Lessons Learned From Barbaro

Fight To Save Racehorse Advanced Equine Medicine's Understanding Of Leg Injuries

(CBS/AP)  Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro's greatest impact might be the future well-being of thoroughbreds.

"There have been an awful lot of positives," co-owner Roy Jackson said at a news conference Monday, just hours after Barbaro was euthanized after a series of ailments, including laminitis in three feet.

"Veterinary medicine has learned a great deal, the general public has been educated and a host of issues have been addressed. Our hope is that some of these issues won't die."

Barbaro's fight for survival was extraordinary in several ways: The three bones he shattered in his right rear leg at the Preakness more than eight months ago had completely healed; state-of-the-art technology allowed him to endure a grueling series of surgeries and pool recoveries; he rested comfortably in body slings; and he handled constant cast changes.

"Even though this is a very sad ending, I think overall it's been a positive experience," Rick Arthur, the equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board, said. "It's taught people what can be done, and there will probably be horses in the future who will live based on what happened with Barbaro."

Although horses with similar injuries have recovered in the past, none was as prominent as Barbaro, who won all six of his races before the horrifying 2006 Preakness breakdown.

The colt sustained a broken cannon bone above the ankle, a broken sesamoid bone behind the ankle and a broken long pastern bone below the ankle. The fetlock joint — the ankle — was dislocated. Richardson said the pastern bone was shattered in "20-plus pieces."

Barbaro pulled through the complicated five-hour surgery during which Richardson inserted a titanium plate and 27 screws into the broken bones. It was the first of nearly two dozen surgeries and other procedures, including cast changes under anesthesia.

In many cases, horses with such severe injuries would be euthanized on the spot. But Jackson and his wife Gretchen chose to spare no expense and sent their colt directly from Baltimore to the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center about two hours away. That's where Dr. Dean Richardson tried to save Barbaro.

It almost happened.

Had it not been for laminitis — the dreaded hoof disease caused by uneven weight distribution in the limbs — he likely would have pulled through.

"This was a very near thing," Arthur said. "If it hadn't been for the last cascade of complications, I think this could have been successful. The key thing is the fracture healed. It was laminitis to the left hind that started the sequence of events that led to his demise."

Richardson choked back tears Monday when he described his final minutes with Barbaro.

"Barbaro had many, many good days," he said.

Richardson emphasized he'd learned a great deal and would be better equipped to handle a horse with the same injury.

"I honestly believe I would have a better chance to save his life, because I would probably not make the same mistakes," Richardson said. "I'm sure I made mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes, or know of things you could have done better."

Richardson also learned how to better manage a horse's pain throughout the difficult medical procedures, reported The Early Show's veterinary correspondent Dr. Debbye Turner.

In a way, Barbaro has championed other causes. Celeste Kunz, a vet with the American Association of Equine Practitioners, said the colt's plight could bring more funding for laminitis research. The Jacksons have been outspoken in their support to stop the slaughter of horses.

Several vets said they believe other owners now might consider trying to save an injured horse.

"People who have a horse injured may now stop and say there might be a treatment out there," said Larry Bramlage, a vet at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. "Never before has there been a horse of such prominence treated like this. Barbaro will make people aware they should investigate their options."

But, cost is still an issue. The Jacksons spent tens of thousands of dollars.

"I think the Jacksons can certainly be comfortable and confident they did absolutely everything they could to save this horse," Mike Curry, daily news editor of the Thoroughbred Times, told The Early Show.

Curry dismissed the idea that the Jacksons spared no cost to save Barbaro because of the horse's potential value for breeding. Curry said the insurance policy on Barbaro was probably higher than his stud value since the horse suffered devastating leg injuries.

"I don't think you go and pick grass twice a day for a horse when it's about the money," Curry said. "This was a horse that they really cared for and was near and dear to their heart."

[katwoman]

Thank God for people like the Jackson's who love their pet enough to do what they can to save him. Every day I hear about some horror story of someone doing some horrific act to an animal; or worse yet neglecting them. Animals are to be loved and cared for by us, not abused. Until you have loved and been loved by an animal you do not understand that unique relationship between the owner and that animal. A love for a beloved pet can be greater or as great as the love for a family member, so please give the Jackson's a break. They just had to make a very difficult decision and I am sure that they are greiving over Barbaro as many of us who have followed his care are.

[ellenrouse]

Good grief! Such drama over a discussion. Some of you acuse some of us as what I perceive as insensitive... couldn't be further from the truth. I still cry over the deaths of the 6 dogs, 6 cats, and a bird who were a part of my life and family at various times in my childhood, a young married gal, then a mom with 3 kids. Our pets are important in our lives as companions and lessons in responsibility and compassion. You guys are taking the discussion in such a dark frame of mind. Calm down for Pete's sake.

[vkft1]

Thanks to the Jacksons heroic efforts to save Barbaro's life everyone now knows that all race horse owners are not in it for the" money." They have raised the standards of care for all future racing TB owners to follow. Barbaro, the Jacksons, and the NB team, showed us all the impossible is only that if we allow it to be. Love and tears could not save Barbaro,but all the love, tears,care, and time loving, learning , and caring for him will save future horses.Run free now ,Champ ,and enjoy all those mares in heaven where you now have a perfect body again. Thank you for the incredible life lessons you taught all of us. We are all better because of you, Barbaro. Oh, say "hi"to Flying Dutchman for me.

[nothappyatall]

tthe techniques and all learned will help others. And come on- the doctors are always overworked and underpaid, besides this is a UNIVERSITY animal hospital, New Bolton clinic is a SCHOOL of veterinary medicine. Donations are tax deductable, this is not a for profit corporate conglomerate, but like ALL schools and universities sure they can use donations AND publicity, nothing sinister or subversive in their motives. Go read their annual report of income and expenses, you will note that almost all of the income was eaten up by expenses, with only a marginal percentage left over, bu thigh tech medicine and state of the art facilities cost mega money

Their staff was overwhelmed with the volumn of calls and all else on Barbaro so they set up a web page for him.

What yall SHOULD be doing instad of attacking the owners or the University is ask WHY 8 months of intensive care, multiple surgery and all the rest cost ONLY tens of thousands when you KNOW that human hospitals would cost a hundred times more!
Ask why a late friend of mine who had a brain tumor wound up costing her husband's insurance over $1,000,000 when all was said and done with her treatment and chemo (she died anyway)

Ask WHY human health care is so dam expensive few can afford it unless they have mega good insurance that costs hundreds a MONTH, while top notch state of the art veterinary care like this at New Bolton
costs ONLY tens of thousands for over 8 months of care.

[nothappyatall]

I am seeing more blogs about this horse passing than I did for one of the greatest Presidents who recently passed away. Show some compassion for the 4 people that died in the gas station explosion or some accident like that.
Posted by scullymom "

Who cares about a President who hasn't been President for 30 years? Teens and anyone under 40 could care less- he was ancient history,not even "connected" to today, here and now or people's lives- especially teens any more than Woodrow Wilson.

4 people died in a gas explosion, so what? they according to those biBULL thumpers here go right to HEAVEN in new bods,so let's REJOYCE Jallelujah they is seated at the right hand (or is it the left?) of da fadda!! da MAN!! the big cheeze!

Now, back to the story at hand HERE- BARBARO, there's another thread for the gas people, use it, this one is for people who care about animals in general and in this case in particular.

[nothappyatall]

"Curry dismissed the idea that the Jacksons spared no cost to save Barbaro because of the horse's potential value for breeding. Curry said the insurance policy on Barbaro was probably higher than his stud value since the horse suffered devastating leg injuries.

"I don't think you go and pick grass twice a day for a horse when it's about the money," Curry said. "This was a horse that they really cared for and was near and dear to their heart."

READ the above again and let it sink in.

[nothappyatall]

First of all Barbaro was INSURED, as another article pointed out the insurance amount was a good sum. These owners did everything they possibly could to get their horse to RECOVER knowing full well he WOULDN'T be able to run again. This couple looked to be in their late 60's, they have a huge horse farm with 70 horses and plenty of money, more than enough to shell out tens of thousands of dollars in cash not insurance- for treatment over 8 months, they do not strike me as people who need more money and would go through 8 MONTHS of all this for a horse that would never race again and barely walk right, they did it because they loved this horse like people love a pet dog AND they had the money to TRY.

It's so funny how negative EVERYTHING is in the news, and then when a story like this comes out immediately people jump all over the owners' motives without knowing a dam thing about them and having never met them!
The SAME people think NOTHING of buying those nice STEAKS and lamb chops for dinner on nice white plastic trays- all the DIRTY brutality, blood and death of the animal cleaned away but that's ok because they LIKE veal cutlets and don't care if an animal was raised in a 2 foot wide box so it couldnt stand up, then skinned alive at the slaughterhouse to GET that meat.
Hypocracy at it's best!

[darlyner-2009]

It was a very sad day when we lost BARBARO He was such a beautiful corageous horse. So many people came to love BARBARO and we were all praying that he would recover. I feel very sorry for Gretchen and Roy Jackson. I do not believe they were trying to save him for the money. They loved him and wanted him to live as much as all of us wanted the same.
I feel very sad for Dr. Richardson and his Staff. BARBARO is such a loss to all of them. They took care of BARBARO everyday for over eight months. I know they are all hurting and feeling a heart wrenching loss. I am sure it was the most difficult thing that Dr. Richardson had to do in his life. You could see in all the press coverages and all the pictures of BARBARO and Dr. Richardson,the two of then together, how much he loved him. I followed all the updates on BARBARO for the past eight months. I feel such a loss. BARBARO is in a better place. GOD BLESS HIM! We are all blessed to have known BARBARO.
Darlyne R. Jobmann

[ellenrouse]

I do not question the compassion of the owners, trainers, vets, etc., but millions upon millions of dollars are invested in thorobred horses. If a magnificent race horse like Barbaro has a freak accident and experience like this, the possibility of continuing the blood line is exciting. He might have been studded out during his recuperative period just in case he didn't survive. The millions of dollars invested in him is a huge business loss... and it is a business, just like anorexic women modeling for the pleasure of the fashion industry, football players investing and risking their lives for our entertainment... the list is endless. I don't see anything wrong with harvesting seminal fluid or studding out Barbaro unless he was in relentless pain. Then it's inhumane and selfish, which I don't think is the case here.

[bearballew]

EllenRouse:

Fox News ran a story -
Kentucky Derby Winner Barbaro Euthanized After Numerous Injuries - where the statement was made about the rules for thoroughbreds. I don't breed horses, I was simply bringing the comment to the board's attention because so many people seem to think they were trying to save him simply for the money. If the news statement is correct....then they were trying to save him because he was a wonderful horse and they do care about him.

[ellenrouse]

Nanabear9:
I'd be curious to find out about artificial insemination. When I was a teenager my then-boyfriend-now-husband's mother owned several Tennessee Walking horses. I was fortunate enough to see the magnificent Carbondale in retirement and thought I remembered hearing that seminal fluid was collected for the purpose of AI.

[talkingham]

I can't believe the above article did not mention the age of the horses being abused by racing. A three year horse such as Barbaro's bones have not even hardened. It's absolutely no surprise that the kinds of injuries being sustained are so common.

I put racing 3-year olds right up there with *** fighting.

[jn122736]

One poster said:

%u201CThe idea of Barbaro's owners keeping him alive for the money is so far out there that those who thnk it don't know anything about the love a person can have for their animals. I have several animals the I consiter my kids and I would sell everything I own to help them.%u201D---------

While this may very well be true I suspect most would kill and eat those same animals, any animals, if they were placed in a situation where they were starving and had no other food source. However, even if they would die rather than eat the animals it would not be because of the animals.

The bottom line in human nature is, every action we take in life is totally self-centered--- (that is NOT to say selfish in the general sense of the word)---. This includes anything from donating to a worthy cause to giving up your own life to save others.

A young soldier recently threw himself on top of a hand grenade and saved the lives of some of his comrades for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I can imagine no greater, UNSELFISH, deed than this, nor one more worthy of the award.
Yet he did this because of HIS honorable character, HIS genuine love for his fellow soldiers and he did it without hesitation because for HIM it was the right thing to do.

Unfortunately too many do dishonorable things from the same self-centered position.
Everything we say and do is a reflection on our own character.

[scully15]

He was a horse...I am as much an animal lover as the next person. My home in childhood was full of animals my father brought home and I was sad eveyr time one of them passed. But for crying out loud people...I am seeing more blogs about this horse passing than I did for one of the greatest Presidents who recently passed away. Focus in reality, in people, in the real world...not just in a horse. Show some compassion for the 4 people that died in the gas station explosion or some accident like that.

[scully15]

Yes, any normal person who have huge bills in relation to the care an animal like this receives with an injury like he recieve, but do you really think that they are going to pay all (if any) of that. Don't you think that the vets that have taken care of him these past months will be plenty compansated by all the publicity they have and will get concerning the great job they did while trying to save this horse. I have owned animals in the past but not matter how much I love a pet I could not reconcile paying that much, not matter if the animal made me money or not. the onyl reason why they tried to save this horse for as long as they did was because it made the owners money and they want more. Well, they will get it with all the publicity they are getting. I bet they have interviews lined up (and being paid too) left an right.

[bearballew]

EllenRouse:

According to an article I read, Jockey Club rules, which regulate the American thoroughbreds, prohibit use of artificial insemination in the breeding of thoroughbreds.

[acporras]

The risk outweighs the gain. Shame on all horse owners or dog owners who race their animals. If Barbaro wasn't raced, he would be alive today. Too bad animals have to suffer for someone's monetary gain.

[ellenrouse]

I don't see any cynacism in my comment. But I am amazed that the word "***" was ****ed out. How about seminal fluid? This is medical terminology, not vulgar language.

[amazedd]

Don't be so cynical.

[ellenrouse]

Not to worry about carrying on Barbaro's lineage... I'm sure they were harvesting *** as fast and as long as they could. We can only hope he enjoyed providing the donations.