I Think Barbaro Should Be Put Down

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Interesting, I too grew up around Morgans and had several friends in the Pony Club and 4-H that had them as well and never once heard of them having a laminitis problem.
As for Barbaro, the people in New Bolton know what is best for the horse. Patient by patient case...just like people should be treated.

I think it tends to be overrepresented in the park-horse type morgan...

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

I think it tends to be overrepresented in the park-horse type morgan...

I always had a Lippitt Morgan, but my sister rode and worked for a farm that showed Saddleseat...personally I've never been a fan of it or how the horses are kept.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

I've thought about this a lot recently, and discussed it with some board members as well. My belief is that it should've been done after the Preakness. The extent of his injuries and subsequent laminitis were massive. Every horse, other than a Derby winner, would have been put down. Add to it the negative coverage that comes from such a high profile horse and the work to save him makes sense. I think the Jackson's are good people, but it doesn't mean they are doing the right thing here. Horses don't speak, and sure the horse might not seem like he's in pain, but the constant surgeries and treatments are not going to stop. In fact he had another surgery last night....I don't see this having a happy ending. I think the mistake was made during the summer and its being compounded. Again, the animal lover in me thinks he should be put down. There is nothing noble about keeping him around to go from surgery to surgery to setback to setback.

Randall,
Sadly, I find myself in agreement with you.
I wrote about him in my "lessons learned from chickens" thread.
I've been a fan of his for a long long time. Oh the thrills!
That said, there comes a time to end the suffering, admit it. Misery needs to be confronted despite all of our best hopes otherwise.
Yes, Barbaro has made many friends, myself included.
All of his fans will cry, as they should. I will.
It's difficult to give up on hope, dreams unfulfilled.
I sure would love to see his babies run, but if that's not in the cards, I'll just treasure good memories, and let him go.
It might be in his best interest.
Peace.
DTS

[SCUDSBROTHER]

To me,it is all about whether an animal eats.That is everything (when it comes to animals.)That is the way they communicate the way they feel.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

To me,it is all about whether an animal eats.That is everything (when it comes to animals.)That is the way they communicate the way they feel.

I'll defer to Beth and others with more hands on horse experience, but I think there is a lot more to it than whether an animal eats or not. He's definitely a fighter as she said, but that doesn't mean its the right thing to do.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

2nd plug now for your "lessons learned from chickens" but okay. While you are willing to let go, and it's admirable lets not forget that the horse doesn't seem to willing to let go. He keeps fighting. Let him fight. I could care less if he reproduces, him surviving the whole ordeal would be enough for me. I honestly believe the people who are making the decisions are doing what they believe is the right thing by Barbaro, so it's okay by me.

That thread doesn't need a plug. Don't read it if you don't like it.
Now, back to Barbaro...sure we'd all love to see him romping in a pasture.
If that's to be, fine.
As I said, I'll take the memories. I don't make the decisions.
There is a time to say enough is enough.
I've been around a few horses that let me know that. even if they can't speak like you and me, they let you know.
Barbaro has nothing more to prove.

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

I've thought about this a lot recently, and discussed it with some board members as well. My belief is that it should've been done after the Preakness. The extent of his injuries and subsequent laminitis were massive. Every horse, other than a Derby winner, would have been put down. Add to it the negative coverage that comes from such a high profile horse and the work to save him makes sense. I think the Jackson's are good people, but it doesn't mean they are doing the right thing here. Horses don't speak, and sure the horse might not seem like he's in pain, but the constant surgeries and treatments are not going to stop. In fact he had another surgery last night....I don't see this having a happy ending. I think the mistake was made during the summer and its being compounded. Again, the animal lover in me thinks he should be put down. There is nothing noble about keeping him around to go from surgery to surgery to setback to setback.

I totally disagree, randall. It has already had a happy ending. When you are loved by every being that comes into contact with you, as Barbaro is, things aren't all that bad.

Barbaro has had more affection poured onto him than any animal on the planet. From all reports and appearances his suffering has been minimal. Surgery is not a pleasant experience for human or animal, but the in between time more than makes up for it.

--Dunbar

The advances today are absolutley amazing horses that would have been put down 5 years ago are now treatable even broken legs can be fixed ( used to be instant death sentence) ive seen alot of horse injuries from ripped out legs to lighting strikes & it has allways amazed me the massive healing power of horses so i wouldnt be giving up on the horse just yet .One thing you can be absolutley sure of the vets treating the problem would not continue if they thought there was no hope or the the horse was in absolute pain.
Just wondering do they feed horses alot of sellium over there? laminitis is becomming quite rare down here.

[Danzig]

the only thing i'm really thinking about all this is i sure hope the jacksons don't read this thread. they are living this on a daily basis. we can sit here and abstractly pronounce what should be done, or shouldn't. fact is, unless and until one of us is in this same situation, we don't have a clue what we would do.

hindsight is 20-20. we know NOW that barbaro has had setbacks. they didn't know going in that all this would happen. they knew there could be and probably would be complications.. looking back, it does seem like a lot...but that's when you encapsulate months and months into a few minutes of looking back....

also, dr richardson said that money was no object, that the jacksons would do this regardless of the horses real or perceived value-if this was all about money, barbaro would have been put down and insurance paid out.

the odds have been slim from day one. 5% when they discovered the laminitis.

fact is, if he survives a month, a year, or ten years-if he ends up passing due to the laminitis there will be posts galore saying 'see, he shoulda been put down'.

[horseofcourse]

Good discussion. I don't know what the proper thing to do is. I am not degreed in veterenary science. Don't know pain thresholds of animals. Don't know how bad off he is. I honestly don't have a clue, and really have no opinion on this matter as I simply don't knwo enough about it. I did approve of the effort to save his life.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by Magic_Idol

The advances today are absolutley amazing horses that would have been put down 5 years ago are now treatable even broken legs can be fixed ( used to be instant death sentence) ive seen alot of horse injuries from ripped out legs to lighting strikes & it has allways amazed me the massive healing power of horses so i wouldnt be giving up on the horse just yet .One thing you can be absolutley sure of the vets treating the problem would not continue if they thought there was no hope or the the horse was in absolute pain.
Just wondering do they feed horses alot of selenium over there? laminitis is becomming quite rare down here.

depends what part of the coutry you live in...certain areas like the Northeast and nrthwest have soil that is selenium deficient...and many people supplement (although they don't need to since local feed companies cater to the region and add it to their grain mixes)...other parts have adequate amounts in the soil, and there are places that actually have too much, areas of the southwest (New Mexico, Arizona) ...as selenium is toxic...

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

depends what part of the coutry you live in...certain areas like the Northeast and nrthwest have soil that is selenium deficient...and many people supplement (although they don't need to since local feed companies cater to the region and add it to their grain mixes)...other parts have adequate amounts in the soil, and there are places that actually have too much, areas of the southwest (New Mexico, Arizona) ...as selenium is toxic...

What does selenium do? (GR happily sits down at her school desk and prepares to learn something... )

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

What does selenium do? (GR happily sits down at her school desk and prepares to learn something... )

if you're deficient, you can have intestinal disorders. also is believed to combat cancer in humans...

of course there is a connection between gastro-intestinal disorders and laminitis.

selenium is a supplement that is added to livestock feed....