He was put down this morning per ESPN

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized Monday after complications from his breakdown at the Preakness last May.

 

"We just reached a point where it was going to be difficult for him to go on without pain," co-owner Roy Jackson said. "It was the right decision, it was the right thing to do. We said all along if there was a situation where it would become more difficult for him then it would be time."

 

Roy and Gretchen Jackson were with Barbaro on Monday morning, with the owners making the decision in consultation with chief surgeon Dean Richardson.

 

It was a series of complications, including laminitis in the left rear hoof and a recent abscess in the right rear hoof, that proved to be too much for the gallant colt, whose breakdown brought an outpouring of support across the country.

 

"I would say thank you for everything, and all your thoughts and prayers over the last eight months or so," Jackson said to Barbaro's fans.

 

On May 20, Barbaro was rushed to the New Bolton Center, about 30 miles southwest of Philadelphia in Kennett Square, hours after shattering his right hind leg just a few strides into the Preakness Stakes. The bay colt underwent a five-hour operation that fused two joints, recovering from an injury most horses never survive. Barbaro lived for eight more months, though he never again walked with a normal gait.

 

The Kentucky Derby winner suffered a significant setback over the weekend, and surgery was required to insert two steel pins in a bone -- one of three shattered eight months ago in the Preakness but now healthy -- to eliminate all weight bearing on the ailing right rear foot.

 

The procedure on Saturday was a risky one, because it transfered more weight to the leg while the foot rests on the ground bearing no weight.

 

The leg was on the mend until the abscess began causing discomfort last week. Until then, the major concern was Barbaro's left rear leg, which developed laminitis in July, and 80 percent of the hoof was removed.

 

Richardson said Monday morning that Barbaro did not have a good night.

 

 

 

Brilliant on the race track, Barbaro always will be remembered for his brave fight for survival.

 

The story of the beloved 3-year-old bay colt's fight for life captured the fancy of millions and drew an outpouring of support unrivaled in sports.

 

When Barbaro broke down, his right hind leg flared out awkwardly as jockey Edgar Prado jumped off and tried to steady the ailing horse. Race fans at Pimlico wept. Within 24 hours the entire nation seemed to be caught up in a "Barbaro watch," waiting for any news on his condition.

 

Well-wishers young and old showed up at the New Bolton Center with cards, flowers, gifts, goodies and even religious medals for the champ, and thousands of e-mails poured into the hospital's Web site just for him.

 

"I just can't explain why everyone is so caught up in this horse," Roy Jackson, who owned the colt with his wife, Gretchen, has said time and again. "Everything is so negative now in the world, people love animals and I think they just happen to latch onto him."

 

Devoted fans even wrote Christmas carols for him, sent a wreath made of baby organic carrots and gave him a Christmas stocking.

 

Although the get-well cards and banners eventually will fade or be trashed, the biggest gift has been the $1.2 million raised since early June for the Barbaro Fund. The money is put toward needed equipment such as an operating room table, and a raft and sling for the same pool recovery Barbaro used after his surgeries.

 

The Jacksons spent tens of thousands of dollars hoping the best horse they ever owned would recover and be able to live a comfortable life on the farm -- whether he was able to breed or not.

 

The couple, who own about 70 racehorses, broodmares and yearlings, and operate the 190-acre Lael Farm, have been in the horse business for 30 years, and never had a horse like Barbaro.

 

 

 

As the days passed, it seemed Barbaro would get his happy ending. As late as December, with the broken bones in his right hind leg nearly healed and his laminitis under control, Barbaro was looking good and relishing daily walks outside his intensive care unit.

 

But after months of upbeat progress reports, including talk that he might be headed home soon, news came Jan. 10 of a serious setback because of the laminitis. Richardson had to remove damaged tissue from Barbaro's left hind hoof, and the colt was placed back in a protective sling.

 

On Jan. 13, another section of his left rear hoof was removed. After Barbaro developed a deep abscess in his right hind foot, surgery was performed Saturday to insert two steel pins in a bone, one that was shattered but now healthy, to eliminate all weight bearing on the ailing foot.

 

This after Richardson warned last December that Barbaro's right hind leg was getting stronger and that the left hind foot was a "more formidable long-term challenge."

 

In the end, the various complications from the breakdown at the Preakness were too much.

 

Long story short, the little fella's off to the glue factory. :confused

Ahh, thats too bad. But probably for the animal's own good.

I was tired of hearing updates everyday. I wonder if they saved any sperm, because it would be worth alot.

oh well. it's just a horse.

The owner just lost a lot of money from future races and breeding, so he'll have to settle with the 12+ million he's already made from this horse

oh well. it's just a horse.

If it was your horse it wouldnt just be a horse.

Watch the movie Phar Lap and see how just one horse can touch millions of lives.

oh well. it's just a horse.

 

 

a horse is a horse of course of course

So should we call him Elmer from now on?

 

/lame

oh well. it's just a horse.

If it was your horse it wouldnt just be a horse.

Watch the movie Phar Lap and see how just one horse can touch millions of lives.

no doubt.

The life and death of Barbaro is a tragic and inspirational story.

Apparantly missed by the posters here, except for Holly.

The glue comments are juvenile, and the poster who said "just a horse" is a horse's ass.

Barbaro was an animal. It's kind of sad if someone has never had a dog/cat or some other animal , but unless you think nothing of dogs, cats, or other animals it's childish to make dispariging remarks about a horse.

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It was a national story and apparently there were many, many people who felt some degree of loss.

The life and death of Barbaro is a tragic and inspirational story.

Apparantly missed by the posters here, except for Holly.

The glue comments are juvenile, and the poster who said "just a horse" is a horse's ass.

Barbaro was an animal. It's kind of sad if someone has never had a dog/cat or some other animal , but unless you think nothing of dogs, cats, or other animals it's childish to make dispariging remarks about a horse.

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It was a national story and apparently there were many, many people who felt some degree of loss.

I stand by my comment that it's 'just a horse'.

 

Don't glorify him because he was fast. It's a tragedy what happened to him, and it's a tragedy that people misuse animals to gamble and make money. But this horse is no different than a wild horse in the countryside.

The life and death of Barbaro is a tragic and inspirational story.

Apparantly missed by the posters here, except for Holly.

The glue comments are juvenile, and the poster who said "just a horse" is a horse's ass.

Barbaro was an animal. It's kind of sad if someone has never had a dog/cat or some other animal , but unless you think nothing of dogs, cats, or other animals it's childish to make dispariging remarks about a horse.

.

It was a national story and apparently there were many, many people who felt some degree of loss.

 

 

haha are you kidding me? Its a horse like anyother that just happend to win a race. Then he breaks his leg (I believe). If there were no doctors to take care of him he would have died a while ago. The only reason the owners are sad is because they probably lost 50 million dollars with him not being able to mate. Anyone who is "moved" by this horse dying is full of sh*t

How many horses die and go to the glue factories or to be eaten everyday? Barbaro was a horse. A talented horse, but a horse.

Come on, people, you either care about the horse or you don't. Neither side is wrong here...that's ridiculous. This horse is obviously different than a wild horse, though, if only because people do know about Barbaro, and have followed his story for months now. To tell people who care that they're full of sh*t is kind of absurd.

 

And while no one should blame anyone who isn't moved by Barbaro's death--he is, in the end, "just a horse"--it's a little insensitive to make glue jokes about Barbaro just because so many people DO care. You shouldn't belittle people's feelings.

 

I personally am saddened by Barbaro's death. I was at the Derby when he won, I was watching the Preakness when he fractured his leg, and it was one of the most tragic sports scenes I've ever witnessed. Here was this magnificent horse, an astonishing athlete, who won the Derby by the biggest margin in 60 years, and who everyone thought was a cinch to run away the with the Preakness, and in a matter of seconds he could barely walk--his leg was just dangling uselessly--his career was over, and his life hung in the balance. I followed his fight to live with great interest, and now he's gone, and it's sad.

I wonder how much insurance money his owners are getting out of this.

I feel really bad about Barbaro. He wasn't "just a horse"... he was loved by many and touched many lives. It's amazing how close we can get to animals like if they were part of the family.

 

At least now, Barbaro is no longer in pain.

The life and death of Barbaro is a tragic and inspirational story.

Apparantly missed by the posters here, except for Holly.

The glue comments are juvenile, and the poster who said "just a horse" is a horse's ass.

Barbaro was an animal. It's kind of sad if someone has never had a dog/cat or some other animal , but unless you think nothing of dogs, cats, or other animals it's childish to make dispariging remarks about a horse.

.

It was a national story and apparently there were many, many people who felt some degree of loss.

 

 

tragic and inspirational story.

 

 

Go look at Iraq right now. The Soliders there that are losing their lives for the fight for our country is Tragic and Inspirational that they care about this country and the fight for it. Not a horse.

 

I am sorry if you find that offensive that I value the life of an animal far less and think it is foolish it is a national headline story where stories of our soliders dying gets burried in the press, but I value our solider's lives much more.

 

It is not inspirational, and the horse lived for the purpose of racing and stud farming for his owners. It isnt a kid's horse, or a child's horse. Dont make it out to be. It was a horse for folks that wanted to make money off of it plain and simple.

 

Once more if you find my opinion offensive my apologies to you, but I find your stance offensive too in that respect. If I want inspirational stories there is many better ones in this world that you can find walking down to your local fire fighters station and just asking them about what situations they have done.

 

Dont make a horse a hero

Well i think everyone will agree if Barbaro hadnt won the derby and there wasnt tremendous value in mating with other horses, he would have been dead 8 months ago. Also if he wins, and doesnt get hurt, everyone forgets about him and its like he never existed. Is funny cide touching people's lives right now?

The only reason any of us may have become 'close' to the story is because ESPN shoved it down our throats with weekly updates for a year. This horse's fame prolongued his passing and probably led to much unnecessary suffering. We kept him alive for selfish reasons.

Come on, people, you either care about the horse or you don't. Neither side is wrong here...that's ridiculous. This horse is obviously different than a wild horse, though, if only because people do know about Barbaro, and have followed his story for months now. To tell people who care that they're full of sh*t is kind of absurd.

 

And while no one should blame anyone who isn't moved by Barbaro's death--he is, in the end, "just a horse"--it's a little insensitive to make glue jokes about Barbaro just because so many people DO care. You shouldn't belittle people's feelings.

 

I personally am saddened by Barbaro's death. I was at the Derby when he won, I was watching the Preakness when he fractured his leg, and it was one of the most tragic sports scenes I've ever witnessed. Here was this magnificent horse, an astonishing athlete, who won the Derby by the biggest margin in 60 years, and who everyone thought was a cinch to run away the with the Preakness, and in a matter of seconds he could barely walk--his leg was just dangling uselessly--his career was over, and his life hung in the balance. I followed his fight to live with great interest, and now he's gone, and it's sad.

Amen.. I wasnt at the Derby but he ran so beautifully. I cant stomach watching any of the replays of him breaking his leg. So tragic

To clear up some of the uninformed posts offered here, the Barbaro story was never one about money, at least how it's been expressed here by the uninformed. It was pretty much known from the beginning that there would be no monetary benefit to keeping Barbaro alive. He was never realistically expected to be a stud horse. From a monetary point of view, the money decision would have been to euthanize the horse immediately after the accident. Any insurance would have been collected at that point. The owners actually spent millions trying to keep him alive, and also foregoing any insurance payoff. Much like many everyday people spend hundreds or thousands to keep their dog or cat healthy and alive. Because of the love that they feel for the family animal. I know that I would spend quite a bit to keep my dog healthy and happy.

.

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And it's not a question of misusing animals for gambling purposes either. These particular animals are bred to run. Horse racing is a top ten spectator sport in America. While most people who watch horse racing do gamble on horse racing, it's not a gambling only sport. I personally have been known to go the racetrack just to see the performance, no gambling. It's rare, but it does happen with special horses. Barbaro, by coincidence, happened to be one horse that I went to see race in person, but I did not place a bet. I went to see the horse. Far from just another wild horse.

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.As for misusing animals for gambling purposes.....look no further than the human animal in NFL football. Gambling on football is a big reason for it's popularity. And just look at your average NFL football player who's now 40-70 years old. Those that played for a few years, if they're still alive, have serious health issues. Many can't walk. Many have brain injuries. Most have died already from the consequences of their play.

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I doubt that I can change the opinions that some have expressed. If they were ignorant enough to express them already then there is no logical response to their comments that they would comprehend. Let them live in their ignorace. I just had to vent a bit.

One last point...to FishFan......your post was relatively cogent. It's a philosopical question ultimately. But in my opinion, the death of any animal, including humans, diminishes all of us. But your comparison in any way to soldiers dying in Iraq is out of place. The death of 1000 or a million horses, or family dogs, is nothing compared with the loss of 1 soldier's life.

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.Iraq is not an overlooked or undereported story. I think that most of America is well aware of the ongoing tragedy happening there. I hope that all our soldier's are safe, including our very own member Accord.

To clear up some of the uninformed posts offered here, the Barbaro story was never one about money, at least how it's been expressed here by the uninformed. It was pretty much known from the beginning that there would be no monetary benefit to keeping Barbaro alive. He was never realistically expected to be a stud horse. From a monetary point of view, the money decision would have been to euthanize the horse immediately after the accident. Any insurance would have been collected at that point. The owners actually spent millions trying to keep him alive, and also foregoing any insurance payoff. Much like many everyday people spend hundreds or thousands to keep their dog or cat healthy and alive. Because of the love that they feel for the family animal. I know that I would spend quite a bit to keep my dog healthy and happy.

.

.

And it's not a question of misusing animals for gambling purposes either. These particular animals are bred to run. Horse racing is a top ten spectator sport in America. While most people who watch horse racing do gamble on horse racing, it's not a gambling only sport. I personally have been known to go the racetrack just to see the performance, no gambling. It's rare, but it does happen with special horses. Barbaro, by coincidence, happened to be one horse that I went to see race in person, but I did not place a bet. I went to see the horse. Far from just another wild horse.

.

.As for misusing animals for gambling purposes.....look no further than the human animal in NFL football. Gambling on football is a big reason for it's popularity. And just look at your average NFL football player who's now 40-70 years old. Those that played for a few years, if they're still alive, have serious health issues. Many can't walk. Many have brain injuries. Most have died already from the consequences of their play.

.

.

I doubt that I can change the opinions that some have expressed. If they were ignorant enough to express them already then there is no logical response to their comments that they would comprehend. Let them live in their ignorace. I just had to vent a bit.

 

1. They were planning on having Barbaro stud, thats why they had the insurance policy on him. However, I will agree with, because if they wanted the 25 million they would have just let him die after the accident.

 

2. Without betting, horse racing probably doesnt exist.

 

3. Humans choose to play in the NFL, and are rewarded. The average NFL player probably makes 1 million a year. It would take the average family 20 years to make that money. The players have the option to play or not, the horses have no choice.

To clear up some of the uninformed posts offered here, the Barbaro story was never one about money, at least how it's been expressed here by the uninformed. It was pretty much known from the beginning that there would be no monetary benefit to keeping Barbaro alive. He was never realistically expected to be a stud horse. From a monetary point of view, the money decision would have been to euthanize the horse immediately after the accident. Any insurance would have been collected at that point. The owners actually spent millions trying to keep him alive, and also foregoing any insurance payoff. Much like many everyday people spend hundreds or thousands to keep their dog or cat healthy and alive. Because of the love that they feel for the family animal. I know that I would spend quite a bit to keep my dog healthy and happy.

.

.

And it's not a question of misusing animals for gambling purposes either. These particular animals are bred to run. Horse racing is a top ten spectator sport in America. While most people who watch horse racing do gamble on horse racing, it's not a gambling only sport. I personally have been known to go the racetrack just to see the performance, no gambling. It's rare, but it does happen with special horses. Barbaro, by coincidence, happened to be one horse that I went to see race in person, but I did not place a bet. I went to see the horse. Far from just another wild horse.

.

.As for misusing animals for gambling purposes.....look no further than the human animal in NFL football. Gambling on football is a big reason for it's popularity. And just look at your average NFL football player who's now 40-70 years old. Those that played for a few years, if they're still alive, have serious health issues. Many can't walk. Many have brain injuries. Most have died already from the consequences of their play.

.

.

I doubt that I can change the opinions that some have expressed. If they were ignorant enough to express them already then there is no logical response to their comments that they would comprehend. Let them live in their ignorace. I just had to vent a bit.

 

1. They were planning on having Barbaro stud, thats why they had the insurance policy on him. However, I will agree with, because if they wanted the 25 million they would have just let him die after the accident.

 

2. Without betting, horse racing probably doesnt exist.

 

3. Humans choose to play in the NFL, and are rewarded. The average NFL player probably makes 1 million a year. It would take the average family 20 years to make that money. The players have the option to play or not, the horses have no choice.

On ;

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1. You just are uninformed on the facts here.

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2. Without betting, all of the top 10 sports would cease to exist as big money sports in the long run.

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3. That doesn't speak to my point. Read it again a couple of times.