In human terms, he's already rich & famous and if what he's got to look forward to doesn't give him the "will to live",........well...ALPO. :D

Welcome to the Cellar, queenb. You make a good point, of course, but considering what we do to future ballet dancers and gymnasts, it all seems natural.

Is that the pearl necklace of the new millenium? Somehow I can't hear zz top in my minds ear singing that one...

In the world of horse racing, artificial insemination is illegal. The only way Barbaro can produce any money-making offspring, is the old fashioned way.

So there is no selling of his sperm.

And before you go feeling bad for these horses, you must understand that their genetics aren't like normal horse genetics. They come from long lines of bred racing horses. Their bodies are more than able to handle the stress put upon them. Plus the pampering and care they receive. They are superstars as far as they are concerned. And when they retire, they will live a long and happy life of eating and fornication. $25 million is invested in this horse. They owners risk nothing when it comes to this horses well being.

(I registered just to tell you, you were wrong.. btw. Education before cynicism is crucial.)

Hello UltraViolence, welcome to the Cellar. :D
Stick around and that registration won't be wasted, since you told us in Post #18 (in this thread) what we already knew in post #4.

"Hey baby, wanna come over here and ride the lightnin' rod?"

It doesn't look good for the big guy.

Barbaro Takes a Bad Turn
Apparently, there are problems in both rear legs now, and the surgery can have the side-effect of worsening conditions in the front legs.

Barbaro Euthanized
 

Ah, that sucks.

Just this morning I heard an interview with his Vet. He said that Barbaro was still eating and bright-eyed, and did not look like a horse in pain or ready to give up.

I heard the same interview. The "bright-eyed" comment stuck with me. The vet was basically saying that even though the horse was going through all this crap, it was in good spirits.

I wonder if they get an insurance payout now that he's dead?

Was Barbaro a stallion, gelding or mare? I honestly don't know, but, if a stallion, I assume he was thoroughly milked prior to having been put down...

Stallion. The reason for the heroic efforts, I think, was his stud value. Almost as valuable as yours, 'Spode.

Barbaro was a colt. Only 4 years old. :( A baby.

They were pretty sure he would never be able to be put to stud as he didn't have much of a chance to put all his weight on his back legs. Artificial insemination is against horse racing rules.

It's as sad as when they had to euthanize Ruffian after her match race with Foolish Pleasure.

Aww... poor guy.
My daughter heard the news on KYW in the car today and she's very sad. He was her pick in the Derby and Preakness last year.... she felt a connection.
I commend the owners and vets for trying so hard, and for knowing when enough was enough, it must have been a really hard decision.