BARBARO TRIBUTE - by Ghost Moth

Tribute to Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who suffered an unpredictable accident at the Preakness Stakes when his right leg veered out, causing complicated injuries to his right hind leg. Barbaro survived surgery the following day and his original injury (ankle area fractures) healed. Unfortunately, the stress on his healthy hind limb led to painful laminitis. Barbaro had many good days for several months and the laminitis was well treated, and in late 2006 there was even talk of him leaving the hospital. In January his hind feet began to suffer critically until finally laminitis took his front feet, leaving him with no good feet to stand on. The undefeated 2006 Kentucky Derby Winner's life ended peacefully on Monday morning, January 29, 2007. In a fair race nothing could beat him, and I'm just glad this boldly spirited colt got the chance to enjoy a little bit more of life and keep standing strong until the last day. He was very heroic.

Visit http://www.squidoo.com/barbaro for Barbaro's biography.

I couldn't sleep after the Preakness, even as the next day went on. To deal with the emotions I started putting this tribute together, not knowing if it would be a hopeful video or a farewell. Then Barbaro survived his first surgery that night after the Preakness. I believed he was going to walk home some day, and he never gave up. A previous draft of this video went up that night on May 21, but I wanted to re-synch a few things, and after those touch-ups this has been on DailyMotion ever since.

Note: This video was not intended for commercial use, photographers and others are invited to make credits available if they are compelled to. I'm a horse racing enthusiast and was inspired to compile and share this tribute to a horse whose character I admire as much as his connections and everyone at New Bolton.