But in the second week of July, when Barbaro developed a terrible case of laminitis in his left hind foot -- the good one -- the flowers again began piling up at the hospital. After Christmas he appeared to be doing better until last week.
Today, January 29, 2007, Barbaro, the Winner of the 2006 Kentucky Derby was euthanized after a major set back this weekend whose valiant battle for survival after he shattered his right hind leg in the Preakness on May 20, 2006.
The Owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson had to make this horribly painful decision after consulting with the chief of surgery, Dr. Dean Richardson, at the New Bolton facility who has directed Barbaro's treatment throughout his hospitalization.
A deterioration of the originally injured leg required surgery on Saturday during which two steel pins were inserted through the cannon bone and connected to an external foot plate. That foot developed a deep subsolar abscess secondary to bruising when he went through a period of discomfort on the left hind foot. That setback complicated by a left hoof afflicted with severe laminitis, indications that the front hooves were beginning to become laminitic and Barbaro's inability to lay down for 48 hours following the last surgery led to the final decision "There was not one foot that was not affected," Gretchen Jackson told the Thoroughbred Times.
They had just reached a point where it was going to be difficult for him to go on without pain. Roy Jackson said, "It was the right decision, it was the right thing to do. We said all along if there was a situation where it would become more difficult for him then it would be time."
The owners were with Barbaro Monday morning, with the owners making the decision in consultation with Dr. Richardson. He will be missed and he was truly an amazing horse full of grace and strength.
