Barbaro suffers significant setback in recovery (injured Kentucky Derby-winning horse)

[brentspeak]

(This is bad news. An article published the other day said that Barbaro looked to recover enough to lead a long life, but this new article says otherwise).

By DAN GELSTON, AP Sports Writer
January 10, 2007

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) -- Barbaro has suffered a significant setback in his recovery from laminitis, with damaged tissue removed from the Kentucky Derby winner's left hind hoof.

Barbaro was being treated aggressively for his discomfort and is in stable condition, according to a statement released Wednesday morning by the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.


The tissue was removed Tuesday night.

"Things were marching along pretty smoothly until this," Barbaro's co-owner Gretchen Jackson said. "We've been there before with him. He's a horse that wants to live."

http://sports.yahoo.com/rah/news?slug=ap-barbaro-setback&prov=ap&type=lgns

[Ezlivin]

1. Horses or humans - which should be getting all the press?

Apologies to all the horse lovers out there, but do we need to follow this one case like it's a human child that's hurt?

It sometimes seems easier for people to rally around a symbolic animal than a real human. How many hours and how much money has been put into this horse's life? And does it make moral sense in light of all the people out there that aren't getting medical care?

Just curious. I'd like to see Barbaro get better, too, since I'm not a hard-hearted person. But still.....

[Caoimhe]

2. I click on news about Barbaro as well as news about people

I watched the race where he broke his leg and it tore my heart out. I appreciate hearing how he is doing and I know many others do as well. There is something about a horse, a big hearted beast that tries so hard to please it's humans.. that appeals to people. Ever read Black Beauty?

[Coventina]

3. *sigh* not THIS again.....

First, I dispute your assertion that Barbaro is getting "all the press". It seems to me that there are a LOT of different issues in the current news right now. Barbaro has not been big news for quite some time. A follow-up story once in a while hardly constitutes complete domination of all news media.

Second, you compare Barbaro's coverage to a theoretical human child who had been hurt. But that is really comparing apples to oranges. This horse hurt himself in a spectacle that was seen all over the country (if not the world). He was the favorite for that race and was expected to have a long and glittering career. He was destroyed by human greed. It's an important story, symbolically, for the abuse and dominition of other species on this planet by humans. His injury and recovery raises important questions that should be pondered by the news-reading public.

Third, your point about people rallying around animals is true. There are reasons for that, which I could go into with a lot of depth, but this post is getting long-winded already. The short reason is that animals are seen as innocent victims of much of what is done to them by humans. It creates a certain amount of instinctual sympathy in those that have an empathetic spirit. That is a good thing. We need more empathy for our fellow creatures on this planet, not less.

Fourth, it is possible to care about both people AND animals. BOTH should receive the best medical care available. The money that has been spent on Barbaro would never have found its way to the healthcare of impoverished children. That's just reality.

If it bothers you, your energy would be better spent campaigning for a universal healthcare system for this country, rather than griping about one horse's well-deserved vetinary care for an injury resulting from human greed.

[Ezlivin]

24. "rather than griping"

I was very polite and simply asked questions, seeking to deepen my understanding of why people spend a lot of energy on stories such as this.

At no point did I render judgment or call names. Is it wrong to seek understanding of a phenomenon? Or is that "griping"?

[mitchtv]

41. Great post

I was speechless at the post you answered. I love animals and incidentally, my Katrina contribution went to animal rescue. I guess that's not ok with many.

[Avalon Sparks]

53. Great Post Coventina!

Especially this:

Third, your point about people rallying around animals is true. There are reasons for that, which I could go into with a lot of depth, but this post is getting long-winded already. The short reason is that animals are seen as innocent victims of much of what is done to them by humans. It creates a certain amount of instinctual sympathy in those that have an empathetic spirit. That is a good thing. We need more empathy for our fellow creatures on this planet, not less.

[hlthe2b]

6. I find your attitude horrendously depressing...

It has NEVER been an "either/OR" with respect to concern for human AND animal life, despite so many attempts to paint it as such. Don't care about this story? Then DON'T read it..

Your apology to "horse lovers" rings very very hollow.

[brentspeak]

8. I can understand where EZ is coming from

There's an understandable frustration that so many humans on this planet don't have medical care, good homes, safe environments, etc., which Barbaro -- also deservingly -- is getting.

[caligirl]

12. I have health insurance for my dog, big ones can be costly in vet

bills. It does bother me about the insurance thing. My son graduates from college this year and we worry about what his future will hold in this regard.

[hlthe2b]

15. Work towards correcting the wrongs to Humans...

does not need to come at the expense of our compassion to animals. It is NOT EITHER/OR and like many here, I get incredibly frustrated at those who boil it down to that. Would we criticize someone who was working on reducing discrimination to one group as being uncaring or discriminatory towards another simply because that group had not been included in their focus? This is ridiculous. If you are ever in need of help, I'd be willing to bet that those who live a life of compassion towards animals will be among the first, if not the very first in line to help YOU.


The last I checked you and I--through our tax dollars-- are NOT paying for the care to Barbaro. His owner is fully capable of paying this premium care, so it is NOT coming at the expense of the many humans who need it. While I might wish every rich person would put money towards uninsured HUMAN care, I don't think it is our decision to make.

A final thought, however. When the highest level, high tech care is given to a horse or other expensive breeding animals--or even a beloved family pet-- at one of the leading veterinary schools, the knowledge gained quite often may add to our knowledge of related conditions in HUMANs. Most major therapies, including surgical procedures for humans are developed, tested, advanced in ANIMALS first. So, arguing against such care may just be biting off our HUMAN noses to spite our faces...:shrug:

[caligirl]

10. I am folllowing this story to. the saving of this horse is suppose to be

a huge deal for (University of Penn's)* vet med school. At least i thin it is thathey who are responsible for an incredible job to save this beautiful creature.

I don't own horses but my dog is precious to me and he is almost big enough for a small child to ride on.

Edited for school name corrected

[brentspeak]

11. A big Scotti?

(Guessing from your avatar.)

[caligirl]

13. Barney on Steroids! LOL No he is a giant schnauzer.Pic of his dad-

skansen's superman kind of reminds me of Barbero

[brentspeak]

14. Great guard dogs, with intimidating barks.

They think that most strangers want to harm their owners.

[caligirl]

17. No S**t ! the stories I could tell- but mostly we get stopped alot with

people wanting to know about him, he stops traffic- people have turned their car around and pulled over to ask us what he is and comment about his great looks.

He has absolutely no doubts about his purpose though.

[JoDog]

16. University of Penn

He's at the University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center/Widener Large Animal Hospital.

Here's their website. Click on the pic of Barbaro's face for the latest press releases.

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

P.S.--Your dog's sire is a beautiful animal. Did he show? And I know where you're coming from. We had to let my beagle/basset mix, the original Joe Dog, go last summer. He died of old age (he was approximately 15 to 16 years old!).

[caligirl]

18. Thanks for the schools name. He was neutered but has the

right features and gait is beautiful, we knew we did not want to get into the time and cost of showing, the breeder looked him over and said we could have. He was show quality but sold to us as a pet up front, before neutering. funny thing though, his cousin a female of superman's born later won best of opposite sex at westminster in the last one or two years. Same build and same gait.

[Ezlivin]

25. I've been following the story for months

All I wanted to do is understand the fascination.

And why does an apology ring hollow? My business partner breeds and rides arabians and loves them dearly. Her favorite horse just died last month and she'd had him for 24 years.

I never understood why people immediately attack one's character when understanding is sought.

[hlthe2b]

30. I'm glad your comments were sincere...

The past few months there have been some really scathing comments equating those who show concern for Barbaro, (or pets as family members) as somehow being unfeeling clods when it comes to human suffering. If you do a search on DU, you'll see what I mean and why, perhaps, I (and others) may be a bit "sensitized."

Thanks for responding and clarifying. I appreciate it and am sorry if I was too harsh in replying to you.

[Ezlivin]

31. I find it ironic

My next door neighbors raise horses. I've had friends bring their children to our home so that they can see, touch and feed the horses. There are several riding clubs around here. Horses frequently come down my street, cut across my yard and run in the field next to my house. Terry Bradshaw is involved with a therapeutic riding club just around the corner. My business partner raises Arabians.

So when I posted my comments, it was not coming from a "horse hater", but a disabled person who was just wondering about the focus on one horse. That's all.

Thanks for your reply. I try to always remain civil and realize that the written word is incapable of rendering intentions or emotions. The words often fall flat.

[M155Y_A1CH]

57. You blasphemed ! LOL

In Kentucky, the horse is king! This star-crossed horse was on his way to claiming the Triple Crown when he fell. He is of special interest to folks here because horses are some of our most valued atheletes and he was on the way to number one in his sport. Maybe you have a favored sport in your state? :hi:

[SusanaMontana41]

33. Well said

It's not either/or. Our hearts have plenty of room for both.

[kestrel91316]

9. Gee, you could always IGNORE the thread....................

:shrug:

I guess that would make too much sense.

[Ezlivin]

29. Sure. I could ignore most of what happens in the world and live in ignorance, too.

But I have a fascination with what others are fascinated with. Read some of my replies in this thread and you'll see my position.

[jobycom]

19. Some people have less limited capacity for concern than that.

Some of us can care about Barbaro and about other stories of importance, too.

If you must, frame this in your mind as a human interest story. There are often stories in the news about difficult animal rescues, or about arrests for animal cruelty. People generally understand that a society is more noteworthy if it concerns itself with the well-being of animals as well as people.

Or maybe try this: A story that invokes compassion and concern for a living thing may lead to a greater level of compassion and concern for all living things in people. Maybe even concern for humans in other countries.

Or maybe a more pragmatic approach: Many people had and still have livelihoods tied up in this horse. Vets, stable hands, trainers, and expanding to the broader picture of horse racing, racetrack employees, businesses involved in racing, etc. Barbaro isn't just a horse, he's a division of an American industry that employs and affects a lot of people.

Obviously people care about this story. To criticize people who do care for doing so seems inappropriate, to me. There are more important stories, no one denies. But that doesn't mean this isn't a story of interest to many.

[hlthe2b]

20. Very good points...

:toast:

[CottonBear]

23. Very good points. Thank you from a horse owner. n/t

[Ezlivin]

28. "To criticize people who do care for doing so seems inappropriate"

Please refrain from putting words into my mouth.

I simply wanted to understand the phenomemon. Read some of my replies above to gain a fuller understanding.

I asked questions, I did not issue judgments. Someone could have said, "Sure, we need to follow all of these sort of cases because ...." or "Regardless of human suffering, we find it necessary to help animals because...." And then I would have a better, deeper understanding of how we work as a culture.

[caligirl]

32. I did reread your OP and you do seem to ask the question why the horse

and not the child. Its actually a point to consider. I think the leading words in the first line as seen just glancing down the thread lead me to see the response in a more critical way than was meant.

Its easier and non threatening to care about this horse. To often people are judgmental about how a human ended up in their situation, and are just more mistrusting of humans than animals.

My dog just barfed, no joke, gotta go care for him.

[Ezlivin]

35. As a disabled veteran

I find myself wondering about how we treat our fellow humans. I realize that Barbaro is a beautiful animal and well-known. My two cats are not well-known (although they are beautiful) but I give them good health care.

My wife and I believe that many pets and animals in the U.S. have better health care than most people in the world. In fact, they probably have better health care than a lot of people right here. When I go to the VA hospital and see all the veterans lining the halls, most of them with emotionless expressions, then I see the care Barbaro is getting, it's a stark contrast. Mind you, I'm not saying that it's wrong to treat an injured animal for I would do the utmost for my two cats, but I find the differences in care remarkable.

I believe you are right when you say "Its easier and non threatening to care about this horse. To often people are judgmental about how a human ended up in their situation, and are just more mistrusting of humans than animals." That's probably the main reason this story has legs.

[caligirl]

37. Our best shot at health care befitting this country is at hand. Persistance

is needed and this story is illustrative of the imbalance.

[jobycom]

40. Since you've edited your OP, I can't be sure what your original post said

But the tone of the questions seemed a tad rhetorical, as though you were criticizing the attention given this story. To do so also criticizes those who do find the story important. If I misunderstood your tone and purpose, I apologize. The criticisms have been made, by others if not by you, which is why I made the tone of my previous post impersonal. It was meant as a general comment to the criticisms of this story, not specifically to your post, in that regard.

[TomInTib]

34. I have much more respect for some of our horses than I do about..

quite a few people who I know.

I have never been cheated by or lied to by a horse.

And every time I have been thrown, I pretty much had it coming.

[The Stranger]

39. The false dilemma -- the claim that only Horses OR Humans should be cared for.

How unbelievably offensive it is to see this on a Progressive web site.

[brentspeak]

43. Uh, did you bother to read his follow-up posts?

Doesn't look like you did.

[The Stranger]

48. The follow-up posts don't change my post.

In many people's minds there is a false dilemnma when they see animals. As if the animals mustn't be protected or cared for because some person somehwere is not being cared for or protected.

[Vanje]

49. Why did you click on it?

With so many DU posts about humans, why did you click the one about the horse?

[allalone]

55. then don't read it nt

[noonwitch]

4. It sounds like his owner is not giving up

Which is good news.

[hlthe2b]

5. Oh, this horse has come so far... I hope this isn't the

final sad chapter in an otherwise hopeful story....


Hang in there big guy....

[CottonBear]

7. Poor Barbaro. Laminitis is more difficult to treat than the fractures.

He might not make it. You never know with laminitis. It is a very, very serious problem. Hopefully, the vets are learning more about the disease and treatments. He has the best care. Only time will tell. Now, his hoof has to regrow which will take a long, long time.

[wisteria]

21. I just love the sprirt of this wonderful horse. I pray he recovers and has no more set backs. n/t

[caligirl]

22. reminds me of another horse, we love symbols like Seabiscuit, they

can't hurt us like Bush or cheat us like insurance companies. They are beautiful symbols of great spirit with none of the uglier human traits we deal with in the current administration in the WH. Sort of a breather from a hellish 6 years.

[AngryAmish]

26. There is Barbaro messageboard

People send him good wishes.

A sample:
"Sweet Barbaro - God is watching over you and you will overcome this challenge. Believe in Him as we believe in you; you are our hero and champion. You Show Em Barbaro!!
Nonie Barnstein, 52; Richmond, VA, USA
posted on 2007-01-10 14:58:26"

Ok Nonie. Do you realize that Barbaro is a horse? And horses cannot read? Has Barbaro communicated with you in the past? And what makes you think he will now?

[AngryAmish]

27. Look at this one

"gallant Barbaro-I see you everyday on my desktop,I want to see you romping and frolicking, so for all of us who love you so much, the positive vibes will do miracles. Love you so much
Linda Muntner; Mount Dora, FL, usa"

[hyphenate]

36. There is enough compassion

in each of us for both humans and animals. And personally, after awhile, caring for and loving animals is more important, because animals can't tell you what's wrong and what's bothering them.

I would like to think that we're better than most people and that being aware of animals and their troubles is as important to people as any other living creature on this planet.

Whether it's a horse, a cat, a dog or even a frog, it's living, it feels pain and it deserves respect.

And I would rather read about Barbaro than any one of a dozen or more issues in the world of news like Rosie v Trump, or missing white girls.

[brentspeak]

44. I'd say that stories about missing human beings are pretty important

They're victims, who need to be found.

[Corgigal]

38. I love this big guy

All the odds were , and still are against him. His leg looked like cracked ice on a hot blooded racehorse to boot. I can love and care for him, my own pets and hey I have kids, I got some care in this body for them also. Nothing wrong with following this story, people need to see the underdog win once in awhile.

[zonkers]

50. Amen. I love beautiful Barbaro. I love all fighters. And folks that don't get it just don't

get it. Just don't sit me next to them.

[AValdoux]

42. This is kinda personal for me

I had a horse put down in 2002 with laminitis. He was a 19-year old paint gelding that my daughter showed for several years. I inherited his care after she went off to college. He was like part of the family. He was my therapy. Time with him, grooming and taking care of him, always put me in a better state of mind. He developed laminitis, a complication from pneumonia, in both of his front hooves. I watched him lose about 40% of his weight in about 4 weeks. He was living on pain killers and had basically stopped eating. That was especially sad because he was a large horse with a reputation of being quite the chow hound. It was a very difficult decision but I knew it would be very difficult for him to grow back both his front hooves and he was in a lot of pain. If he had been younger and we had the resources that Barbaro's owners have it might have been different. I had already spent over $5000 at the vet. When the people we showed with heard about Ryder, we had people coming by to check on him we hadn't seen in years. The Barbaro story strikes a nerve with me. If the vets taking care of Barbaro, with his owners' resources, can help other horses and families in the future I don't see a problem.


AValdoux

[brentspeak]

45. Very sad

Sounds like a great horse.

[Corgigal]

46. Sad to lose a friend that way

I believe Secretariat was also put down due to the pain of lamintis. Might have been the age of your horse, I believe. No one wants to see an animal (or human) in pain. I hope they can stabilize the pain for Barbaro. He's just a young horse and wants to live.

[mvd]

47. Sorry to hear it

But so far, I don't think it's anything he can't conquer. Best wishes to him!

[WindRavenX]

51. honestly, the poor thing should've been put down long ago.

And fuck horse racing-- how many Barbaros is it going to take before people realize this sport is completely fucked up?

Does anyone have any #s on how many horses are put down because of injuries sustained from racing?

[Dean Martin]

52. I stopped watching horse racing 20 years ago

Precisely because I got sick of seeing them go down on the track during races and have to be put down. And even when medicine advanced, I didn't want to see it. The short thrill of watching them run so their billionaire owners could make even more money wasn't worth the chance they could fall and have to be killed.

I'll never watch greyhound racing for the way they treat their dogs when they're through with them.

[WindRavenX]

54. You know, everytime I hear someone say...

...something along the lines of but horses LOVE to run, so it's not so bad, I tell them to go to ranches or make friends with horseowners so they can experience the beauty of these majestic creatures up close and personal and not under some bullshit banner of "sport".

My sister owns a gorgeous stallion--big, powerful, and beautiful. I love watching him run in the fields.

[Dean Martin]

56. I love watching horses run in the wild

Or out in the fields, in their habitat, just having fun, or just running even when being ridden. Just not in sport. I love watching the wild mustangs that are being slaughtered out west.

But then again, I hate all sports, so I'm biased against sports anyway. But sports using animals in particular, I don't like.