow that is not handleable... maybe. But any horse that will stand for a shot, they'll stand for the shot.
Good Lord, that was a sad story!
The horse has to be insured.
Yes I was heart broken.
They work for us, they trust us, and we in turn trust them with our lives. That carries with it the responsibility to do right by them when they injure themselves doing our bidding. Particularly when they injure themselves pitifully in front of a large audience.
In my case, I could not afford the treatment Barbaro is receiving, but my horses are very much cherished pets, I'd do as right by them as I can, they've given me a lifetime of service.
His life may be insured, his future fertility may be insured, but his medical bills are not.
The cow was really sick and couldn't do much of anything. It was just really sad to watch the vet carving up that poor cow, trying to find the vein.
The horses I saw put to sleep went down with the tranq, but with the overdose, they went nuts. Peddling their feet, trying to get up, etc. I've never witnessed one that went easily.
Well, sorry to hear that, for you having to endure it, and because I'll have to face it one day. That isn't the experience of others I know who have had to endure it... It went OK.
Sorry I missed this thread today.
I know I'll have to do it again someday soon. George the Pony is probably next in line, he's getting really old. I'll be there for him when it happens, hopefully he'll go easily. I don't think I can take another fighter.
I understand. ~sigh~
Dangit if they don't all get old.
FWIW, I believe Barbaro's treatment is paving the way to better care in the future (at a lesser cost) for many horses ... not all, but many.
Sure it is. I agree.
At least one injured racehorse, that I know of, in a somewhat major race - in the UK - has been shot in the infield just during the time Barbaro has been in Intensive Care. It does happen - and Barbaro's injury was the type that usually does result in that kind of euthanasia.
However, Barbaro had the best chance of being a Triple Crown winner of any horse in the past 26 years before he just took a bad misstep and this happened. He had speed and stamina, true champion qualities.
He won the Kentucky Derby by 6-1/2 lengths. He had won all six of his starts before the Preakness, when he went down within a few seconds of the start. IIRC, only six horses *ever* have gone into the Kentucky Derby with an unblemished record, much less the Preakness.
He may still win Horse of the Year honors. Barbaro is probably the Horse of the Decade and even this short century at this mark. There is every reason in the world to try to help him live out his life comfortably. He's a very smart, very bright horse and has been an excellent patient. He is getting restless, however, after 6 weeks of being cooped up.
Heal, Barbaro, Heal.
I used to pay a quarter per show to watch chickens who did the soft shoe wearing sandpaper shoes and playing their own records; and playing basketball on their own little court (that basketball player might have been a duck, now that I think about it).
Doc R doesn't think it's even a topic to contemplate at this point.
The Jacksons postponed a scheduled trip to Africa to stay with Bobby, at this time. Their visits to him are important to his morale.
>Yeah, me too. I was just seriously wondering about the old "shoot horses with broken legs" thing. I also have a lot in common with North Koreans when it comes to dogs. Never ate one though, although I would try it if I had the chance.<
What is needed is a "Ghoul Ping" so the dead-animal enthusiasts miss no chance to work over the emotions of people who don't giggle at the pain or death of a non-meat animal.
ROFL, I had completely forgotten about that. I haven't seen one of those in 40 years!
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