Update 1180: My New Bolton visit today (wednesday).
This visit had two purposes. To hang some more posters on the fence line of New Bolton, and to attend the press conference: Breyer Donating Portion of Barbaro Figure Proceeds to New Bolton Fund. I had arranged to meet Skyler at New Bolton to help me with the former task. Skyler called me as I began putting up the new posters and helped me finish up. Fortunately the rain was tapering off, so it became a nice pleasant task. We then drove (independantly) to the New Bolton parking lot as Skyler wanted to buy a couple of sweatshirts from New Bolton, and I was attending the press conference. As we walked in we met Tom, driving in to take care of Barbaro (groom, outside to graze etc.) It was a brief but fun meeting. Once inside New Bolton I said goodbye to Skyler and went into the press conference. I was quite surprised by the number of media in attendance, but I guess I should not have been, it is about Barbaro!
Before the press conference started I chatted with Mr. Jackson, and as we were chatting of course quite a few people would stop by and join the conversation (not because of me you understand …) It was fun being introduced to some other media folk. Dr. Richardson stopped by, it was at this point he informed us that the new shoe was applied yesterday at around 4 pm. He also mentioned there was now no bandage on the right hind (when I heard that I was hoping to hear it again later, so I was not mistaken). Anyway, soon the press conference began.
Those “behind the table” at the press conference were Tony Fleshman, boss of Breyer, Dean Joan Hendricks (Penn Vet School Dean), Mr. and Mrs. Jackson and Dr. Richardson. Mr. Fleshman spoke first, and very eloquently about the horse, the mission of Breyer and how honored they were to raise money for the Barbaro Fund (or something like that anyway). Dean Hendricks spoke second. She highlighted the preparedness of work of a place like New Bolton, and the new spotlight Barbaro had placed on veterinary medicine and horse racing alike. Mrs. Jackson spoke on behalf of herself and her husband. Again she was very eloquent, humble and a little amusing. The final speaker was Dr. Richardson, whose remarks were also quite light-hearted and upbeat. There was clearly a very different atmosphere to this press conference than to the previous one in July.
Dr. Richardson then took questions. He confirmed Barbaro does not have a bandage on his right hind leg, and that the new special shoe was applied at about 4 pm yesterday. Dr. Richardson reiterated that Barbaro has hurdles in front of him; he has “a long way to go - we have come a fair distance” was a direct quote. When asked about his current condition he noted that he walks daily, and was likely out now (at the time of the press conference, and of course knowing Tom was there at the time I guess he was right). I am hoping some of the news organizations that were there today recorded the remarks as there was some interesting detail I could not capture. Basically his left hind foot is in a bandage (no shoe), the right hind the fracture has healed to the point where no additional support (bandage) is necessary. The leg does not look entirely normal, but he can get around on it, and he’s a happy horse.
Dr. Richardson was asked how long Barbaro would remain at New Bolton. The answer: it depends on many things, but he could leave New Bolton “in the not too distant future”. Dr. Richardson was asked to clarify what that meant, and with a smile he said sometime from after the press conference to when he retires (I am not sure who “he” refers to in this statement).
Dr. Richardson noted his weight was 1132lbs. It fluctuates a little. He is eating well, he has good flesh, all his vital signs are normal, and his coat looks beautiful (I can attest to that).
Dr. Richardson was asked how long it would take the for left hind foot to be normal. It could be years, and he will never have a completely normal foot. He has some hoof wall (fair amount I think was Dr. Richardson’s term), but it will be a few months before he can get a shoe (glue on shoe).
I asked about the shoe applied yesterday to his right hind. It is “special” in the sense that it is designed to provide additional support and includes an extended heal (again, I hope this was recorded as there was some interesting stuff described). It is not a normal looking shoe. It is also a glue on shoe.
Dr. Richardson noted how smart the horse was, and how this has aided his recovery. He also noted how steadfast the Jackson’s had been in supporting their horse, visiting twice a day. Dr. Richardson suggested (with a grin) that they were simply checking up on his work.
All in all, an upbeat press conference. I chatted with a couple of people before leaving. On my way out I met Lisa from NY, who was visiting with Kennett Florist. The tree looks very cool!
Update 1179: Barbaro remains comfortable. Although I did not hear directly from a visit, I was at a press conference at New Bolton Center for the Barbaro Breyer model. Dr. Richardson spoke, among others. He then took questions. I will provide a more detailed report on my visit in the next update, suffice it to say that the key things I learned:
a. Barbaro had his right hind shoe changed yesterday, 4 pm
b. Barbaro no longer has a bandage on his right hind leg (yes, you read that correctly)
c. The Barbaro Breyer model raised $114,710 for the Barbaro Fund.
:yes: :yes::yes: :yes::yes: :yes::yes: :yes: Oh yea!!! his weight is good too at 1132lbs:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: 