Barbaro and his fight for life

[Sevaede]

Hooray!

I am not trying to cause anything so pleast take what I say with an open mind.

Why do they PTS horses with broken limbs? I understand the strain of the weight on the fragile limb but is it because it is difficult to repair? I don't understand about the will to live thing. I thought, generally, everything had a will to live. Have they tried to save horses with similar injuries before and they (the horse) just gives up and dies?

[Tralee]

Hooray!

I am not trying to cause anything so pleast take what I say with an open mind.

Why do they PTS horses with broken limbs? I understand the strain of the weight on the fragile limb but is it because it is difficult to repair? I don't understand about the will to live thing. I thought, generally, everything had a will to live. Have they tried to save horses with similar injuries before and they (the horse) just gives up and dies?

I think it gets to apoint when the horses quality of life will not be good enough. One has take into consideration what is best for the horse. If the horse will never be able to live a happy comfortable healthy life, IMO the best thing to do is put them down. Our family had to make the decision when my moms horse coliced. He could either be put down or have colic surgury. He did have colic surgury and he did make it, he is now showing 3rd level dressage. We were lucky that he made a 100% recovery. If we ever had a horse that coliced again and required surgury we would most likely put them down. I don't have time to go nto details.

[Vela]

Wenisrubber,

That is a good question. They do try to save horses with broken limbs if there is still blood flow to the area, the area is not an open fracture (most horse's leg fractures are open and therefore too much infection and debris is in the wound, as well as destroyed blood supply. Barbaro's leg did not have an open fracture and that is the only reason they were able to try), and the horse's attitude can tolerate the confinement, medications, and pain with a good attitude. Most horses, especially racehores, do not have the mental stability necessary to take being confined and having so much done to them for the length of time it takes for the bones to repair. Even beyond the physical limitations, a horse has to have the mental fortitude and "want" to go on. Some horses do just give up, get depressed, and die. No matter how much medical science is involved, if a horse truly gives up, they will go downhill and die, no matter what people can do for them. Racehorses are bred to run, fast, and most cannot tolerate the confinement, sling, surgeries, etc. to the extent that Barbaro has, and still keep the happy, loving life attitude. That attitude of his is what is keeping him going at this point. He hasn't given up and become depressed and laid down to die. I think that is what has touched so many people, he has gone as far down as a horse can get, to the point he was given almost no chance to live, and he still lives on, he is still happy, he asks to go in his sling, he does everything right he has to do to make it. I know that may seem odd to many, but I beleive he knows what is going on. He will always have a funny walk and maybe a funny hoof and odd looking leg that was broken, but if things continue to heal, he will walk out of there on his own legs. I beleive that is what inspires people.

[K9soul]

Excellent post Vela, you really explained it all well

[gini]

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/barbaro/

You can send a message to Barbaro at the site listed above. Just be sure to keep your message below 250 characters.

The story of this magnificent beauty has touched me very deeply.

[Sevaede]

Ahh, thank you much Vela! I understand it 100 percent better now. I never could until now. It all makes good sense.

[Vela]

Some great news about Barbaro, he is regrowing new hoof! While that may not seem impressive in itself, there was a real chance his hoof would not grow back due to the severe damage to the laminae in the hoof, so this is wonderful news!

http://thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysn...65358&subsec=1