Imagine the pressure on dr. richardson. He has the whole country depending on him to keep this horse going. As much as I want him to pull through- it was a longshot from day one. I keep trying to tell myself that anyway… that horse has been through so much- I just hope he keeps on fighting and his body heals quickly.
This is the first thing I do each morning…check on VB’s posts and see how Bobby is doing…After reading the updates from last night and this morning I am so, so sad. I can’t imagine what those who know Bobby personally must be feeling. My prayers and super jingles are still heading north. All of us who have had incredibly wonderful horses that have battled serious injuries, laminitis, founder, etc. all know the emotional roller coaster. I appreciate most the remarks made about not even considering giving up yet…of course that can change in a matter of seconds if his condition worsens.
Thank you for staying with this for us VB.
VB thank you for your continues interest and up dates. We are pulling for jim. I wish to compare him to Hoist the Flag and Nureyev instead of Rufian. He has a chance and I hope he makes it… JINGLES for Barbaro!
I watch his left foot almost with more interest for my horse has the same shoe on!
it is early I meant to write him not jim sorry…
Barbaro needs our MEGA jingles!
I think that given the cascade of events in the past week, perhaps it is time for all people who love horses of all breeds, those people who love a hero- with four legs or two, and anyone else out there with a pulse, to get together to send a massive wave of goodwill and healing thoughts to Bobby- and perhaps it is time to do it all at once.
I am thinking our boy may need the serious MEGA-jingle- the one with the greatest power in the universe behind it- love.
Whether you believe in a higher power, or the healing power of nature, or just have a good thought to send, perhaps we can pick a time- maybe 3PM EST today?- to have everyone you can contact on the net- in groups, on boards, wherever you are part of a community of any kind- and get out the word…and maybe it is something that needs doing EVERY day, until Bobby is grazing in Kentucky, looking forward to a Spring season of mares…
What do you guys think? I am going to post this below, to see if we can get a movement going!
Jingles From Canada
I am jingling so hard B. You have touched my heart and I am hoping that you get through this. You are surrounded by love. Hooves crossed and jingles are steady.
Mega-jingles for Bobby from the Avemaster and me.
I do think it’s important though to remember that the folks writing these stories are sportswriters, NOT horse people for the most part. So even though they are reporting to the very best of their ability, they may in fact simply be getting things NQR just by virtue of the fact that all this stuff is new to them and they don’t really understand the terminology.
From trying to read between the lines, my take is that Barbaro has either (a) 2 abscesses in the (good) left hind foot, (b) 1 abscess that they thought they had got rid of but haven’t, or © possibly it’s the same one and is a tunnel abscess that’s working its way around the hoof. In any event, not a DESPERATELY big deal, except of course that it forces him to put more weight on the RH, which of course he can’t do.
I would think that there is still all kinds of stuff that they can try.
But of course we’ll be jingling like crazy anyway!!
Update 207: The Baltimore Sun covers the same problem in the “good” leg that was covered by the New York Times (update 205): Barbaro suffers another setback (thanks Sarah). Please read in full. Someone in the comments noted that it was a positive signal that I even saw Michael this morning. Oddly I had the same thought, and had mentioned it to Michael earlier (that I was relieved to see him at Fair Hill). I am not sure if he heard me to be honest.
MEGA jingles - mega jingles - mega jingles
Mega jingles for our hero- how heartbreaking for him and his people, to have some so far and…well, you all know…
Curb chains on, and all healing thoughts and prayers directed towards Barbaro- Keep at it, Mr B- we’re rooting for you…
Come on Bobby!
With the whole world rooting for you Bobby you have to get better. I am sending big CA jingles and follow your story daily!:sadsmile: It is a sad story.:sadsmile:
To VB thanks for the updates and links you provide. Please tell all involved we are sending positive vibes!
Jingles continue…makes me so sad, but I’m grateful for the updates
jingle jingle jingle jingle…
Update 208: New Bolton Center press release this morning echoes other recent news: Barbaro’s condition guarded (thanks Sarah):
Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro is continuing to rest comfortably today according to Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “As we said yesterday, Barbaro’s condition is potentially serious, and we are aggressively seeking all treatment options,” he said. “Today we will focus on further diagnostics and keeping our patient comfortable.” Barbaro is being treated for fractures received at the Preakness on May 20 as well as discomfort in his left hind foot.
“He’s facing tough odds and his condition is guarded,” said Dr. Richardson. “Our entire staff is determined to do all they can for this magnificent horse.” All decisions are being made in constant consultation with the owners, who continue to be only interested in his comfort.
Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the George D. Widener Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center.
Watch for a media advisory for a press conference later this week.
On a lighter note (needed) Tim told me a funny story this morning. His friend Mike, who visits Tim’s barn each saturday morning and now has a horse that may come to training in time, was at Delaware Park. He was talking with someone in the office there, and asked her if she knew Tim Woolley. She said no, but I am on his site right now, and showed him the computer screen! Not sure many trainers can say their web-site is more famous than they are!
Jingling like crazy in Virginia for Barbaro!!! C’mon boy, you can make it!!! You’re stronger than this and have a life of hanging in the pasture eating treats ahead of you! Fight it off for you, and to show horse owners and vets that you all can survive!!!
Barbaro less than 50-50 for survival
Jul. 12, 2006. 01:29 PM
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. — Barbaro’s condition turned “potentially serious” again Wednesday, a day after the Kentucky Derby winner’s veterinarian gave a more upbeat report, saying the colt was stable and resting comfortably.
Dean Richardson, the chief surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, also said the colt faced “tough odds” and that doctors were looking at all possible treatments to keep the 3-year-old comfortable.
Several days after the colt had his cast changed for the fourth time in a week, Barbaro’s condition suffered another setback seven weeks after his catastrophic injuries in the Preakness Stakes on May 20.
“Our entire staff is determined to do all they can for this magnificent horse,” Richardson said in a statement issued by the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals.
Barbaro, who shattered three bones in his right hind leg at the start of the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course, has undergone three surgical procedures in the past week. In the most recent one Saturday, Richardson replaced the titanium plate and 27 screws and also treated several infections — one in the injured leg and a small abscess on the sole of his uninjured left hind hoof.
“Today we will focus on further diagnostics and keeping our patient comfortable,” Richardson said.
Barbaro’s recovery had been going smoothly until this recent series of setbacks. Saturday’s surgery lasted three hours, and Richardson replaced the hardware that had been inserted into the leg May 21, the day after the Preakness.
“He’s facing tough odds and his condition is guarded,” Richardson said.
Owner Roy Jackson said the sudden changes in Barbaro’s condition has made this week very tough for him He continues to visit Barbaro every day and said the colt’s appearance Tuesday “looked all right. He looked good.”
“We’ve been concerned all along,” Jackson said Wednesday. “It’s just one of those things. It’s very difficult to climb the mountain when something like that happened.”
A major concern centres on the infection in the right rear pastern joint — located above the hoof that was shattered into more than 20 pieces. While most of the fractured bones have healed, the joint that connects the long and short pastern bones remains problematic.
Barbaro also was treated for small abscess on the sole of his uninjured left hind hoof. That could increase the risk of laminitis, a potentially fatal disease sometimes brought on by uneven weight balance.
“There’s so much concern. It’s significant,” Richardson said in The Washington Post on Wednesday. “Two weeks ago, we were at 50-50 (for survival). With this new problem, we are less than that.”
All decisions are being made after consulting with owners Gretchen and Roy Jackson, the statement said.
Jingling madly.
Update 209: No update, but someone in the comments asked about the naming of Barbaro. Anita’s response made me smile:
Linda Lee - I read a cute story about the name Barbaro. BEFORE the Kentucky Derby, Michael Matz was being interviewed and was asked by the interviewer what the name Barbaro meant. Michael Matz turned to Peter Brette, the assistant trainer, and repeated the question. Peter Brette immediately replied “KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER!”.
Lynette then provided the more official version of the name, from the link: Batting 1.000:
Paraphrasing:
Mrs. Jackson had foxhunted and competed at hunter trials for much of her life.
Barbaro got his name from a foxhound in a five-panel 1880’s painting the Jackson’s discovered in Mr. Jackson’s mother’s attic after her death. Each dog had their name written at the bottom of their picture. They chose the hound on the right-hand side, Barbaro. The painting is now in the family room.
It has been speculated that the Jackson’s will name Bobby’s full brother (the cute foal we have pictures of) after another hound in the painting.
The following article from yesterday: Trainer reports that Barbaro is resting quietly notes Michael’s win yesterday and discusses Barbaro’s condition yesterday (I think the articles we cited in update 207 and 205 are more recent), including the following about his weight:
According to Gretchen Jackson, Barbaro, whose right hind leg was shattered in the May 20 Preakness, had lost a lot of weight while recovering from the initial surgery on May 21. He had gained that back before getting a fever and showing discomfort in his hind legs about 10 days ago. Now, after four cast changes and a very long, involved surgery Saturday night into Sunday, Barbaro is trying to recover from all that.
I read the Nureyev story and could not help but notice how much worse N’s chances frequently looked than B’s do even now, and yet he pulled through. On a similar note, one of my horses was given a less than 10% chance of survival 5 years ago. It took her 4 months to regain her health (and full working soundness), but, knock on wood, she hasn’t had a problem of any significance since.
With constant vigilance, it is amazing what these creatures can get through. I still have high hopes for Barbaro-- especially with so many excellent people working so hard to keep on top of each and every complication as it occurs.
Jingling away here in Texas.
VB my heart caught in my throat when I saw your latest update. I will pray hard for Barbaro as if he was my own. It would be such a triumph to see him survive and be happily grazing in his pasture one day. :sadsmile: :sadsmile:
