RIP Barbaro
by Mainetarr
After spending eight months in an intensive care stall, race horse Barbaro was put down Monday in Kennett Square, PA. He was four years old.
Barbaro succumbed to laminitis, a condition effecting the laminae, causing inflammation to the hoof, making it difficult for the horse to bear weight on the effected hoof. It is a painful condition that horses rarely overcome. There have been many different opinions voiced regarding Barbaro and the extent of his treatment. He had multiple surgical procedures, was fitted with different types of casts and was put into a body sling to alleviate the pressure of weight bearing in his hoof. None of these costly treatments could save him in the end. Some people on different news and radio shows were talking about Barbaro and his owners in the past few days, trying to figure out why they went to such great lengths to save him. He certainly was a talented young horse, blowing away the field at the 2006 Kentucky Derby. On the Opie and Anthony radio show, Barbaro was referred to as one gigantic ATM machine. While there is no doubt the horse was worth his weight in gold, he stood to make millions from breeding, much more than he would have ever won in purse money. People speculate he received the care he did in order to be able to have at least one round of breeding. Others say his owners felt they owed it to him, he was the best horse by far in their 20+ horse barn. He earned his way, and then some. Others say veterinarians used him to find new ways to treat his injuries, using all the technology available today. The majority of folks think his heart was bigger than any purse money he may have won and he had a strong will to live. Barbaro had a unique personality that showed on and off the track. No matter what the reason, he was a beautiful example of a thoroughbred with a lot of heart who loved to race. He will be missed by all who appreciated what a wonderful animal he was.
