AND - in that video, he is quite bright and seems to be getting around OK. He looks like he’s amazingly spritely.
Gosh, I hope I’m not being lumped into a “euthanize clique” b/c I agreed earlier with one of paws’ posts and said that I was praying for no more pain for Barbaro. I can’t imagine that you’d find anyone on this thread who does not hope and pray for a good outcome – a good outcome to me means that he can live comfortably and as a horse was intended to live.
One thing I remember, though, from reading about equine evolution – as prey animals they are hardwired to act “normal” even when sick/injured so as not to attract the attention of predators. That’s why they can seem to “go south” so fast – when they finally can no longer appear normal things are clearly grim, but in fact they may have been grim for quite a while before that. What people anthropomorphize as “brave” is that instinct to avoid being eaten, but it does not necessarily mean that the horse is not in considerable distress.
More jingles and prayers for Barbaro from me and Barney, and jingles and prayers for everyone who is trying to help him.
I have my fingers crossed for Barbaro and his whole team. Nothing is more exhausting than going minute by minute with a foundered horse. He is definately getting the best care and thank god for the sling. Best wishes Barbaro, hang in there.
I believe they are using objective criteria in judging how much distress he is in (heart rate, fever, appetite, etc.), things that Barbaro would have no control of.
More prayers and jingles for Barbaro. :sadsmile:
I was in North Dakota one year and in the mare’s pasture was a beautiful mare hobbling along with a broken leg, even if there was money to save her it would have been hopeless, but of course there wasn’t. The men went back and shot her and there was another horse mortally injured who was also shot. I understood there were grown men crying. They had no names, just wild horses who happened to run into a bad spot on the ground, but I don’t forget, I see the one mare in my mind. I think what a waste, she was a horse you would want to preserve but it didn’t happen that way. These horses are very rare so everyone is valuable, not monetarily but for their uniqueness.
You do what you have to, sometimes it’s a hard decision but if the time comes that he’s gone as it will eventually, just shed a tear but there are too many that go quietly, unloved. Horses that were once fawned all over like Bobby, they were cute little foals once, hopes and dreams were on them too, people smiled at their little faces, watched them play in the pasture then they went to the test of their life. Off to the races, will they be fast, will they break down or will they be a winner? Either way it doesn’t matter, win or lose their fate may be the same.
[B]Team Barbaro!
We all need to continue to light candles, jingle, pray and above all, FOCUS on the health of this horse. Last night was just the beginning!
WE CAN DO IT!!! HE CAN DO IT!!!
[/B]
Good grief, I don’t want to be in a euthanasia clique either!! :eek: However, I’ve had more than enough hands on experience with these sort of things to understand the gravity of this situation.
That said, I am also a true believer in miracles. I bred & hand raised a now 7 yr old mare who was born as a premature, septic twin who was given less than 5% odds of survival. After much ado she is now looking at me right now out the window imploring upon me to please bring her a peppermint. The day she rallied was the day my hubby & I had made the decision to give up the fight. Gracie evidently wasn’t agreable to that!
The bad thing about miracles is that they don’t happen nearly often enough.
No matter the outcome of this, nobody will ever be able to say that the abolute best wasn’t done for the horse.
Gracie’s Mom
NEVER give up!
You are RIGHT VB, and let’s not forget our focus. If we lose him, there will be time enough for those who elect to see the glass as half empty-
but for ME- it is half FULL- and climbing…we are HERE for you, you brave bay boy- and we are sending you everything we have!!
GO TEAM BARBARO!
Lit a candle, jingling madly…Hang in there, brave boy! Happy to see you so interested in those carrots. : )
The Daily Racing Forum has good article on the complexity behind any horseman’s decision - in particular those top end racers - to euthanize or not. Link: DRF 7-14-06 “Stopping treatment a complicated choice”
[i]But, Dr. Dean Richardson added, “The reality is that when you come in and see this horse every day, he nickers to you. He is still eating well. He has excellent GI [gastro-intestinal] function. He is capable of walking around the stall. He is maintaining his weight well. His heart rate is low and his temperature’s back to normal.”
Such seemingly tiny signs are important guideposts in determining whether treatment should continue, horsemen say.[/i]
VB, as always thanks to you for keeping us updated every step of the way.
I continue to be positive about Barbaro’s chances for recovery, having seen rescue horses in horrid condition go the distance and make it through. My own mare made it through a mild case of founder to return to soundness. Barbaro’s attitude, demeanor and expression all scream to me of a horse who is no where near giving up the fight. The heart of a thoroughbred … I’ve asked my late, beloved OTTB to watch over him.
AMEN SISTA!!!
Praying for you, Bobby.
And thanks VB for your diligence on the updates. We all appreciate your efforts.
I start crying whenever I read this thread.
Bobby, you’re in my thoughts & prayers.
I feel so much for the Barbaro team, the incredible emotional roller coaster they are on. Any of you who have been caregivers know what I mean. It is so incredibly exhausting. Bless them for fighting every day.
Thank you VirginiaBred. I am not giving up my vigilent prayers and jingles for Bobby and the rest of his team. This horse has so much heart and he continues to be bright even through all of his trials and tribulations. He hasn’t given up and I haven’t either. More prayers and jingles for Bobby. I was so glad to hear on the news that there was some improvement this morning.
healing wishes your way Barbaro, you are much loved …
More jingles and prayers today…
[I]Go Barbaro, Go!
GO BOBBY, BO![/I]
Come on Bobby!
I watched the video and was dumbfounded by how well behaved Bobby is! He looks pretty darn good for being so sick! He seems so vibrant and happy. I just stared at the screen amazed that we have technology that would allow us to save this brave horse and technology that would allow me to see him practically live. What a sight to see!:sadsmile:
Come on Bobby if you are going to do it, do it for us all!:sadsmile: We are all pulling for you. You have a tug on the strings of our hearts!:sadsmile:
