I knew other methods were in the works, but nothing specific has been mentioned.
Michael Matz had a scheduled visit planned for this weekend, and I’m sure Big B will be happy to see him!
www.bloodhorse.com ~ http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=37030
[B]Barbaro Update: Derby Winner is ‘Stable, and Acceptably Comfortable’
[/B]Classic winner Barbaro showed a promising first step after suffering a significant setback from laminitis when X-rays showed no additional complications in either hind leg for the winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
“He is getting up and down on his own and continues to eat and have stable vital signs,” Dean Richardson, chief surgeon at the New Bolton Center, said Thursday. “We are considering several additional therapeutic options at this time. He is stable and acceptably comfortable.”
www.thoroughbredtimes.com
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2007/January/11/Jackson-visits-Barbaro-as-he-continues-battle-against-laminitis.aspx
[B] Jackson visits Barbaro as he continues battle against laminitis
…[/B]
When Gretchen Jackson, who bred and raced the colt with her husband, Roy, visited Barbaro on Wednesday afternoon, the colt was not using the sling.
“They give him the option to use the sling, to lessen the opportunity of putting too much weight on one leg, but he was lying down. He was fine,” Jackson said. “He was taking a rest and acting perfectly normal. When he’s up in the sling for a long time he gets tired, so the normal thing is to get out of the sling and get some rest.”
Barbaro’s saga has been an emotional ride for all those who care about the colt, and Tuesday night’s setback was disheartening because plans were in the works to move Barbaro from New Bolton to a farm or less intensive care facility in the not too distant future.
“It’s depressing. It’s what you would not have hoped for obviously and it’s disappointing, but we certainly have been told repeatedly by Dean that we’re living on the edge all the time with Barbaro,” Jackson said. “I haven’t been over to see him this morning, but when Dean called us this morning it was an improved report. I understand he had a good night. He’s putting weight on his foot that is the laminitic foot that they took the cast off.”
Jackson said she still sees the fighting spirit that has helped carry Barbaro this far.
“He’s still eating and he’s still paying attention to what’s going on around him. He cares,” Jackson said. “That’s part of why everybody tries to keep him going, because he wants to keep going himself.”
Click on the link above to read the entire article
Go Bobby Go!
How about those candles?? Wow!
I hope and pray that Bobby is able to fight this! He seems very resilient!:sadsmile:
Thanks to VB and Alex for their continued vigilance!
lightingcandles lighting candles
thanks VB for all the updates. Thanks to everyone involved with this horse.
The Big B obviously still enjoys eating, breathing, the visits and interaction, the smells and tastes of this world.
Here’s to him getting over this bump in the road.
Update 1310: Mrs. Jackson just called (5:45 pm). She visited Barbaro at lunch time and he was “gobbling” down the grass she brought for him while she was visiting. His temperature remains normal and he is bearing weight on his left hind leg (note: he is mostly in the sling or lying down as far as I understand). Today was a better day than yesterday.
Thanks, Tim/Alex
www.startribune.net
Barbaro Shows Good Signs After Setback
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/01/11/ap/sports/d8mjckno1.txt
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - Barbaro is bouncing back again. The Kentucky Derby winner is spending hours in his protective sling, needed to deter sudden movement and make the colt comfortable as he fights back from his latest setback from laminitis.
“Oh yeah, he’s not down as far as he was on Tuesday,” co-owner Gretchen Jackson said Thursday. “He’s coming back. He’s a comfortable horse.”
and
“In my opinion, nobody knows why this happened,” Jackson said. “He was doing good in the cast. It was the best I’ve seen him walk in the time he was there.”
For the complete story, click on the link above
This is so rough. 
VirginiaBred, I do have a question if you don’t mind. My SO and I were talking about Barbaro tonight at dinner. Is there any chance that he will ever be able to be turned out? I understand about the founder, but as it was said on CNN, he was supposidly feeling pain in the broken leg? Is that true?
I am wondering because I worry about him getting loose at some point, and hurting his leg even further. At this point I understand it would be devistating, but what if some time in the future, would he ever be able to go out of a stall unassisted? Would he be able to be turned out? Will he even be able to trot again? Seriously honest questions?
It’s really just too early to speculate. This case is breaking ground in medical science. This has never been tried before. So the answer is, nobody knows. Not the owners, not the vets, not the horse.
All we can really say is that, based on reports we’ve had, the owners and vets are giving the horse every possible chance based on current medical theory and knowledge.
But in terms of the magnitude of the medical challenges at hand, it’s probably comparable to the first open heart surgery on a human being.
Obviously we all HOPE that he will one day be able to be turned out. But nobody knows.
Friday Morning ~
Update 1311: The reporters closest to the Barbaro story have these reports this morning:
Mike Jensen: Barbaro’s status remains uncertain
Ed Fountaine: WHEW! BARBARO PULLS OFF RALLY
Dan Gelston: Barbaro shows good signs after setback
Here are some photographs of the New Bolton fence line, as of new year’s eve: FOB Posters.
Michael Matz had a scheduled visit this weekend planned, so he will be able to visit Barbaro over the weekend. I am assuming New Bolton will put out another update today.
Thanks, Tim/Alex
I am afraid to breathe a sigh of relief! If anyone can pull through this it is Barbaro, he has proven time and time again he can handle whatever they throw at him. He needs us to believe in him and those around him…Can you feel the aura?
I wonder if the Jacksons have any idea how their boy affects us all?
Still jingling and lighting candles in NY
Keep fighting big B, you can do this!
Thanks to everyone who stays together on this journey and prays from recovery. We all know how precious life is, and keeping up the prayers is the best we can do to help.
Go Bobby GO! I am glad he seems to be doing a bit better, but I am still holding my breath and sending yet more jingles!
16,230 candles - and counting… FANTASTIC!
So glad to hear that Bobby is more comfortable. And the fact that he’s weight-bearing on that foot is great news. :yes:
His “Team” is remarkable! But Bobby is the most remarkable one by far - what an undaunting spirit he has! 
Off to light more candles…
This horse has been such an inspiration to us all…with negativity all around us in the news from Bush- bashing to horros in Iraq to teachers who molest their students and missing children, Barbaro has given us hope and a bright spot in the midst of storms. His fight and his will to surpass all odds, plus the dedication and love of a team such as the one at NB, makes him the People’s Hero. I for one am humbled by this horse’s determination and spirit. He’s the most prayed-over, jingled over horse in history and deserves every great thing that happens. GO BOBBY!
Thank you VB! What great news indeed going into the weekend.
Apparently we who follow this tread daily and post occasionally are considered a “religious cult” if you have read a thread on another forum. I for one am thrilled to have followed the life and daily road to recovery of this wonderful animal and his owners, doctors, trainers, riders - and us. I chose to believe that all involved are doing the best they can for this courageous animal who wants to live his life. I wonder if B understands how he is helping to change status quo in several equine vet areas and technologies? I wonder if the Jacksons know how they are showing us what grace and love and unselfishness is? I wonder if Dr. R knows he is showing us what determination, compassion, wonder and skill is? I wonder if all of us understand the power of prayer and good-will we are displaying to others? I wonder if VirginiaBred understands how much her devotion and commitment to keeping us informed every single day has meant? Religious Cult? I think not.
New Bolton’s update for Friday: Barbaro comfortable overnight:
According to his medical team, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro rested comfortably overnight. “We do not believe that this setback puts him all the way back to where he was in July,” said Dr. Dean W. Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “He has much more healthy tissue on the bottom of the left foot than he had at that time. He spends part of each day in his sling, and he is eating well and acting bright.”
The colt’s right hind leg, injured at the Preakness on May 20, 2006, is also being closely monitored. “We have a solid column of bone to work with in the right hind limb,” said Dr. Richardson. “There are no signs of infection in either limb at this time. It is very disappointing to have him go through this setback, but we will continue to try to keep him comfortable and assist his healing with reasonable and humane measures.”
Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital at New Bolton Center.
[I]The next update will be posted on Tuesday, January 16, unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.
[/I]
Thank you so much eggbutt. I have had many, many kind PM messages over the past week especially, and posts like yours. I have been more than happy to share Alex’s posts, and other updates, and articles. Anyone is welcomed to read the first page of this thread almost eights months ago (good grief!) and see it’s a place for facts and updates. Alex and I have talked back and forth all along, and we both believe the more people can read, the better. I try not to become discouraged over the posters that can’t leave well enough alone. I am constantly surprised at what people will say from the safety of their keyboard. It’s folks like you and TEAM BARBARO that make it worthwhile.
WE BELIEVE!!!
I for one am so happy to be a part of this “cult”. I haven’t posted on this thread, but have followed it daily since it’s inception. I can’t thank you who are in the know enough for giving us updates on such a frequent basis. ONce again Barbaro is proving that miracles do happen.
Thanks, Alex:
Update 1314: Mrs. Jackson just called (about noon time) to confirm Barbaro’s status after her visit. He is comfortable, and was eating his grass, apples, pears and a carrot during Mrs. Jackson’s visit. She then asked me how Hawty Creek was doing! I was talking to Mrs. Jackson while in the local store, Prizzios. As soon as our conversation was over Ron, the owner, asked me how Barbaro was doing. I could give him a real-time report!
update, 12:30 pm, friday, january 12
