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."

[jeanvaljean4]

The ongoing saga of Barbaro and his brave fight for life gave me some uplifting news to look forward to instead of the usual *** that permeates the airwaves and cyberspace. He will be sorely missed. My heartfelt condolences to his owners.

[casp101-2009]

when i really think about barbaro i wonder if it was more important to save the horse or care about his feelings. being born and raised on a farm in iowa i have seen these kinds of things before and it was SOP to put the animal down. i believe the doctors involved really tried to do their best to save the horse, probably because of pressure. this should not be a window to try to save any animal regardless of injury. as we all know things that happen after an illness or injury cause the decline of health and this should be put into the equasion as soon as they happen.. thank you..

[koolcuebaby]

Jean..I feel the same...as a horse owner/trainer I know the injuries these wonderful animals can sustain & the usual fate that awaits them...last yr my family had knee surgery done on a gelding that most would have just left as is..he is now a sound horse again & a wonderful riding horse...We owners do love our horses & I know Barbaro's are feeling the loss in their hearts this morning....

[bearballew]

It was very heartwarming to see the love and concern of the owners and the vet treating this wonderful animal. Thank you for all you did.

[iloveanimal1]

It's so sad that the greed of human beings for the almighty dollar puts regal animals in harms way. Horse racing has to be the most horrible form of abuse. Yea, like the horses LOVE to run till their lungs burst or break a leg. I feel for the poor owners, though. Gee should I try to keep this horse alive to put out to stud to make more money...hmmm. Well, let's see, this is costing too much to keep the horse alive. Let's just kill it. Cut our losses.

[horsebis]

It was very hard to write my goodbyes to this great and noble animal yesterday, But the one thing we have all learned in Barbaros fight to live is that people can be brought together as one for the love of a animal. He will never be forgoten and now every one who goes to Churchhill downs will have a chance to visit him if they choose to bury him there at the hall of fame garden next to some of the greatest race horses to ever set a hoof on the track. I am so greatfull they kept him going as long as they did this is a great medical breakthrough in Equine Medicine in the Pain Management field. I hope they continue to use this on other horses in the future, it will relieve a lot of apprehension towards injured animals on wether to put them down, or to try to save them. I am a horse owner and have lost my best friends in the past, and mabe now because of Barbaro we won't have to.

[horsebis]

In regards to the comment by iloveanimal1:

If you do not know what you are talking about then don't talk.
He was not kept alive to make them more money He was kept alive out of love for the animal.
It is very clear that you have never loved a animal do deeply that you would do anything to keep him alive. If Barbaro would have went to Stud that would have been great, because then the linage would have continued, We lost Secretariat, and have very few of his get to carry on his blood, we now just lost one of the greatest horses to ever race and will never see another one like him. I have ridden racehorses, excercised them at a track, and they have so much heart they want to run, when you ask them to EXTEND THEIR STRIDE AND THEY DO IT FOR YOU IT IS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO RUN AND WIN It is what they are bred to due. Accidents happen not only to race horses but to back yard saddle horses as well. I tried to save my sons Mule when she colicked, by the time the vet got to her it was to late, she was only 13 years old,she may of had a chance with deep set pain management. With it there will be more of a chance of saving more of our best friends. You don't just put down your best friend, you try to save him.

[minismom-2009]

as a horse owner I am truly saddened by the outcome of this medical procedure. I know that the owners did everything that they could and no insurance policy could ever make up for their loss. I own a mare named 'famous woman' that I rescued. She had work induced laminitis and with the help of the vets at New England Equine in Dover NH she is galloping around the back pasture. She had a broken ankle P2 & P3 (which have now fused). It took a year for her other foot (the one with laminitis) to grow out but it now looks normal. she is on egg bar shoes with pads and she will live like that for the rest of her life. Two vets told me that she would never even walk again but she is galloping sound. The reason we see so many breakdowns in the racing business is that people don't breed their horses to remain sound throughout their lives. The breeders breed bigger, faster horses that cost more and more money. A lot of them are dead by age 4. Money bred to money (a case Smarty Jones) does not necessarily get money and then there is Cigar who is sterile because of all the meds that he ran on. It is our own fault that we have created a Barbaro and itis our own fault that he broke down. He was a big huge horse that was run before his body and skeleton were ready to be run. I am proud of the Jacksons as to how they handled the matter and I think that everyone connected with Barbaro did the best that they could. We can't save them all

thanks
susane miller
amherst nh

[janney9]

we are sad to hear barbaro had to put down. we kept praying he would get ok, but things happen. they did all they could. my granddaughter has an arabian and I am sure my daughter would do all she could if her daughters horse got sick. we love horses. our prays go out to the owners and the vet

[abc222001-2009]

Barbaro was kept alive for financial reasons. The racing public isn't stupid. We loved Barbaro and we expected the very best!, even if it meant euthanization instead of prolonged suffering, which is what happened. Shame on the owner and participants!

Sadly a question: Who has been brave enough to say the entire fault lies with the owner? Everything always comes from the top down.

Also, when a horse stumbles out of the starting gate, you immediately pull the horse. You don't let it continue running where it contributes to injuries.

I believe that the vet facility acted like a learning lab and treated Barbaro like a lab experiment.

When will horse racing face all of its shameful practices? Without these shameful practices, there would be no industry.

We - as friends of animals - need to become aware of the industry/financial incentive and to band together to oppose it.

[bearballew]

abc222001
Maybe no one is blaming the owners because no one is absolutely positive about what exactly caused the injury. All I know is that I own a dog, who is like my child.....I appreciate the fact that the owners did everything possible to save this horse! I can't even begin to imagine the costs associated with the care he received (how you figure he was kept for financial reasons is beyond me). And as for the vet and the other staff that worked with Barbaro...you are wonderful!!!!! Thank you for giving him the best care possible and for knowing when it was time to let him go.....

[wiccanpearl]

The 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.
I have read comments about Barbaro stumbling out of the starting gate. Those who have made this comment, apparently didn't watch the video. He didn't stumble coming out of the gate.
This was a great horse and I commend his owners for doing ALL they could for him. I know their pain will not be forgotten either.

[iron571]

After viewing segments on the local news last night about a fire in which a family lost their home, a rape, and a murder, the anchorman suddenly gets all misty-eyed and states,"and now on to a sad story... Barbaro had to be euthanized today". Seems we have become somewhat calloused to the human condition but not when it comes million-dollared race horses.

[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.

[amazedd]

Don't be so cynical.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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

[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!

[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]

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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.