Barbaro - why surgery?

[monstrpony]

@naters

It was asked:
Why are they doing the surgery instead of just putting him down like most horses?

My initial thought:

1. Because everyone is watching…

What I hope:
Because they want to do right by the horse.

But most of everyone who was watching KNOWS that the usual outcome with this type of injury is to put the horse down. As others have mentioned, no one who knows what’s what in racing would have questioned them if they had put the horse down. So, I think there’s a good argument for the second of your alternatives. And it doesn’t just benefit the horse, it pushes the envelope in what CAN be done in a case like this, and any time you push the envelope, for better or for worse, it benefits horses and horsepeople everywhere.

Given that, I have absolute confidence that these people will do what’s best for the horse. The rest is just gravy for all of us.

[adventurebeachponies]

Barbaro won the Derby and the hearts of a nation…he is an equine hero and has a fanbase just as Seabiscuit in his day.

There is simply no question that his owners, whoever they might have been in the racing community, would have done everything in their power to save this special horse for all of the reasons that have been outlined in other posts. In this case, it is even more special because we have all gotten emotionally attached to the horse and his extended human family as they are all so special - both likable and truly love horses and most certainly adore Barbaro.

Still jingling for Barbaro in Florida!

[sporthorsefilly]

I have to applaud the Jacksons for giving the horse a chance. Sure, he is a stallion and a valuable animal, but people who care about their horses often go out of their way to “do the best they can for the animal.”

We all benefit when someone goes the extra mile to save an injured animal, in one way or another. I spent a large amount on two intestinal surgeries trying to save an 18 year old Arabian. I did lose him, but the vets at Leesburg gained valuable experience AND they noted the extreme human kindness. Once in awhile it is nice to know that people REALLY care about the animal. I believe that the Jacksons would just geld Barbaro and turn him out, IF he can not make it as a stallion. Money is not the only reason people make life and death decisions. There are good people out there who really care about their horses.

[LJD]

Just to clarify

My question wasn’t so much wondering why in the world they’d even attempt to save the horse, but rather what was different about the injury that they chose to attempt the surgery. Any clearer?

The opinion I have been reading is that since the injury did not break the skin, it was much more likely that Barbaro would have a better shot at having a successful surgery, am I right? Do you think the outcome would have been any different if the breaks had broken the skin?