Many thanks for the updates, links to videos, and the link to the candles. I just lit one.
I originally posted a link to the article VB already copied above (because I’m not that great at paying attention, i guess:) ) But anyway:
This line really struck me-
“Trying to save Barbaro’s life is noble and humane. And so is euthanizing him.”
How very true…when the time comes, if it does, they will know. Until then, we must continue to pray for Barbaro! His spirits are high; he’s telling them that for now, he’s ok, and I pray and hope it stays that way. He’s gone through so much, and he’s only 3 years old, but he acts so incredibly mature. Barbaro is truly my hero…he never gives up, and as long as there’s hope for survival, he’ll keep fighting. Let’s pray and hope that he pulls through this one.
He’s beaten the odds before, and he can do it again!
Can’t comment on whether to euthanize or not, as only those who know him can say when the time may come . . .
I am wondering, after seeing the above video, what kind of strain it puts on his body to turn so tightly. Seeing him move off from a halt to a walk in a tight circle with ALL his weight on his cast . . . and then in the other direction, with all his weight on his resectioned hoof (if I’ve got my facts right - haven’t been following closely) made me wince. I could barely watch that brief video. If the handler had just tried to get him a little more balanced on all four before turning or moving off, I think it would not have bothered me so.
With the amount of money being spent on him, surely they have access to a treadmill or some other way to get him moving briefly without turning him in such tight circles?? Or were they moving him simply to get his stall cleaned or something?
Thoughts? Enlighten me, please, if I’m missing something.
There is no way to avoid the tight turns as he is stall bound and will be turning on small radius’s for many, many months in recovery. I think this is very minor in the scheme of things and nothing to really worry about.
I was very, very glad to see how bright and alert he is and accepting of his new life as a patient. You can see he is completely at home in the hospital environment and completely trusts his caretakers and pays zero attention to whoever is working with some other part of his body. These are all great signs and make it clear that NB and his owners ARE making the right decision to keep treating him at this stage.
Additionally, I think he may be the most spoiled horse on the planet at this stage - it was clear that he absolutely expects that whoever is at his head keep those carrots, cards and letters coming! When he dropped his carrot and began tossing his head I laughed as it was clear he was trying to get doc’s attention to “PICK UP THE LOST CARROT… NOW!!” He is having many happy moments and getting lots of scritching and carrots…
so keep a curb chain with you today and keep jingling and praying!
Another candle has been lit . . .
Thanks VB, for all of your updates.
jingling, lighting a candle, and keeping Barbaro in my heart and thoughts.
Be strong, handsome lad.
Update 225: Must see: Web Extra: Latest Barbaro Video. It illustrates Bobby’s use of the sling, his mobility and to be honest, the sharpness about the look he retains. He appears inquisitive (I noticed a quick “ears pricking” moment), and obviously loves the carrots.
Jeannine Edwards left this comment regarding ESPNs coverage:
Thank you for the kind words. Just want to let you know, in case you noticed and were wondering why Barbaro’s tail looked so short in the ESPN footage from today (shot at 5pm by New Bolton staff) they had a rope around his tail when he was recovering from anesthesia Sat night (standard procedure) but it was a rough go, and most of his tail hairs were pulled out. As if the poor horse doesn’t have enough to deal with! I thought he walked well, and New Bolton clearly shot the footage to avoid speculation that Barbaro may be suffering. His eyes seemed a bit dull and tired to me, but keep in mind he’s on massive amounts of meds and was also sedated earlier in the day so they could work on his foot. He’s been through hell… I think he looked good considering. I was happy to see him putting good weight on the left hind foot. He’s a trooper. Very sad situation, but we must all hope for a miracle. We’ll have more updates tomorrow from New Bolton.
Jeannine
From Chris Woolley:
This is a florist in Kennett Square that will make anything you want!The Jackons are long time customers there and yes the cards and things have dropped off.
Kennett Florist, Inc.
610-444-6040
www.kennettflorist.net
Thank you again VB from the bottom of my heart. Your dedication to keeping us all informed is greatly appreciated. It’s heartbreaking to read the updates, but I keep praying for a miracle. :sadsmile:
Thank you for the video link. In my eyes, Barbaro looks good. I am the forever optimist and will continue hoping for the recovery that returns him to a painfree life.
The Nureyev story is amazing - thanks for that link as it helps with understanding just how long and hard a successful recovery can be.
I’ve been to the Barbara Livingston site numerous times since the injury, but had never before noticed this image:
http://www.barbaralivingston.com/gallery/album161/Whitespot
If ever there was a need for any ‘luck’ this could imbue, now is the time.
And thank you so very much, VB, for all you’ve posted, and for the latest link to the florists.
Has anyone else found themselves spending even more introspective, quiet time with their own horses these last couple days? I know I certainly have. They listen so well…
From Tim:
Update 226: Barbaro had a comfortable night last night (Thursday pm). He slept about 4-5 hours which is a clear signal of his comfort level. He was out of the sling for most of the night. I spoke to Michael Matz to get this news this morning (he had heard from Dr. Richardson). It was obvious in Michael’s expression that he was relieved to be able to provide this news.
Updated Friday 7:10am
Thank you Virginia Bred
For your regular updates and commitment to keeping us “in the know” as much as possible - this is my only stop - I learn more here than in the news reports 
So happy he had a good night, bless him.
Vet laments Barbaro’s laminitis
Sabin Russell, Chronicle Medical Writer
Friday, July 14, 2006
Laminitis, the painful foot malady that may well cut short the life of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, is one of the oldest and most common veterinary problems associated with horses.
It is painful for the horses, and painful for humans to think about.
"It is analogous to banging your finger with a hammer, and then having to stand on that finger,’’ said Dr. Tim Eastman, a horse veterinarian at Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic in Salinas.
Laminitis is a term for the inflammation of millions of laminae – the tissue that connects a horse’s foot bone to the horny material of its hoof. The inflammation causes excruciating pain and pressure, and in the most serious cases, causes the hoof to separate from the bone. When the bone starts to rotate within the loosened hoof, the horse is said to have “foundered.” In the most severe cases, laminae are starved from their blood supply and die, and the pointed tip of the bone punches through the bottom of the foot.
In a field where severe pain and poor prognosis is not tolerated, it is common to euthanize the suffering animal. That’s what happened to Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown winner and arguably the greatest racehorse ever. He came down with laminitis and was euthanized in 1989.
Barbaro was considered a strong contender to win the Triple Crown this year when he severely broke his right hind leg during the Preakness on May 20. He had won the Kentucky Derby two weeks earlier by 6 1/2 lengths.
During the six weeks Barbaro has been healing from his fractured leg, he shifted weight to his left, and the added strain brought on the laminitis. "The biggest challenge in fracture repair is preserving the good leg,’’ Eastman said. "When he broke his leg, we were talking about laminitis that day.’’
Eastman has been following the thoroughbred’s battle to recover particularly closely, because he and his wife – who is also a horse veterinarian – traveled to Churchill Downs and watched him win the Kentucky Derby. "He won that race, and wasn’t even breathing hard. We thought we would win the Triple Crown,’’ he said.
Eastman also knows Dr. Dean Richardson, the University of Pennsylvania veterinarian who is caring for Barbaro. "He is one of the most recognized equine orthopedic surgeons in the world,’’ Eastman said.
There are multiple causes of laminitis, and they illustrate the complexity of horse biology. The animals may come down with it after moving to a pasture rich in tall, fresh grasses, or if they overeat a bucket of grains. The dietary changes alter the bacteria in their gut, and these bacteria produce toxins that can cause inflammation in their feet. Another common trigger is incomplete expulsion of a placenta after a broodmare gives birth – causing a systemic illness with a similar inflammatory response.
Laminitis can be treated with painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and medicines that dilate blood vessels – to keep blood flowing to the threatened area. Specially made shoes can also help reduce or redistribute the weight of the horse on the inflamed hoof.
However, it is still a notoriously difficult disease to treat. Thoroughbreds weigh between 1,000 and 1,200 pounds. Keeping weight off a diseased hoof with a sling can create digestive problems and pressures sores, so the use of slings has to be limited. In more serious cases, surgeons can cut part of the hoof away, which is what surgeons did with Barbaro on Wednesday. Eastman has published a study of another procedure, where the tendon at the back of the foot is cut to relieve pressure on the bone. About 60 percent of the horses, most of which would otherwise be euthanized, survived the procedure.
Most horses can recover from lesser bouts of laminitis, but they may be forever lame because of scar tissue left at the site of the inflammation.
Barbaro’s case has been described as “acute laminitis,” a term often used for the most serious type of foundering. Richardson has been frank that the thoroughbred’s chances of survival are now slim.
“Unfortunately, the prognosis is not very good,” Eastman said. "If it is going bad now, it’s terribly sad, but not terribly surprising. The old adage, ‘No foot, no horse,’ is still true today.’’
E-mail Sabin Russell at srussell@sfchronicle.com.
to The Powers that be,
please be with Barbaro and his family as the struggle for recovery continues, renew their strength, and let them absorb all the hope and love that comes from the masses that have kept vigil. please let the strength of his youth, his family and his friends have influence at this critical moment. most of all, let his most profound heart sing for all time.
whichever way fate takes him, i hope he gets to see the outdoors at least once more. to smell fresh air, feel a breeze, taste live grasses, see the sunlight…
have to go hug my own horses now…
BEAUTIFUL sentiment, thanks. Hug every horse each day.
We have all been through the roller coaster ride of emotion for a horse fighting for his life. I pray that Barbaro will make it, he has all the best care and love he can have, now it is up to God.
Amen to what Captain posted. Have a lit candle, prayers and jingles here.
Thanks, VB and everyone, for these great updates. This the first place I go in the morning. I’m not giving up on Bobby!
Last night one of the male boarder at my barn caught me hugging his horse :lol: . Big horse, so I had to reach way up to get my arms around his neck. I think the owner thought I was nuts. I explained about Barbaro and that I needed to give every horse an extra hug. A little later I found the boarder giving my mare carrots and scratches :winkgrin: .
Today I’ll light another candle for Bobby and give all the horses extra hugs again.
Thanks for this beautiful prayer captain. I almost dread checking in each morning now for fear of seeing what is appearing to be the inevitable. I am so sad and having gone down the laminitis path before, I am losing hope for this magnificant horse. I jingle for strength for all of us and Barbaro & Co.
Thanks so much again for the updates, and for me too, this is the first place I check in the morning as soon as I get to work. Our thoughts and prayers are with Barbaro and all of those wonderful people who are giving him every possible chance. What an incredible horse, to say the very least. Godspeed Barbaro.
