still praying
This is from the ESPN update…this is what is so heart wrenching to me…
"Perhaps what makes it even more wrenching is that the horse is acting normal.
“This horse, you look at him in the stall – his ears are up, he’s bright. He’s looking around,” Richardson said.
Dr. Richardson himself is a horseman…Barbaro will let him know if he can’t fight anymore…it certainly helps that Rob Sigafoos one of the best farriers in the world is there to help too.
Thanks to everyone for the updates.
Barbaro
Tradewinds:
First of all, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved mare.
Everyone deals with death differently. If we own animals, whether they are horses, dogs, cats, or gerbils, we know at some time they will be taken from us. Sometimes we have to make the heart wrenching decisions on behalf of those we care for, other times it is out of our hands and fate decides for us. I lost 2 horses in a barn fire last year. I miss them terribly.
We cannot participate in the decision making process of the Jacksons. We can only watch from the sidelines and support the decisions the owners make. Just as we support Faith with her beloved Inferno. Is it heartbreaking? Yes. Is it difficult to read? Yes. When the time is right for the Jacksons, Faith, or the rest of us, the answer of what to do will come.
Point wel made
Shay Darra thank you for your post:yes: which,Imagine was difficult to do; Thank you for sharing your experiences with us you , and, your horse have given us the gift of your experience so well stated;; :yes: I am wondering is there a support group for horse owners grieving for their horses??I suspect his is an area which has little discussed but, which needs to be researched, and discussed.I understand, in my case it has been 5 years and /i grieve daily at some point in some:( fashion. lately of course with Barbaro in the news it has been nearly constant, and,as I try to remind myself as deal with my own "chronic 
pain " that I am grateful that she is not experiencing the same:yes: yet I still find-myself praying every night praying to See her again, and,then it hits me "“things are as they are . as dear Niel says” and I can do nothing to change ; she that; Clearly I could use some therapy though I remember a therapist who, specialized in grief therapy whose group was in; she said “tears 
are never bad only no tears tears is bad”, I repeat Autumn farms lovely tribute, which is on my desktop, and, will eventually be on my website , "Say not with sadness they are are no more but, with gladness they were ":yes:
Transcript of the news conference -
http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro_Transcript7-13.pdf
What a class act!! If they’re not ready to give up, I’m not either.
Instead of arguing about what the doctors should or shouldn’t do and whether or not Barbaro should be euthanised, lets just stop wasting energy on things like this that we have no control over and pray for Barbaro…he needs us to do that for him more than he needs us to comtemplate his future. I think we should keep this board for updates and encouragement…take debating elsewhere. (and I’m not trying to be rude or mean, I just want to be able to check up on Barbaro and not have to read three pages of people debating the laminitis issue.) Thanks!
Meanwhile…no real update from NB today, but their page for today has links to some good articles, and almost every link has a video:
http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro_Update7-13.htm
More jingles for Barbaro! C’mon, Bobby, keep fighting!
Many continued Thanks to Tim Woolley & Alex, for these updates:
Update 222: New Bolton has released a copy of the transcript for today’s press conference.
As an aside, I think what the Associated Press is putting out for reports is excellent and not dumbed down for a non-equine informed audience. The rub is when local stations have to condense reports for time or feel the need to ‘pick and choose’ elements.
AP/ESPN/NTRA Jul 13, 5:49 PM EDT “Painful hoof condition led to death of Secretariat”
(ESPN video with Jeanine Edwards’ report on that page as well)
AP Thu, Jul. 13, 2006 “Barbaro’s fans saddened after latest news”
There were only a handful of visitors Thursday who taped their signs expressing prayers and well wishes to the fence that surrounds the sprawling, 650-acre campus. Inside, only a smattering of cards from weeks ago remained, some from May 26. Nothing appeared new and the ones wishing for a speedy recovery seemed sadly dated.
Thanks for Dr. Richardson and all his skill. Thanks for the graciousness of the Michael Matz, the Jacksons and kudos to evey person who has fought the good battle to make Barbaro comfortable and a suvivor to this point. I could care less what others think about what should or should not be done. The decisions about Bobby’s care are up to the Jacksons and their Vets and not any of us. They love him more than any of us could or do , so let’s support them and believe that whatever the outsome they are making the best decision for the right reasons. As someone who cared for a horse with two broken bones for over a year I can tell you all the armchair quarterbacking and various negative and second guessing comments did nothing but hurt the situation. Thank goodness I listened only to my heart, my horse and my vets who I trusted completely. When others lost hope for my horse I decided to listen only to my horse and today he is still with me pain free. It was very tough at times but by the sheer grace of prayer, quality vet care and supportive friends he managed to survive.
I am praying, jingling and lighting candles that Barbaro will recover and that the best decisions will be made for his continued care. If in the end he does not survive I can feel comfortable that he has been given love and the best care possible. I choose to believe that those in charge are listening to the horse. Barbaro will make the decision if and when he has nothing left to give to the fight and then the right decicion will be made. GOD BLESS YOU BARBARO!!! CONTINUE THE FIGHT GOOD BOY!
Update 223: Just spoke to Kathy Anderson (Barbaro’s Fair Hill vet) who visited Bobby this afternoon (she was just leaving at 6 pm when I spoke to her). She said he remains comfortable, as comfortable as he was when she visited yesterday. She noted the many gifts that had been arriving for Bobby all day (I am guessing many of them are from people commenting on this site). Kathy fed some carrots to Bobby, part of a very elaborate gift sent by Margaret from Beaufort, SC. The nursing staff were also feeding him cut grass and corn husks (chopped up for him).
VirginiaBred,
Thank you for the updates! Texas sized jingles for such a remarkable horse!
And I agree, let’s keep this thread to the updates and not the what if’s.
photos
Not sure if the link will work, but there are pictures of Barbaro today on the wire – probably most easily found on yahoo.
He looks better than I’d think, and I think the pictures reinforce what the doctor said about him being bright.
current pictures
I was wondering what the sling looked like. Amazing “contraption” ! He looks very thin, but he is just a baby and has been through so much. I’m in with everyone else praying he makes it…
Laminitis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
discussion page for details.
[URL=“http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Laminitic.jpg/200px-Laminitic.jpg”]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Laminitic.jpg/200px-Laminitic.jpg [URL=“http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png”]http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png
X-Ray of a foot showing relative rotation of the pedal bone and the hoof capsule as well as some sinking. While laminitis is present, this is an example of rotational founder
Laminitis is a disease of the sensitive laminae of the foot in a horse. The front hooves are most commonly affected, although the hind feet are sometimes affected. Its name means inflammation of the laminae, but so far inflammation is no more considered as the key mechanism of it.
Foundering and sinking
[URL=“http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Founder_severe_rotation.JPG/200px-Founder_severe_rotation.JPG”]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Founder_severe_rotation.JPG/200px-Founder_severe_rotation.JPG [URL=“http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png”]http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png
Hoof specimen, sagittal section. Severe hoof capsule rotation and P3 penetration into the sole
Foundering and sinking are two possible consequences of one, or repeated, laminitic episodes; the latter is less common and much more severe.
Sinking results when there is a cataclysmic failure of the interdigitation between the sensitive and insensitive laminae around the entire perimeter of the hoof. Apparently this event allows the entire bony column, often described by its most distal bone, the third phalanx (aka: PIII, P3, coffin bone, pedal bone) to sink to the bottom of the hoof capsule.
Foundering occurs when the damage to the laminae is less severe, and it will show up mainly in the toe area of the foot. A possible reason for this is the pull of the tendon attached to the coffin bone, the deep flexor tendon, literally pulling the dorsal face of the coffin bone away from the inside of the hoofwall. It is also theorized that the body weight of the animal contributes to rotation of the coffin bone. Rotation results in an obvious misalignment between PII (the short pastern bone) and PIII (the coffin bone/pedal bone). In some cases, the rotation may also result in PIII penetrating the sole and being exposed externally.
Depending upon the severity at the onset of the pathology, there may be no movement of the pedal bone, rotation only, sinking only or a combination of both the latter, to varying extents. It is generally agreed that a severe “sinker” warrants the gravest prognosis and may, depending upon many factors, including the quality of after care, age of the horse, diet and nutrition, skill, knowledge and ability of the attending veterinarian and farrier(s), lead to euthanasia of the patient.
Not all horses that experience laminitis will founder, but all horses that founder systemically will first experience laminitis.
In laminitis cases, a clear distinction must be made between the acute situation, starting at the onset of a laminitis attack and a chronic situation. A chronic situation can be either stable or unstable. The difference between acute, chronic, stable and unstable is of vital importantance, when choosing a treatment protocol.
Founder can be mechanical or systemic, unilateral (on one foot) or bilateral (on two feet). Laminitis may also occur in all four feet.
Systemic founder is associated with laminitis and is the result of the partial dysfunction of the epidermal and dermal laminae, which attach the distal phalanx to the hoof wall. With this dysfunction, the deep digital flexor tendon (which attaches to the semi-luner crest of the distal phalanx and serves to flex the foot) is able to pull the bone away from the wall, instead of flexing the foot. When the coffin bone is pulled away from the hoofwall, the remaining laminae will tear. This may lead to abcesses, within the hoof capsule, that can be severe and very painful. Also, a laminar wedge may form, between the front of the hoof wall and the pedal bone. This laminar wedge may, in some cases, prevent the proper re-attachment (interdigitation) of the laminae. Under certain conditions and only after consultation with an experienced veterinarian and farrier team, a dorsal hoof wall resection, to remove this laminar wedge, may be undertaken.
Systemic founder is usually bilateral and is most common in the front feet, although it sometimes affects the hind feet.
Mechanical founder, commonly called “road founder” does not initially involve laminitis or rotation of the distal phalanx; instead the wall is pulled away from the bone or lost. Mechanical founder can occur when a horse habitually paws, is ridden or driven on hard surfaces or loses laminar function, due to injury or pathologies affecting the wall.
Mechanical founder can be either unilateral or bilateral and can affect both front and hind feet.
It is important to note that, once the distal phalanx rotates, it is essential to de-rotate and re-establish proper spatial orientation of p3 within the hoof capsule. With correct trimming and, as necessary, the application of orthotics, one can effect this re-orientation. It should be noted that this attempt at re-orientation may be less than one hundred per cent effective.
Successful treatment for any type of founder must necessarily involve stabilization of the bony column by some means. Stabilization can take many forms, but most include trimming the hoof to facilitate turnover and trimming the heels to ensure frog pressure. While some horses stabilize if left barefooted, some believe that the most successful methods of treating founder involve positive stabilisation of the distal phalanx, by mechanical means, e.g. shoes, pads, polymeric support, etc.
Steps taken to stabilize the bony column gain maximum effect when combined with steps that will reduce the pulling force of the flexor tendon attached to the coffin bone, the deep flexor tendon.
[edit]
Causes of laminitis
Many cases of laminitis are caused by more than one factor and are rather due to a combination of causes.
Carbohydrate overload
If a horse is given grain in excess, or eats grass that is under stress and has accumulated excess non-structural carbohydrates (sugar, starch, or fructan), it may be unable to digest all of the carbohydrate in the foregut. The excess then moves on to the hindgut, and ferments in the cecum. The presence of this fermenting carbohydrate in the cecum causes proliferation of lactic acid bacteria, and an increase in acidity. This process kills beneficial bacteria, which ferment fiber. The endotoxins and exotoxins may then be absorbed into the bloodstream, due to a ‘leaky gut syndrome’, caused by irritation of the gut lining by increased acidity. Circulation is restricted, particularly in the feet. This results in laminitis.
Laminitis can also be cause by insulin resistance in the horse. Insulin resistant horses tend to become obese very easily and, even when starved down, may have abnormal fat deposits on the neck, shoulders, loin, above the eyes, and around the tail head, even when the rest of the body is in normal condition. The mechanism by which laminitis associated with insulin resistance occurs is not understood, but may be triggered by sugar and starch in the diet of susceptible individuals. Ponies and breeds that evolved in harsh environments with only sparse grass tend to be more insulin resistant, possibly as a survival mechanism. Insulin resistant animals may get laminitis from only very small amounts of grain or high sugar grass. Slow adaptation to pasture is not effective, as it does to prevent laminitis via microbial population upsets. Insulin resistant horses with laminitis should be removed from all green grass and be fed only hay that is tested for Non Structual Carbohydrates (sugar, starch and fructan) and found to be below 11% NSC on a dry matter basis. Soaking hay underwater may remove excess carbohydrates and should be part of a first-aid treatment for any horse with laminitis associated with obesity or abnormal fat deposits.
Nitrogen compound overload
Herbivores are equipped to deal with a normal level of potentially-toxic non-protein nitrogen (NPN) compounds in their forage. If, for any reason, there is rapid upward fluctuation in levels of these compounds, for instance in lush spring growth on artificially-fertilized lowland pasture, the natural metabolic processes can become overloaded, resulting in liver disturbance and toxic imbalance. For this reason, many avoid using artificial nitrogen fertilizer on horse pasture.
Hard ground
Whenever possible, avoid working horses on hard ground. This includes concrete or gravel roads. An indoor or outdoor arena should be periodically dragged with a rake to loosen the soil and prevent it from hardening. Hard surfaces increase the concussion upon the horse’s feet. The greater and more prolonged the concussion, the more likely it is that the horse will contract laminitis.
Lush pastures
When releasing horses back into a pasture, after being kept inside (typically during the transition from winter stabling to spring outdoor keeping), it is important to re-introduce them gradually. Feed horses before turning them out and limit the amount of time outside (45 minutes to an hour at first, gradually increasing the amount of time) and decrease the amount fed to them beforehand, as the season progresses. If a horse consumes too much lush pasture, after a diet of dry hay, the excess carbohydrate of grass can be a shock to its digestive system. If the horse is fed beforehand, it will not eat as much fresh grass when turned out and will be less likely to founder.
Frosted grass
Some cases of laminitis have occurred after ingestion of frosted grass. The exact mechanism for this has not been explained but sudden imbalance of the normal bowel flora can be surmised, leading to endotoxin production.
Freezing or overheating of the feet
Cases of laminitis have been observed following an equine standing in extreme conditions of cold, especially if there is a depth of snow. Laminitis has also followed prolonged heating from incorrectly-applied hot-shoeing. In either case, it is possible to understand how the circulation of the feet may become adversely affected.
Untreated infections
Infections, particularly where caused by bacteria, can cause release of endotoxins into the blood stream, which may trigger laminitis. A retained placenta in a mare is a renowned cause of laminitis.
Colic
Laminitis can sometimes develop after a serious case of colic, due to the release of endotoxins into the blood stream.
Lameness
Lameness causes a horse to favor the injured leg, resulting in uneven weight distribution. This results in more stress on the healthy legs, and can result in laminitis.
Cushings disease
Cushings disease is common in older horses and ponies and causes an increased predisposition to laminitis.
Peripheral Cushings disease
Peripheral Cushings disease is an area of much new research and is increasingly believed to have a major role in laminitis. It involves many factors such as cortisone metabolism and insulin resistance. It has some similarities to type II diabetes in humans.
Retained placenta
It is common practice, in horse-breeding establishments, to check by careful inspection that the entire placenta has been passed, after the birth of a foal. It is known that mares that retain the afterbirth can founder, whether through toxicity or fever or both.
Drug reactions
There have been reports of laminitis following the administration of drugs, especially in the case of corticosteroids. The reaction may be an expression of idiosyncrasy in a particular patient.
Exposure to agro-chemicals
Even horses not considered to be susceptible to laminitis can become laminitic when exposed to certain agro-chemicals. The most commonly-experienced examples are herbicide and artificial nitrate fertiliser.
Symptoms of laminitis
Separation of the hoof wall
The destruction of the sensitive laminae results in the hoof wall becoming separated from the rest of the hoof. Pus may leak out at the white line or at the coronary band.
Rotation of the third phalanx
The third phalanx, also known as the coffin bone, rotates downward. Normally, the third phalanx should be parallel to the hoof wall, but in laminitis the tension of the deep digital flexor tendon allows the coffin bone to rotate. The degree of rotation is often determined by when laminitis is detected in the horse and by how soon actions are taken to treat the horse.
Penetration of the third phalanx through the sole
If rotation of the third phalanx continues, it can eventually penetrate the sole of the foot. Penetration of the sole is not fatal; many horses have been returned to service by aggressive treatment by a veterinarian and farrier, but the treatment is time-consuming, difficult and expensive.
Treatment
There is no cure for a laminitic episode, and many go undetected. However, a horse can live with laminitis for many years. Rest and corrective shoeing, can help improve a horse’s condition; it may be able to bear a rider, or even completely recover if the laminitis was not severe. Successful treatment requires a competent farrier and veterinarian, and success is not guaranteed.
The barefoot movement
Studies on hoof health by Dr. Hiltrud Strasser(Germany) and Jaime Jackson(US) first suggested an alternate, more optimistic view on laminitis, which is supported by proponents of the barefoot horse movement. This is an holistic approach to the disease, mainly based on pulling shoes, proper hoof care and trimming, diet, and movement.[1]
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Suggested reading
How do you know that he is hopped up on pain killers, do you work there, are you there looking at his chart?
I just watched video taken today of him in his sling munching on carrots and hay, very bright eyed (if he was hopped up, he would have a dull eye and not eat) and moving in the sling. He looked very aware of his surroundings and people there.
They are not doing a crap job, you can hear it in Dean’s voice, they truly care about this horse. Why would they go through all this?
He will let them know when he has had enough, they always do.
VB - thanks for keeping us all up-to-date.
MY prayers and jingles are still…
with the wonderful guy!!! He certainly looks very bright in the photos.
I know he is having the best of everything, and I dont believe anone should be second guessing Richardson or his owners!
I have a question?? I have been a bit behind, I heard he had another surgery today?? is that true??
tons and tons of jingles…May God Bless Them and Keep Them all in these difficult times
AMEN :sadsmile:
just pray
VB, again, many, many thanks for providing such accurate information.
No one would wish this situation on anyone, but it seems to me that everyone associated with Barbaro is really showing the same championship grace that he has demonstrated - on the track and now in the hardest race of his life. I’ve lost a horse to colic, much more quickly and privately, and I know only a teeny fraction of the weight and loneliness of the decisions Barbaro’s caregivers are facing.
The Jacksons, Michael Matz and his team and everyone at New Bolton has shown extraordinary grace and openness in a horrible situation, and I am constantly awed by their approachability and willingness to share with the world the struggle they face. Everyone involved has shown that they are all true horsemen to me, and I know that whatever may come, they will make their decisions based on what they believe to be the best for Barbaro. And they will do so I’m sure with the same fortitude and grace they have shown throughout.
Barbaro is a fighter, and so is his family. At this point, all we can offer is our prayers and thoughts of healing…to everyone involved. I agree that the photos show a horse who is still interested and involved, and I’m sure that as long as he shows a spark, his team will work to make things as good as they can be. Whatever comes next, I hope that they know that they have done everything and more, and they have only my admiration and respect.
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![[URL=“http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Laminitic.jpg/200px-Laminitic.jpg”]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Laminitic.jpg/200px-Laminitic.jpg](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Laminitic.jpg){kind=link}
![[URL=“http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Founder_severe_rotation.JPG/200px-Founder_severe_rotation.JPG”]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Founder_severe_rotation.JPG/200px-Founder_severe_rotation.JPG](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Founder_severe_rotation.JPG){kind=link}