'America's horse' leaves legacy behind

After an eight-month fight for his life, Barbaro's race is over.

The Kentucky Derby-winning thoroughbred was euthanized yesterday morning after the onset of complications relating to his most recent procedure.

Over the weekend, Barbaro's right hind foot was placed in an "external skeletal fixation device in order to provide the foot a chance to heal," Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery at the Penn School of Veterinary Medicine's New Bolton Center, said in a press release.

The enhanced pain experienced over the weekend, Richardson added in the same press release, was a consequence of Barbaro's reported discomfort from two weeks ago, when the doctors' decision to remove more hoof tissue from Barbaro's left hind foot forced the horse to put significantly more weight on his right one.

But the device - an assortment of pins, sidebars and metal plates that went through his leg bone in an attempt to relieve Barbaro of all the weight on his foot - did not achieve its desired effect, leading to Barbaro-owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson's decision to have the horse euthanized.

Though using the electric device is widely considered to be a risky procedure, Richardson pointed out in the press statement that he "felt [that he and his team of doctors] needed to take this risk because this approach offered . [the] only hope of keeping Barbaro acceptably comfortable."

However, Barbaro's heavily-monitored time under Richardson's care was not entirely bad.

After fracturing his right hind leg in the Preakness on May 20th last year, Barbaro was treated intensively by Richardson and his medical team.

Since July, Barbaro's condition was steadily improving, leading equestrian fans and loyal caregivers to foster hope for a speedy recovery.

That hope, however, evaporated over the weekend. Now, in its place, is a group of loyal Barbaro fans, teeming with steadfast adoration, condolences and sympathies for the horse.

"I guess we were just lucky to know him, even if from afar like myself," Patti O'Leary, 42, posted on the New Bolton Center's Barbaro message board. "My sympathy goes out to everyone on the Barbaro team."

Others took a more positive outlook on the news, which made headlines in national media.

"You should feel no sadness, only happiness. Free of pain, he can now do what he so loved to do . Run!" Susan Monroe, 39, wrote.

Members of the Penn community likewise expressed their sympathies.

"Barbaro was a true athlete whose unwavering spirit and will to live touched the hearts of thousands of people throughout the country and the world," University President Amy Gutmann said. "He became 'America's horse,' and despite his injuries and illness, brought joy to the hearts of so many. We will miss him."

Penn Vet spokespeople would not comment on Barbaro or on his condition. Richardson held a press briefing on Barbaro yesterday afternoon at the New Bolton Center.

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