Barbaro

[Skol]

I've been doing some reading about Barbaro who won the Kentucky Derby on May 6th. Hasn't lost a race I understand.

Yesterday he broke his leg during the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore Maryland, either coming out or shortly after leaving the gate. He was operated on and now has a couple dozen pins and a plate to hold things together. He may heal and survive but the doctor's aren't sure.

Its a sad story.

I was reading about the Kentucky Derby race on their website and his jockey was quoted as saying

"He stumbled a little bit coming out of the gate but he recovered right away"

What could have happened that would cause yesterday's tragedy? Was there perhaps something already wrong with his leg when he stumbled two weeks ago?

Derby Entrants: Barbaro

 

[Sexy BBW]

Never know, I feel bad for the poor thing, 50 50 chance he will make it

 

[Sexy BBW]

Does this mean if he doesn't heal that he will be put down?

There is a good chance he would be.

 

[schizo_man]

yes. horses have a difficult time coming back from a broken leg, possibly due to not being able to stay still in order for the leg to heal. Even if it does heal, it'll never be able to put weight on it in the same way.

 

[Skol]

Does this mean if he doesn't heal that he will be put down?

Apparently so.

There is a good article in today's Globe and Mail that explains why a horse will not survive if he is not able to stand on his own legs:

Race is on to save a champion

 

[JustAGuy]

More often than not, a thoroughbred that breaks a leg will be destroyed. They operate more now than they used to do, however, so there's a least a chance Barbaro will survive.

I still vividly remember seeing the greatest filly ever, Ruffian, break down in a match race with Foolish Pleasure (the top colt of that era) in 1975. It was a truly horrifying sight and she was destroyed later that same day. This link tells you a little bit about her for those too young to remember.

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=128

 

[Venuschic]

amazing animal!

This amazing colt has made a miraculous recovery, so far. There is a very huge distance for them to go to get him out of fetal danger. Gosh...(over) 20 broken bones in the fetlock alone...one of many (4?) fractures.

Yes, he had an exciting career thus far...but...now he will be officially and so aptly named "Stud". Such a sweet life that's gonna be. Oh yeah and HE'S gonna pay the vet bills 50-fold

Didn't anyone think of making him into a bionic horse instead

Kisses Barbaro!


VC
\
\