Thanks for the great news! VB!!! Will sending him home increase the risk of infection? The hoof is open and not protected by the hoof wall so I would think that would be a big worry. I wish they would post some pictures of the hoof so we could see it. I have seen cadaver hoofs resected but never on a living animal…Keep going Bobby!!! Jingles and candles from NY
[QUOTE=VirginiaBred;1983136]
Yes, he is on track to go to the Jacksons’ for the winter. As they are extremely close to New Bolton, the particulars are being worked out.[/QUOTE]
I probably shouldn’t post this, but I believe the rumor is he’s more likely going back to Fair Hill for the winter… if he can.
That’s your insider gossip for the day, lol.
[QUOTE=Fancy;1983330]
VB, or somebody, please talk to me about the fact that Bobby’s “ankle” seems to be bent inward. Was that deliberate? A result of not quiiiiiite healing where they wanted it? What? And, given that it IS bent inward a little, do we have any idea what that means for his future soundness.
Going home to Lael stables for the winter? How wonderful! Merry Christmas to all![/QUOTE]
Dang… we’re being awfully picky, aren’t we??? LOL, just kidding:lol:
He’s healing awesomely, but you can’t expect everything to be 100% perfect. And while I’m not a doctor, that’s not going to bother him at all.
Nobody’s asking him to to model and jog in a hunter ring, lol.
Thanks ALex!
Update 1005: Just spoke to Peter, who had spoken with Michael. Another comfortable day for Barbaro.
Alie from Kennett Florist left this message (timestamp: 8:36pm):
Just got back from NBC and found out Barbaro is craving red apples lately 
Everyone at NBC is in a great mood despite the nasty weather here. There was a photographer following Dr. Dean around today. Dr. Dean and the staff of NBC were pleased and amused by the fact that Barbaro got one write-in vote for congress here in Kennett Square. Diane who works here volunteers at the polls every year, and as a matter of public record, we found out first that Barbaro has one vote for congress!
Hope all is well with you.
take care,
Alie
WE BELIEVE!!!
A friend passed this amazing link on to me, and even thought this is a bit dated, please read and look at the amazing photos of Barbaro’s foot, and how New Bolton tried handling the prevention of Laminitis in the good foot. We all know what it happened anyway, but this is worth a look.
Thanks!
I just wanted to know if he’d be able to move around on it well. Guess he will–he’s doing it now. Wish we had some photos of his other foot. As gruesome as it must look, I’d like to see how it’s coming along. Off to light more candles–we need a little miracle here.
Regarding the ankle, and it’s apparent angle change, there was some conversation about a slight “collapse” that was expected, but not serious. It was about a month ago that I posted it here. Can’t find it now.
Thursday Morning ~
The Barbaro update should be getting closer to an earlier time this morning. It seems the rain has gone away, although I am sure the dirt track will be sealed and hard as a consequence of the weather.
Thanks, Alex.
Update 1007: Another comfortable night for Barbaro last night (wednesday night). Just saw Michael Matz as I was coming up to the track on Chappy for my second set. Michael had heard from Dr. Richardson. It’s a pretty warm, almost muggy morning. I hear that Better Talk Now arrived back in Fair Hill yesterday. Film Maker was turned out in a big paddock somewhere, due to her retirement she’s not coming back to Fair Hill. This is one time Film Maker beats Ouija Board…to the retirement shed!
updated thursday 7:10am
Thanks, Tim/Alex.
I think that Dr. Dean said something about it, too. Well, he’s not going to be running any miles on it (unfortunately) but it should be OK for normal use, huh? That’s good news. Now if we can only get a LH foot to go with it, we’ll be all set.
I assume that we have to worry about laminitis in the RH-aka the “bad leg” now the “good leg”–until the LH is sound, and even thereafter?
Here is the article regarding the ankle: Read #5
Barbaro Continues to Improve; Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
June 2 , 2006
KENNETT SQUARE, PA Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro continues to improve daily as he recovers from a shattered hind leg sustained at the Preakness on May 20. I’m very pleased with the progress Barbaro is making, said Chief of Surgery Dean W. Richardson. Everything is fine.
Barbaro remains in intensive care at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center.
New Bolton Center has received many inquiries about Barbaro; below are the answers to some of those most frequently asked.
1. In addition to hay, what, if anything, is he being fed? Do you have a special diet for cases like his?
He’s being fed sweet feed (the same kind he ate while racing), three times a day. We do like to see cases like this gain or at least maintain their weight, so often we add corn oil to their diets, which Barbaro is getting in his grain. We also encourage him to eat alfalfa because it is high in calcium and helps with weight gain. Finally, he gets fresh grass several times daily, which we try to do for our horses that are stall-bound and can’t get out to graze.
2. How do you keep water from entering the cast while a horse is awakening from anesthesia?
The horse is not actually “in” water; he is inside a rubber raft. His legs are placed into extensions that are at the bottom of the raft like waders fishermen use. In addition to being protected inside these leg holes in the rubber raft, the injured leg is wrapped in a thick plastic bag (like a shower curtain), the air is removed from around it, and then the bag is sealed to the leg with duct tape. So, he actually is completely protected from the water.
3. Can he be groomed, or would that be too stimulating?
Barbaro is groomed from head to tail at least once a day, not to mention all the “scratching” sessions he gets. We try to give all of our stall-bound patients as much stimulation as possible to keep them from becoming too bored.
4. What size is his stall?
Approximately 12’ X 13’, complete with a 2’ X 2’ window.
5. If he survives this ordeal and it is eventually deemed safe for him to be in a paddock, how would his leg be protected and supported? Will his hoof touch the ground in the normal position?
Ideally, if he survives, he will need minimal if any extra support once his leg is fully healed. His foot should touch the ground as a normal horse’s would, but the angle of his fetlock may be different.
[QUOTE=Fancy;1983330]
VB, or somebody, please talk to me about the fact that Bobby’s “ankle” seems to be bent inward. Was that deliberate? A result of not quiiiiiite healing where they wanted it? What? And, given that it IS bent inward a little, do we have any idea what that means for his future soundness.
Going home to Lael stables for the winter? How wonderful! Merry Christmas to all![/QUOTE]
I wondered about that too (way back when) and then when I went back and rewatched the Preakness where they showed some pretty good shots of him walking straight away I realized it had always been that way! (both do). Of course the break/repair and cast made it worse. I’ve seen other horses with fused ankles and they don’t look “normal” but they function just fine.
Now we have to pray for that hoof wall to grow back.
Update 1010: Peter visited Barbaro this afternoon and gave an upbeat report. Barbaro was laying down when he arrived. He got up, and Peter gave him a good grooming. Barbaro went out later in the afternoon for a pick of grass.
It’s always such a tonic for my soul to come and see a good report here! I realize things can go badly in a heartbeat, but when I’m cranky, I can just come here and read the good reports and feel MUCH better!
Thanks, VB
Friday Morning ~
The Barbaro update should again be sometime early this morning. The piece on Horse Slaughter did air last night on WGAL (Alex on Lancaster, PA TV). I have not seen it yet, but hope it appears on the internet.
Thanks Alex.
Update 1012: Another comfortable night for Barbaro last night (thursday night). I saw Michael Matz on the track on my second set as I was jogging ‘TV star’ Chappy back before her breeze. It’s another gorgeous morning here at Fair Hill…no cloud cover yet warm. I’m about to take Hawty Creek out back; she can get a little too excited on the race track. So going out back is good mental and physical therapy.
Thanks Alex.
Thanks as always VB & Company…I’m joyous and trying very hard not to take all this great news for granted!
YEA!! KEEP UP THE FAITH BARBARO!
Update 1015: I just spoke to Peter, who had spoken with Michael. Michael visited Barbaro this afternoon and took him out to graze. Barbaro remains comfortable.
