Barbaro's Journey Ends

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

29 Jan 2007 05:15 PM

Today saw an end to suffering for Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. After eight months of struggle, owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson made the decision to euthanize the four year old horse.

Barbaro was born and raised at Springmint Farm near Nicholasville, Kentucky. The breeder said the horse was "enormous", and grew in "two-inch spurts". Barbaro started his career racing (and winning) on turf, but was soon switched to dirt tracks in search of the Triple Crown -- three races of varying distances in five weeks. Despite coming to the Kentucky Derby after a long break of five weeks, Barbaro raced to victory by more than six lengths. Barbaro's win was the largest margin of victory since 1946, when a horse named Assault won by eight lengths and went on to take the Triple Crown.

The trouble began at last year's Preakness Stakes in May 2006 -- one of three stars in horse racing's coveted Triple Crown. Just a few strides into the race, Barbaro shattered his right hind leg. Despite incredibly serious injuries, the owners dedicated time and money to an extraordinary effort to save the horse. Things looked good for recovery after a complicated five hour surgery.

In July, Barbaro developed laminitis in his rear left leg, necessitating removal of most of the hoof. Further complications in the left leg and an abscess in the right resulted in Barbaro spending time in a sling to ease pressure on his legs. He had several surgeries on both his rear legs and needed to wear fiberglass casts or an external brace for support. This past weekend, he went through another surgery to insert steel pins in the right leg to eliminate all weight bearing on the right foot.

In the end, doctors and owners decided that Barbaro was suffering more than he needed to. Roy Jackson had this to say to Barbaro's fans and supporters: "I would say thank you for everything, and all your thoughts and prayers over the last eight months or so." Millions followed the story of the young horse, sending cards, wishes, and donations to Barbaro and the Jacksons. The Barbaro Fund -- raising money for an operating room table, raft, and sling for the horse's recovery -- made more than one million dollars since June 2006.

More on Barbaro's amazing journey at the Pop Culture blog.

Read more about horses here at Families.com!

Losing a pet is never easy.

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Courtney Mroch (9169) 30 Jan 2007 11:20 AM

Oh no! I was hoping this wasn't going to happen and he'd be able to pull through. So sad to hear his struggle is over. But I hope he's up in Horse Heaven running and racing and frolicking to his delight. He was quite the inspiration and he sure will be missed but not soon forgotten!