Barbaro ~ America's Horse

[VirginiaBred]

Monday Morning~

Update 797: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (sunday night). I saw Michael on the horsepath as I was going out on my second set, Chappy. Michael also noted there is a planned cast change for this morning.
It is a beautiful morning at Fair Hill. A lovely sunrise during the first set. For the second set Chappy actually went to the gate for a little gate schooling. We just stood her in the gate, make sure she is calm. Next time she will break from the gate. She has done that once or twice before. She is a real pro in the gate, and should soon get her gate card.

Thanks, Alex!

[VirginiaBred]

Is this THE ONE?

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the cast change today means the cast removal; to be replaced by a soft support of some kind.

It’s about time for that to happen. Jingling like crazy…:yes:

(if everyone recalls, some time ago (5 weeks) it was mentioned that the broken bones had almost completely healed with the exception of a tiny hairline crack…so Dr. Richardson said a bit longer before the cast could come off)

[summerhorse]

[QUOTE=VirginiaBred;1920678]
I am keeping my fingers crossed that the cast change today means the cast removal; to be replaced by a soft support of some kind.

It’s about time for that to happen. Jingling like crazy…:yes:[/QUOTE]

I think they will need a lot more hoof wall to grow down before they risk taking the cast off the other leg.

[VirginiaBred]

Most definitely. That foot is another story all together. That wasn’t the cast I was referring to anyway…

[vineyridge]

With Hoist the Flag–at least, I think it was Hoist the Flag, but it might have been another broken legged horse, since my memory isn’t what it used to be–the stiff case was switched out to a leg brace after a few months.

[eggbutt]

chains are a’janglin and the candles are lit for good news!!

[summerhorse]

[QUOTE=VirginiaBred;1920691]
Most definitely. That foot is another story all together. That wasn’t the cast I was referring to anyway…[/QUOTE]

The cast is already off the laminitic hoof, he has a bandage and maybe a boot or something. But he still doesn’t have much hoof wall growing down yet so they won’t be taking the cast off the broken leg (they said) until much more wall grows down.

[VirginiaBred]

I had posted this back in August (the 28th?) (update 555?) and felt it an opportune time to re-post it. THIS is what I’m hoping for from today’s update!
(from Bloodhorse.com)

Barbaro May Soon Get Cast Removed Completely
by Ron Mitchell
Date Posted: 8/28/2006 11:34:01 AM
Last Updated: 8/30/2006 9:24:24 AM

Based on the latest examination of Barbaro’s injured right hind leg, there is a possibility the classic winner will soon have the cast removed completely.

The cast on the leg was changed Sunday by veterinarians at the University of Pennsylvania’s George D. Widener Hospital because there was a small crack in it.

"Based on new radiographs that were taken, the leg looked excellent under the cast, said Dr. Dean Richardson, chief of surgery at the New Bolton Center. “The pastern joint looks completely fused, and there is only a small area in the long pastern bone that has a little farther to go before we take him out of the cast completely.”

Richardson, who reported Barbaro was “bright and happy” with an excellent appetite Monday morning, said the radiographs also showed that there were no signs of infection.

A statement from New Bolton said the cast change took place under general anesthesia, and Barbaro had another successful pool recovery before returning to his stall. The colt’s left hind foot has laminitis, but Barbaro seems comfortable with that foot as well. The bandage on the left hind foot continues to be changed daily. Barbaro, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been at New Bolton since injuring his right rear leg during the May 20 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

[VirginiaBred]

Update 799: As noted earlier Barbaro did have his cast changed. New Bolton will provide detail in their scheduled update for tomorrow.
My understanding is all is well with Barbaro from a brief conversation with
Peter.
Thanks, Alex!

[VirginiaBred]

Update 801: Again, this morning’s update should be around 8 am. New
Bolton will also be publishing an update later today, which I assume will
detail yesterday’s cast change.
Thanks, Tim/Alex.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 802: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (monday
night). I saw Michael Matz on the track for my second set. He had heard
from Dr. Richardson. Again, another beautiful morning at Fair Hill. A
lovely sunrise with a very thin layer of mist close to the ground, it is
also warm! For my second set I breezed Rocky (Holy Bull 2yo) with Tim (on
Grandma). Judge (Rocky’s trainer) caught me galloping out in 24 and
change (breezed an eighth, galloped out an eighth). I thought they went
well, but sometimes I wonder about the clocking accuracy of the trainer!

Quick funny story. Judge (who also ships horses) was shipping a horse to
New Bolton. He took his son with him (little Judge). He asked Little
Judge if he wanted to see Barbaro. Little Judge was pretty non-commital
about it. When Judge got to New Bolton, he asked someone there if his son
could go and see Barbaro. As he was asking his son said “Daddy it was you
who wanted to see Barbaro, not me”. Of course they were not allowed to
see Barbaro anyway, but it was pretty funny the way Judge told it to me.
update 7:45 am, tuesday, october 10
Thanks, Alex!

[VirginiaBred]

New Bolton Update

Veterinarians change Barbaro’s right hind leg cast

October 10, 2006

KENNETT SQUARE, PA – Veterinarians at Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital changed Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro’s cast yesterday, Monday, October 9. “We placed Barbaro under general anesthesia to remove the old cast on his right hind limb and took new radiographs to assess the continued healing of the original injuries,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “I was pleased with the continued progression of healing and the overall condition of this leg.” Barbaro had another successful pool-recovery, and was resting comfortably in his stall after the procedure. In addition to replacing the cast, doctors trimmed his feet and applied a new shoe on the right hind foot. A few hours after recovery, he was taken back outside to graze and was comfortable on both hind legs.

“There are no signs of infection and the primary incisions have healed surprisingly well,” said Dr. Richardson. “Because he has had a cast on for so long, there are a few cast sores, but nothing serious.”

Barbaro’s left hind foot, which had laminitis, continues to gradually improve. “There is good growth along the quarters (closer to the heel) but there will need to be much more healing along the front of the hoof,” said Dr. Richardson, who cautioned that “we still have many months of healing ahead of us.”
Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Pennsylvania’s George D. Widener Hospital, where he is recovering from injuries suffered at the Preakness on May 20.

The next update will be posted on Tuesday, October 17, unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.
For more information on Barbaro, please see www.vet.upenn.edu.

[ivy62]

VB as always thank you for your continued updates. My day just wouldn’t start out right without them! Still jingling and lighting candles…
I did want to tell you guys that I just received a hand written thank you card from Harry Aleo, the owner of Lost in the Fog. I had written him a short note after I had heard of his demise and he responded very personally. I thought this was very nice considering he is 86 years old! He also sent a beautiful picture of LITF.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 805: Alex just spoke to Peter Brette (6:15 pm), Barbaro had a good day after the cast change yesterday. Peter had spoken to Michael who had visited. Barbaro had been out and looked comfortable.

[Lori_T]

Wonderful news! Thanks for your updates! So appreciated.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 805: Alex just spoke to Peter Brette (6:15 pm), Barbaro had a good day after the cast change yesterday. Peter had spoken to Michael who had visited. Barbaro had been out and looked comfortable.

[VirginiaBred]

Update 805: Alex just spoke to Peter Brette (6:15 pm), Barbaro had a good day after the cast change yesterday. Peter had spoken to Michael who had visited. Barbaro had been out and looked comfortable.

[Kenike]

Yup, just read about this in a couple of places. So happy! Now just to get that hoof to grow faster…

[VirginiaBred]

Wednesday Morning~

Update 807: Another comfortable night last night for Barbaro (tuesday night). I saw Michael Matz and his crew coming to the track after I had finished my second set. While they were approaching me Michael and others in his set were making light hearted remarks about some (hurdle) schooling efforts of Michael McCarthy (x Delaware jockey) that was going on outside a neighboring barn. This light hearted banter was a good signal things were well with Barbaro.
Another warm morning this morning at Fair Hill, although it seems rain may be coming in a little later. My first set was a mile gallop, after a 3/4 mile jog. The second set we went to the gate. The 2yo I was on had been to the gate before, but not at Fair Hill, and thus not with me. We cantered out of the gate, he was pretty good really.
update 7:55 am
Update 806: A nice article in the USA Today: Against all odds, Barbaro perseveres, it also includes some new pictures. The following are a couple of excerpts:

A surgical resection was done July 12, resulting in the removal of 80% of the hoof wall from Barbaro’s left hind foot. That also explains the white sign with blue lettering that greets visitors at the entrance to the facility: “Grow Hoof Grow.”
The sign is the first indication, but hardly the last, of an unwavering show of support for Barbaro.
The New Bolton lobby is filled with tributes, including 12 oversized cards from Churchill Downs. Beneath the heading “Once a Derby winner, always a Derby winner” are greetings from scores of fans:
“Hi, Barbaro. I hope you get well soon. Love, Mia.”
“Best wishes, Barbaro. You’re a winner and you’ll pull through. Much love, Jim.”

and

“He loves pushing people around. He absolutely knows he’s the big boss horse,” Richardson says. “He’s got lots of star power – and he knows it.”
Barbaro has not required pain medication for close to six weeks. His right hind leg, with 27 screws used to repair fractured cannon, sesamoid and long pastern bones, is becoming increasingly stable. His cast was changed Monday. His left hoof is growing gradually.
If it’s too soon to declare Barbaro a medical marvel, his comeback is further evidence of the fortitude that helped him to the largest Derby winning margin, 61/2 lengths, since Assault’s 8-length rout in '46.

I was actually interviewed for this article, but did not make it to the final piece. The Daily Pennsylvanian (University of Pennsylvania’s School paper) called up last night for a brief interview, so that piece might be coming out later this week. They were looking for others to contact them for the story: Daily Pennsylvanian Article. Now that will be fun to be in, I worked at Penn for about seven years.
The Barbaro update should be about 8 am again.

[eggbutt]

Thank you VB…although I think I’m disappointed that the cast wasn’t removed, I certainly am tickled at the great report!