BARBARO PULLED UP

[WarHorse]

Thanks for the video link, Marli.

Here is a link to a series of photos:

(WARNING: NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART)

http://inquirer.philly.com/slideshows/s ... 20barbaro/

[Barbaro06]

I didn't get through the entire slide show. I had to stop after the one where you can see his leg just flopping off to the side. The bandage kept his leg together. I just could not go with the slide show. It brought back memories of the pictures in Sports Illustrated when Go For Wand broke down.

What splendid animals, so fragile, yet so willing to run their hearts out and on three legs!

[Nancy T]

War Horse, not to argumentative, but why would you think that John Q Public would be allowed to look at an injured horse? I would imagine that would be that last thing that would happen.

[Terlingua]

Thank you Marli. I found the Matz interview helped me to understand this a little better. As the "mum" of a great dog who conquered a devastating injury to his foreleg through courage & love, I'm sending lots of love along to Barbaro today. I think we underestimate the power of love. Sounds corny to say, but it's the strongest force in the world I think after watching my Jericho come from potential amputation to walking again. And we know Barbaro has the courage and the intelligence. So I'm adding some love into the mix.

[Thunder]

War Horse - Thanks for the Link (photos). Hopefully (and praying), Barbaro will come out of it after surgery. And in the coming hours, days, weeks and months.

[skeenan]

Poor Edgar Prado, too... he looked so upset. It must be incredibly heartbreaking for any jockey...

Thanks for the video link, Marli (and WarHorse for the photos)... guess there's not much else to do but wait...

[WarHorse]

War Horse, not to argumentative, but why would you think that John Q Public would be allowed to look at an injured horse? I would imagine that would be that last thing that would happen.

Because it was already broadcast? I know when I took a pic of an injured filly at a non-broadcast race, I was asked (told, really) not to do it again. The TB industry has a long history of trying to hide its nature from the public.

BUT, the press was there, and the pictures will get out - nothing the track can do about it.

If any of that makes sense - I'm sorta out of it.

[Heidilady]

Because it was already broadcast? I know when I took a pic of an injured filly at a non-broadcast race, I was asked (told, really) not to do it again. The TB industry has a long history of trying to hide its nature from the public.

BUT, the press was there, and the pictures will get out - nothing the track can do about it.

If any of that makes sense - I'm sorta out of it.

I don't understand why what WarHorse did was a problem. It's not like the images themselves were posted into the forum, the links were, and you have the option not to look. And it's not like nobody's slowed to look at a car accident on the highway and people have totally rewatched film clips and photos of 9/11 which was pretty tragic itself. With the exception of one shot, IMO, for all the uninitiated knows he sprained his ankle super bad and it hurts. Slow motion you can tell better but most people won't see it like that. To me it'll impact the fans on a level of Charismatic's situation, not a Ruffian or Go For Wand and I didn't like how Andy Beyer portrayed it on DRF. Their match race galvanized the nation but nowhere near that many watch a horse race nowadays even if this is one of the biggest viewing days. Ruffian's breakdown was much more graphic. Like the vets said, they've seen worse, and frankly just in terms of visuals during a horse race, so have I. It's internal, the most serious aspect of the injury, so by nature the images are not as graphic, just extremely tragic. I'm sure I'll get flamed because there are enough people that probably disagree with me but not all of us are as expert on equine injury and only those that are will truly grasp the danger facing Barbaro from the pictures alone.

[RavenSuesMom1]

I think NancyT meant when WarHorse called NB and thought that a peek at Barbaro would be allowed.

[Heidilady]

I think NancyT meant when WarHorse called NB and thought that a peek at Barbaro would be allowed.

Ohh I see. WarHorse I think was assuming it was about the pictures or that's what it sounded like so I figured it was an issue about linking the slideshow. I remember that post now and I have to agree, does anybody seriously think they'd let any of us in there? They're blockading the place to keep out the media. No offense but I don't get why anybody would even think to ask if they could come visit. I mean what if I called up and asked a hospital if I can come pay a visit to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes the day after the baby was born. They'd think I was nuts even if I was a huge fan of either of them (which I'm not just to issue a disclaimer).

[WarHorse]

I thought it was about the pictures, too. My mistake.

Honestly? I want to do more than just sit here. I believe I can do more than just sit here. So, I had to try.

Thanks for clarifying.

[CynVamp]

Do you think if he had not been wearing his bandages it would have been a compound fracture?

Unfortunately I've seen 3 fatal breakdowns happen right in front of me at the finish line, the worst was a 3 yr old filly in her first race at Lone Star Park a few years back, and as she crossed the finish line, snap, her right front leg came off. It took me 8 months to get back to a racetrack after that one.

It just reminds me how fragile our wonderful equines are. One of my best friend's geldings had almost the same injury as Barbaro a few years ago from taking a bad step at full speed in his pasture. His breaks were in the same place, but the skin broke and he was put down.

Lots of tears and prayers from my fiance and I last night.
Wishing and praying for the best, and Hugs to Barbaro and his camp.

[StrawberryFelidos]

TVG and ESPNNews will try and have updates on Barbaro at 5:10 eastern- that's THREE MINUTES FROM NOW, FOLKS!

[Nancy T]

Thanks Revensuesmom that is exactly what I meant! to think the public could call the hospital and expect to get in to get a peek was a little hard to swallow. Has anyone heard how the surgery went??? anyway not trying to get a fight going just think that the last thing they need is to get calls from well meaning fans tying up the phone lines. As much as we all want him to be okay (well, as okay as he can be at this point)

[StrawberryFelidos]

Heard on another board (from someone who actually has TVG and ESPNNews) that he is still in surgery but they will have a press conference as soon as it is over.
Surgery has been going on since 12:30 Eastern Time, they expected it would take about 3 hours but might take up to 5.