What a fantastic article! It brought tears to my eyes all over again. I’m another one guilty of checking in on your updates all of the time without posting, but I want you to know how much your updates are appreciated VB. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
The Jamie Richardson they speak about in the article is a good guy. I especially loved the part where he said he felt like O.J. on the drive up. Jamie looks like he could be anyone who wandered in out of the ghetto that that surrounds Pimlico. He works hard and has risen to the top of his field at that track. Bet thats not the mental image you had huh? This mix of people who came together to give this story the happy ending it appears to be heading towards really is a story in and of itself.
The article was wonderful and it felt like we relived those moments at Pimlico but know that Barbaro survived so it makes it a little easier each time…Keep on going Bobby!!!
VB thanks again and again for the daily updates…I would be worried sick without them! I worry enough about my own horses!!!
What I found most encouraging is the statement in the other article VB linked to and quoted where all of Barbaro’s people were going to meet with New Bolton about maybe bringing him home for the winter.
OH MY…I didn’t notice that! I’m conflicted about whether that’s great, great news or whether I’m worried sick that he won’t be in an ICU environment! I know they will do what’s best for B for sure!
I’m another one with tears streaming down my face after reading that article, 
but also had a chuckle about the OJ reference! :lol:
It will be interesting to see if they do take Bobby home to Jackson’s farm this winter.
Another interesting note from a while ago was that Jackson’s still hadn’t received any bills from NBC for Bobby. I wonder why??? And if they still haven’t gotten bills yet…
Hey everyone, please go light some candles. They are below 1000! Thanks.
Thanks, Alex!
Update 956: I just spoke to Peter Brette who visited Barbaro this (wednesday) afternoon. He took Barbaro out to graze, groomed him and changed his bandages. Another upbeat report.
Update 955: Another Breeders’ Cup inspired Barbaro article: Barbaro’s influence won’t go away. Some of the quotes are familiar. Michael does comment on Bernardini:
Matz will watch the Classic too, wondering what a race between Barbaro and Preakness winner Bernardini would have been like.
“You think about it, but it will never happen, so …” he said. “It’s sort of a shame that rivalry never took place, because I think it would have been a good one. I just think that after Bernardini got real good, there was really no one that could challenge him. Whether these older horses now can do that, we’ll see on Saturday. I think he’s a wonderful horse.”
Barbaro will be in his intensive care stall in Pennsylvania, where get-well cards still arrive.
Bernie, from Kennett Florist left this comment (timestamp: 8:40 pm):
[I]
Hi everyone! I got back from NBC and everyone there was happy! I saw Dr. R. and he looked relaxed and happy. Barbaro is doing very well and everyone is upbeat.
A word on Rachel- she stopped in today briefly. everything is a little better and she plans to come back to work tomorrow, at least part time (we may kick her out early). Love to you all!
WE BELIEVE!!!
[/I]
Thursday Morning~
Update 958: The Barbaro update will again be later this morning.
Going home would be WONDERFUL for Bobby. I just hope we can still get our updates. Maybe the Jacksons would adopt you for the winter, VB? I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I couldn’t read about Bobby every morning before breakfast.
:lol: 
:winkgrin:
Good morning. Great Article. Thank you for these updates–they continue to start my day.
A Real Life Story, for the biggest race of all.
The Kentucky Derby is prestigeous, especially for those that won it. Oh how proud to have the winner in your own barn.
But bigger and better,
Barbaro is winning the race of his life!
That’s what I don’t get … those that talk of, would of, could of, should of.
NOTHING BEATS LIFE.
I’m not looking for any debate … just my thoughts … I think they’re all started too young … it’s a money thing.
Good thing the eyes of the world have been witness to this story. Better yet, those above (NBC) can read horsey body language.
I would worship the ground he rears on.
Thank you for this thread … should be published to the World.
Update 961: A quick review of the awards dinner last night for “Team Barbaro”: Team Barbaro, Richardson, Crist Honored at NTWA Dinner. The following is an excerpt:
Upon accepting the award, Roy Jackson joked that Barbaro had asked him to make some remarks on his behalf. “He wants to first honor you men and women of the press for your honest and straightforward reporting of this whole event. You’ve done a great service to the racing industry,” Jackson said, citing the subjects of laminitis and the anti-slaughter bill.
“Barbaro also wants to thank the multitude of people that sent notes, carrots, you name it,” he continued. “Lastly, he wanted to thank Dean Richardson and the whole staff at New Bolton for the care they’ve given him.”
Update 960: Another comfortable night last night (wednesday night) for Barbaro. I just spoke to Peter Brette, who had heard from Michael.
Thanks Alex.
[QUOTE=mareseatoats;1970729
I’m not looking for any debate … just my thoughts … I think they’re all started too young … it’s a money thing.
.[/QUOTE]
If you’re not looking for a debate, why even bring this up?
I wish people who claim to be interested in this subject would take some note of the numerous studies which have tested this hypothesis and exposed it for what it is: a myth. E.g. a controlled study (the results of which were published in the BH about 3 years ago) was done comparing horses that were started as yearlings and raced at two to a group not started until 4. The results were that the later group broke down a a dramatically HIGHER rate than those started early. Why? Because bone needs to be modelled to withstand stress EARLY-- before it matures, not after. To make a horses wait until maturity to run actually INCREASES, not decreases, the risk of breakdown.
There are numerous things that can and should be done to reduce the risks of injury to horses. Delaying exposure to the stresses of their intended careers is NOT one of them.
This from BloodHorse:
"“When I left this morning he was in his stall, eating, breathing, doing the things that horses are supposed to do,” said Richardson, chief of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. “Michael Matz is here in Kentucky training his horses [for the Breeders’ Cup], so [assistant trainer] Peter Brette has been coming daily to walk him and he’s doing great. We took x-rays of his right hind leg today and we’re probably going to be removing his cast permanently next week.” said Dr. Dean Richardson.
O happy day!!!
:eek: :lol: :yes: 
:winkgrin: :yes: :lol: 
:winkgrin: :yes: :lol: :winkgrin: :winkgrin: :winkgrin: :lol:
Where IS that cartwheel smilie when you need it?
If you missed it, this was tucked away at the bottom of the page describing the awards banquet yesterday.
MORE NEWS HEADLINES from BloodHorse.com
[QUOTE=fish;1971027]
If you’re not looking for a debate, why even bring this up?
I wish people who claim to be interested in this subject would take some note of the numerous studies which have tested this hypothesis and exposed it for what it is: a myth. E.g. a controlled study (the results of which were published in the BH about 3 years ago) was done comparing horses that were started as yearlings and raced at two to a group not started until 4. The results were that the later group broke down a a dramatically HIGHER rate than those started early. Why? Because bone needs to be modelled to withstand stress EARLY-- before it matures, not after. To make a horses wait until maturity to run actually INCREASES, not decreases, the risk of breakdown.
There are numerous things that can and should be done to reduce the risks of injury to horses. Delaying exposure to the stresses of their intended careers is NOT one of them.[/QUOTE]
Did this study furnish the horses or did they look at records of horses already racing/raced? It is pretty unusual for a horse to not be started by 4 (heck 3) and usually that means that horse already has soundness issues before he even gets to training (and its issues). So that would automatically skew the results in favor of starting them young.
Thanks VB :yes: I’m another who checks in regularly for updates, but doesn’t post often.
The articles have been really moving. I can’t wait for that update that tells us Bobby’s headed for home…
Friday Morning~
Thanks, Alex:
Update 968: Lots of articles, in no particular order.
Racing: Shadow of Barbaro stalks Bernardini’s march to greatness
Meaningful win for Matz, Prado
Bernardini awaiting his biggest challenge
Bernardini Still In Barbaro’s Shadow
Matz’s return trip already a winner
A dark day Matz can’t forget
Michael Matz wishes Barbaro could be here
[URL=“http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/15905794.htm”]
Alex may have one more short interview before he leaves for the Breeders’ Cup. The Barbaro update will be later this morning - early after, and he will continue to post Barbaro updates as he has them while in Kentucky.
[QUOTE=summerhorse;1971447]
Did this study furnish the horses or did they look at records of horses already racing/raced? It is pretty unusual for a horse to not be started by 4 (heck 3) and usually that means that horse already has soundness issues before he even gets to training (and its issues). So that would automatically skew the results in favor of starting them young.[/QUOTE]
It’s been a few years since I read it, but I’m quite sure the study furnished the horses-- it was, after all conducted by reputable scientists who would have been extremely vulnerable to criticism for poor experimental design if they failed to establish meaningful control groups. I am, in fact quite certain I would have rejected its results myself if it had merely been looking at records.
It was, in addition, only one of several studies establishing the importance of early career-simulating, bone-modelling stress to future soundness.
This should come as absolutely no surprise considering the similar findings regarding humans (and doubtless other species with boney skeletons as well). Why anyone would think that young horses would do better hanging around in pastures until adulthood than they would in judiciously controlled exercise programs completely escapes me. If left to their own devices, with the option of loafing around and grazing all day, how many of our own children would be likely to grow into durable athletes? Have we gotten good results by reducing PE in our schools to almost nothing? Would it make sense to keep human track and field hopefuls from running until their plates were completely closed (to the age of 20 in some young men!!)??? to avoid the risk of injuring immature bones? I don’t think so. Certainly, athletic pursuits do involve a degree of risk: in applying stress, it’s very important not to cross the fine line between just enough and just a little too much. Wherever you look, however, it does seem obvious that the benefits of early training outweigh the risks.
If we really want to protect long term soundness, it’s stalls we should be getting rid of, not strenous exercise.
P.S. Many, many years ago, I used to believe just as you do now-- and was every bit as adamant about it. By interesting coincidence, the first person who shook my belief was Michael Matz. I was looking at a yearling filly (by the stallion Ringside Michael partly owned) who was in a winter Timonium sale. When I told Michael I was looking for H/J prospects, he assured me that the filly could jump. When I asked him how he knew, he said he’d already been riding her over fences. I’m now embarrassed to admit that I was not only horrified, and had the arrogance to reproach this reknowned horseman with “Why would you do that to one so young??” Michael just smiled and shrugged, saying “I just do.” I looked at the filly again, finding her, to my surprise, completely clean-legged and unblemished in addition to impeccably mannered. It took me quite a while, but eventually I came around to believing that Michael-- along with many other great horsemen-- knew a great deal better than I. I’ve thought of him and turned a little pink every time I’ve read another study on bone density and modelling in horses.
Update 971: Another comfortable night for Barbaro last night (Thursday night). I just spoke to Peter Brette. Peter may visit Barbaro later today so I’ll try to catch up with him again for another update.
friday 12:55pm
Thanks, Alex
Glad for another ‘comfortable’ update!
BUT we need candles lit badly. They are below 900! :eek:
