I was hoping to hear whether the infection in his right leg was any better. Is it too soon to tell?
What an amazing boy he is!!! I too have images of him boinging around his stall going “weeeeee”.:yes: :lol: I know my son used to love his jolly jumper, he would spend hours in it if I let him.
Still Jinglin like mad here.
the fetlock fusion is unchanged.
That doesn’t sound like good news to me. The way I understand it, that joint HAS to fuse for him to be weight-bearing sound.
But at least it is a longer term concern, not critical at this point.
I also wanted to say a big thank you to VirginiaBred for all the timely updates and to others on this board for the information and discussions. It’s great to be able to come here and get reliable information about Barbaro’s recovery from people who understand horses.
Since our daughter started riding three years ago and we bought our first pony in March of this year we’re still learning the basics. I can’t add much to the discussions, but I’m learning a lot from all of you.
Janet, I believe the fetlock fusion was the one that had been progressing well; the fact that it’s unchanged means nothing has come loose. It’s the pastern that was problematic before, and the fact that that plate is “intact” indicates to me that it hasn’t warped or shifted, so that the fusion can take place as desired.
Just a different reading I had of the same thing, and I’m no expert. But it often seems with these medical updates that the more uneventful the language, the better.
Ah, Thanks. I was remembering it the other way round for some reason.
I am amazed at the outpouring of support and greatly enjoy the updates here. I do find it sad however that people will spend such an huge amount of money on flowers and such…the money could be used so much more constructively if it were sent to TRF or CANTER. Somewhat like they do when someone passes away “in lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to…” It just seems that it would make so much more of an impact.
I love that they post such frequent updates on Barbaro, just that takes much time and effort.
Update 269: Mike Schuh jut called to say that the piece he did at Fair Hill this morning for WJZ / CBS, which includes interviews with Tim and I, will air between 6:10 and 6:20 pm. It should be about a two minute clip, he was not sure since it is now in editing. Shortly after it airs it will be on their website: wjz.com. Someone posted this website of Bobby pictures from the Bloodhorse before the Derby. I assume these images were not widely distributed at the time, I would not have got 6 - 1!
Update 268: A couple of articles include a telephone interview with Michael Matz this morning: Barbaro’s trainer cautiously encouraged with stability and Barbaro’s trainer is encouraged. Michael Matz’s quotes from the articles are:
“He could take a turn for the worse or get an infection again, you just don’t know,” Matz said in a telephone interview. “It’s just a slow road now. If he keeps having days like he’s having now, then hopefully everything will be fine.”
Although Tuesday’s official medical update has not been released yet, Matz said Barbaro vet Dean Richardson told him the Kentucky Derby winner had another restful night and his vital signs were normal.
“He said they’re very happy with the X-rays yesterday of both hind legs,” Matz said.
and
“He’s a fighter. He’s doing the best he can,” Matz said. “They’re doing all the best to save the horse. That’s all we can do. That’s all we can hope for is what’s happening right now.”
and
“It’s a difficult situation,” Matz said. “I’ve had two before with it and we lost both of them.”
and
“You have to be prepared for anything, obviously,” Matz said. “I’m optimistic because I want him to live.”
Thank you again VB for your info. I always check my email before I leave the house in the am.
I also have to agree that the TRF’s of the world could be a better place for the flowers and carrots being put into Barbaro. He has a loving family that is doing all that can be done. MAybe we could make donations in his name?BUt where would one start? I got my horse from a very small rescue here in NY? There are so many…
Still jingling here in NY!
“Maybe we could make donations in his name?BUt where would one start?”
Why don’t we start by making a donation to our favorite or local rescue, TRF or CANTER, Exceller fund or wherever and tell them it is in honor of Barbaro?
It obviously wouldn’t be trackable, but those who receive it would recognize that publicity of this kind CAN be helpful to everyone.
From Bloomberg.com
Kentucky Derby Winner Barbaro Has Cast Change, Remains Stable July 18 (Bloomberg) – Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro had the casts on his injured hind legs replaced by doctors using a light sedative.
The 3-year-old colt, who shattered his right hind ankle in the opening strides of the Preakness Stakes on May 20, remains in stable condition, doctors at the University of Pennsylvania’s George D. Widener Hospital said in a statement today.
Barbaro has adapted to being suspended in a sling, which allowed surgeons to use the light sedative rather than general anesthesia when they replaced the casts yesterday, said Dr. Dean Richardson, the hospital’s chief surgeon.
He is a very intelligent horse,'' Richardson said. Barbaro had surgery on his broken ankle on May 21 and more recently has been treated for a life-threatening bout of laminitis, an inflammation that required the removal of 80 percent of his left hoof on July 12. Richardson said he took radiographs of the right leg yesterday, checked the incision where he had cleaned out an infection and replaced the hardware holding the bones together to fuse the ankle. The cast covers Barbaro's foot up to the hock. The leg and the incision looked as good as we could have hoped,’’ Richardson said today in a statement issued by the hospital in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, 35 miles southwest of Philadelphia.
A modified foot cast on the left leg acts as a bandage to give support to the area where the hoof was removed. Laminitis occurs when a horse stands with its weight unequally distributed.
Richardson said that cast would be changed frequently for treatment of the hoof, which will take at least five to six months to grow back.
Barbaro had a restful night in the hospital’s intensive care unit, Richardson said.
Barbaro’s recovery back on track, doctor says
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. // After a week of alarm and setback, Barbaro appeared to be back in the recovery mode yesterday in this rural southeastern Pennsylvania setting.
The Kentucky Derby winner enjoyed his second consecutive good night at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, and remained stable - two days after his condition was downgraded to guarded.
“His heart rate and pulse are normal, and his appetite is good,” Dr. Dean Richardson said in a release from the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. “He continues to respond well, looks good and has a positive attitude.”
Flowers and fruit baskets continue to arrive in droves from an adoring public after a week in which it appeared Barbaro’s recovery from multiple fractures in his right hind leg had come to an abrupt halt.
On Friday, by unofficial count, a hospital receptionist said there had been no fewer than 50 deliveries of bouquets or snacks for the horse.
Barbaro broke his leg in three places with a misstep in the first 100 yards of the Preakness Stakes on May 20, and underwent a 4 1/2 -hour operation the next day.
Since then, he has gone through three more surgical procedures, including one to treat an infection in his right leg - and for cast changes.
Eighty percent of Barbaro’s left rear hoof was removed Wednesday after he developed an acute case of laminitis, a disease that is often fatal in horses.
The dark bay had been fitted with fiberglass casts on both hind legs, as well as a body sling that allows him to move around.
Yesterday was Barbaro’s 56th full day in intensive care at the New Bolton Center.
“We continue to monitor him very closely and we are keeping him as comfortable as possible,” Richardson said.
Thanks again, VB. I’m so grateful that you’re doing this.
I love those pictures on BH…so cool! I pray the recovery will continue on the upswing…
As written by Alex:
Update 270: Before the WJZ piece airs this evening I thought I would provide a bit of background about the events prior to and during the “shoot”.
Mike Schuh mentioned last week, after he e-mailed us the nice video clip they did at New Bolton Center, that he would be interested in doing a piece on the web-site. When he mentioned this I assumed it would be a written piece. He said he would get back to me early next week (this week) to arrange a time (I assumed this would then be a phone call interview). Mike called yesterday and said he planned to come up to Fair Hill this morning, and bring a camera. We discussed the best time to arrive, and truly it is before the sun gets too hot, so he planned to get here about 6 AM. Usually I get on my first horse at 5:30, this morning, my first horse was scheduled for 6. As I was about to get on the first horse (for Paul Rowland) I noticed I had a voice-mail. I called, it was Mike, he had arrived, had dropped his camera guy off close to the track and was waiting at the first barn. The first horse I was getting on was actually from another barn, and I was taking him “out back”, i.e. not to the training track. I called Mike back (at this time I was already on my first horse going to the fields) and told him I would be by the first barn at 6:30, Mike went to the track to catch up with his camera guy.
I was kind of stressing a little as I was thinking that perhaps these guys would take the opportunity to get some information from Michael Matz, and I was wondering how I was going to get the info. for my first update if these guys were around etc. etc. Perhaps Michael Matz would be a little annoyed by the whole thing (none of this turned out to be correct of course!)
Anyway, I got back to the first barn, and I was now getting on my second horse (for Judge Jackson), which was going to go in company with one of Tim’s horse’s with Tim riding. I met Mike, and also the camera guy, Joel Eagle. Immediately my fears for their intent to use this as an opportunity to get content from Michael Matz etc. ended. They both just seemed like cool guys. They miked me up, and off to the track we went (me and Tim). Joel took some footage of us getting on the horse (she scooted from under me, I hope they edited out the …). Tim and I galloped our horses just over a mile, we jogged a ways first. As we were riding I tried to make some relevant comments etc. I still had not got an update from Michael for the site at this stage (it was 6:50ish and usually the time I can get an update) so I was stressing about that a little. We rode the horses back to the barn. The plan was then for me and Tim to ride a couple of Tim’s horses, but Joel and Mike were going to stay behind in the barn. Mike interviewed Tim for about five to ten minutes while I went to see if I could get the necessary update. I walked back up the horsepath (without a horse) and found Michael (Matz). I walked back down the horsepath with Michael who gave me the positive news which I reported in update 265.
At that point I called the update in to Jen to put on the site. I did this in proximity of Joel, Mike and Tim. I think some of it was on camera.
Tim and I went out on our next set (Tim had now been interviewed). When we returned Mike and Joel were talking to Kathy Anderson. I do not think this was on camera. I was then interviewed, for about ten minutes. Mike asked great questions, and it was done in a very relaxing manner. I am sure there is an art to that! Mike and Joel then departed (about 8:10 AM) and I got on my next horse, just before the renovation break.
It was a great experience. Joel and Mike were really cool to work with. I have subsequently learned that each is a multiple emmy award winner. I am glad I did not know that beforehand, I might have fallen off!
Thank you as always VAbred for the updates. It is greatly appreciated!
It would certainly honour Barbaro in a real and effective way to make a donation - however small - to CANTER and the EXCELLER FUND, or one of the other rescues. The need is so great, and yet that small donation, which you may think can’t possibly help, could very well be the difference between that horse being rescued or going on the meat truck.
You can do this by paypal or just mail a cheque.
Write on the cheque, or in a message to them, that the money is being sent to help Thoroughbred horses in the name of the horse who epitomizes the courage and heart of the Thoroughbred horse…
I know they are DESPARATE for help…CANTERSoIl is in difficult straits… and the smallest donation can make a huge difference.
www.canterusa.org is the place to start. or google Exceller Fund
Then send a card to Barbaro at NB and write on it that a donation has been made in your honour…
Hang in there Bobby, we are praying for you!
now, how do I change my signature to add Team Barbaro to it?
I wonder if it might be more effective if Canter or Exceller created a “Barbaro Fund” with contact info and info on it’s uses. They could then post that info on threads like this (as if there were another quite like this!) and possibly ask Barbaro’s connections if they would endorse it.
It would be nice to have a fund in Barbaro’s honor that could be used for rehabbing other OTTBs I think if the word could be gotten out to more of the public, they might choose this route rather than the flowers, etc.
And for those of us for whom Bobby is symbolic of all our horses, ANY rescue/sanctuary that has already earned your respect has certainly earned a donation in honor of boy. All of them are hurting, whether they specialize in helping thoroughbreds, or no-breds. Heck, my rescue-of-choice even helps long-ears… and yes, my next donation will be in honor of Bobby.
For what it’s worth, Susan P has another thread going about Other OTTB, Many Not so Lucky…
That thread may have some good ideas.
LIGHT A CANDLE FOR BARBARO …
As of now, there are 883 candles lit for “Bobby” … let’s see if we can make it a thousand … that’s only 117 of you wonderful people reading this to go to www.gratefulness.org and light a candle of Gratitude.
Here’s the actual link: http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=barba
just lit one
