A friend of mine used A-cell for her horse’s suspensory injury and he is back working 100% so I hope he has the same luck! Would there be a possibiblity to find out what supplements he is on? I know that is asking a lot. But I would love to know… JINGLES for Barbaro!
Anderson also said doctors are using a substance called “A-cell” on his left foot bandage. It is a membrane that helps stimulate new tissue growth. Barbaro is also being given nutritional supplements to help in the re-growing of his left hind foot, which is necessary for his survival.
Glucosamine and chondroitin–excellent! I had wondered about that. Anybody know anything about A-cell? I searched on it but found nothing. Sounds like NBC did their homework.
I was speaking of this one… which is Run For The Roses, by Dan Fogleberg
altho I liked the other one too!
I have relit my candle and just wanted to thank VB again for the huge effort she has made to keep us informed and to keep all those prayers and jingles alive for Barbaro. All that positive energy is playing a role in keeping him alive.
Thank you VB. It means a great deal to all of us.
Run for the Roses is such a beautiful song to TB lovers, really moving in this particular instance as well. I didn’t see the other video…any idea what page it’s on or the link?
I think its the one a the top of this page- hence the confusion! The Run for the Roses video is amazing…beautiful! and I agree, its a beautiful use of the song…
Keep at it Barbaro!
I’ve loved Dan Fogelberg’s son Run for the Roses since I was a horse-crazy kid. I have it in my iPod, but after Barbaro was injured I would always skip over it, it made so sad. Now, after watching that video, I can’t wait to listen to it again. That line, “It’s a chance of a lifetime in a lifetime of chance,” really hit me in a way it never had before.
Thanks to VB and everyone on this thread for giving me a smile every day 
!
From Saturday’s Sun (www.baltimoresun.com)
Vital signs for Barbaro are still good
Treatment working for Derby winner
By Sandra McKee
Sun Reporter
Originally published July 21, 2006, 7:44 PM EDT
Early last week, before Barbaro was diagnosed with the complication of laminitis in his left hind foot and with an infection in his broken right hind leg, Dr. Kathleen Anderson said the Kentucky Derby winner was letting his doctors know something was wrong.
“We’re always monitoring blood work and X-rays,” said Anderson, Barbaro’s personal veterinarian. “But the foremost way he lets us know how he is managing is by his comfort level. You can tell by his demeanor how he is doing. Has he stopped eating? Is his head down? Is he looking poorly? Early last week, he was depressed, you could see it. He’s good about putting the word out.”
The word Barbaro is putting out now is that he is doing well.
For the eighth straight day in his update, Dr. Dean Richardson said Barbaro had another restful night and remained in stable condition Friday with good vital signs.
“We continue to monitor him closely and he is responding as well as can be expected to treatment,” said Richardson, the chief of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center.
Barbaro remains in the intensive care unit of the George D. Widener Hospital, where he is attempting to recover from the broken right hind leg he suffered in the Preakness on May 20, and from the complication of laminitis in his left hind foot.
The hospital said the next update on Barbaro’s condition will be Monday, unless there is a significant change in the 3-year-old’s condition.
While Barbaro’s comfort is helped by the sling he wears several hours a day, it is the medication that masks the pain from the laminitis, which is one of the most painful maladies an animal can have. The medical team’s goal is to gradually reduce the painkillers and have the horse be pain-free.
“The medication will be decreased slowly,” Anderson said. "He’s on less today than he was yesterday. And when the report is that he had a restful night after his medication was reduced, that’s an indication his physiological condition is improved.
“I’m not saying he’s out of the woods, but in my opinion, he has really improved in the last week.”
Anderson also said doctors are using a substance called “A-cell” on his left foot bandage. It is a membrane that helps stimulate new tissue growth. Barbaro is also being given nutritional supplements to help in the re-growing of his left hind foot, which is necessary for his survival.
In the course of his recovery, Barbaro’s hoof should grow about one to two centimeters a month.
Chism~ The “Can’t Take Me” video is the one a posted.
Dianad~ Thanx for the name and title of the song. It finally dawned on me last night that it was the one from Spirit, but I couldn’t think of the artist. I will be putting that and the “Run for the Roses” on my i-Pod as well
~Darci~
Update 297: Bits and Bob(bies): The Wilmington News Journal’s Jack Ireland wrote a couple of stories today. The first: Trainer faces long recovery discusses Mike Rea’s plight, notes this site, and notes how people can help. According to Mike’s blog, he is progressing well (somewhat slowly of course) and will be celebrating Hunter’s birthday tomorrow.
Jack Ireland’s second article talks about Bobby (of course): There’s something special about Barbaro. The following is an excerpt:
When I watched this horse win the Florida Derby with a comeback effort and draw away for a brilliant win in the Kentucky Derby, it was obvious we were looking at a great racehorse. Well, I’m convinced there is something special and heartwarming about this colt beyond his racing ability.
This powerful colt can teach us all something about life and how precious it is. Skeptics might say the horse has no idea how serious his injuries are, but he can feel pain and react to the situation. He knows, believe me.
When he tore up his foot that terrible day at the Preakness, the skeptics said it was probably all over. When his serious problems began in late June, the critics again could be heard.
[I]I don’t know if Barbaro can pull off another miracle, but I do know one thing. This horse, his owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, his trainer, Michael Matz, and assistant trainer, Peter Brett, and his Fair Hill vet Kathy Anderson sure aren’t giving up.
[/I] This horse is special in so many ways. He’s a long shot I’ll bet on any day.
Our freinds from Kennett Florist provides us this insight into NBC today:
[I]
Just got back from NBC. Things are quiet (which I’m going to take as a good thing). They have more like a skelton crew - at least as far as the front reception area goes.
[/I] I stopped to water some of the flower arrangements in the lobby and just soaked it all in… so many posters made for Bobby, flowers, balloons, etc. I thought how wonderful it was to have such beauty and signs of love and support for all those that work there. And as a lady was being lead back to see her horse by another doctor, I hoped that maybe some of that beauty touched her while she was waiting to find out news of her “child”.
Just thought I’d try to paint a picture of Bobby’s (temporary) home.
WE BELIEVE
For those interested in the anti-slaughter bill, a hearing is being scheduled for tuesday, July 26, here are details.
Update 299: Peter Brette just called. He was unfortunately at the barn all day, unable to visit Bobby. He did know that Bobby has had a good day, so his condition has persisted through the day (he’s comfortable). Michael will be visiting him this evening, Peter said he will be giving him a good grooming!
We have another video (thanks Mary) on the Fan Media page. It is Barbaro, Never gonna give in.
If you can, tune into ESPN2 7 pm east coast time for horse racing from Del Mar, which will include a Bobby update from Jeannine Edwards.
Update 298: A lovely picture of Gallant Secret from Barbara Livingston.
Tim ran Something Wild today at Philadelphia Park, in a “never won a race other than” allowance race (he broke his maiden at Philadelphia Park a few starts back). It was his first time stretching out (a mile and 70 yards). He ran third, losing second to a simple head bob. An encouraging race.
Just spoke to Kathy Anderson. I mentioned to her the Baltimore Sun article from today, which see seemed pleased with (she just hopes she was correct noting the product A-cell!) She had not been able to visit today, but assumes all is well (she had not heard to the contrary, and she would hear.)
I have added a couple of pictures to the gallery. They are of everyone who attended the event at the Whip thursday evening (thanks again for that) and of a banner placed outside of one of Michael Matz’s Fair Hill barns (Parlo 3). This is the first such banner at Fair Hill, its very cool.
The weather here is aweful!
Not much of update on ESPN2. I was hoping for MORE.
Oh well. Keep Jingling For BARBARO!!!
That song was used in a presentation for Nokota horses, and it was very appropriate, makes me cry every time. I have a pony that they did get, he went into a kill pen and was purchased by someone in the Nokota Horse Conservancy, he is descended from a very cool Nokota named Target because he was a hard target for the park. He did become a very important foundation stallion. http://horse-protection.org/info.php?id=47 Read about my pony Teddy. Since then he’s done more, Pony Club, riding camp, Fair Hill Starter Trials 6th out of 13 first time in Elem and some schooling hunter shows, lots of ribbons, champ, blue too.
Nokota Horse Conservancy www.nokotahorse.org
I think Run for the Roses is a great song for Thoroughbreds, and a much better choice. Beautiful song also heartwrenching.
Sunday Morning Update:
Update 300: Barbaro had another comfortable night last night (saturday night). I saw Michael Matz on the track this morning (sunday) as I was exiting the track. He was chatting with the Klesaris’, but turned to me to provide the good news.
update sunday, july 23, 8:10 am
Thanks again, VB!
I look for your posts every morning with my coffee.
Glad that the big guy is holding his own.
A Ha! NOW I can go eat breakfast. Thank you, VB!
Thank you VB, we can all breathe out now. :sigh: So I guess we wait for another report tomorrow morning. It’s sure looking up, everyday, another milestone.
I have lost track of what candle I need to relight. :lol: One day when he’s better I would love to meet him but after all the headlines are over. Sometimes you just want to look into the eye of such a creature and try to understand what makes them tick, not possible I know. I met True Blue Girdwood “Jug” and was surprised at his simple appearance and yet inside him beats the heart of a champion and matched with rider of the same heart you get victory. Phillip Dutton, like Michael Matz knew when to stop pushing Jug but kept him at a comfortable riding level. Some lucky stiff gets to ride this great horse and they aren’t even a famous rider. WOW That must be a dream come true. Ah, the heart of a champion, love it.
Fans full of hope for Barbaro, the Superhorse
By Jenifer Johnston
www.sundayherald.com
America remains gripped this weekend by the plight of Barbaro, the injured race horse, with children, newspaper columnists and fans vying for who can show the animal the most love and affection.
In scenes reminiscent of the huge media flurry that surrounded the Thames whale, which became trapped in the river last year and died despite a massive effort to save it, Barbaro has become the affectionate centre of a wave of emotion in the US after suffering a severe ankle fracture two months ago.
Barbaro had already been basking in the glow of the media spotlight before his injury unbeaten, crowd of 120,000 turned out to see the Kentucky Derby winner race at the Peakness Stakes on May 20. The three-year-old, considered a super-horse, had been tipped to win the prestigious race.
But after breaking prematurely from the stalls, Barbaro was reloaded and managed just a few steps before jockey Edgar Prado had to ease him to a halt, his right hind leg fractured above, below and within the ankle joint.
The crowd wept when curtains were erected around the horse and there were immediate concerns that he would be put down on the spot.
Despite vets’ grim diagnosis that the injuries were as bad as could be, Barbaro survived five hours of surgery to insert 27 pins in his leg. But his condition worsened last week and the horse remains in a perilous state: he now has an infection in the broken leg, and has had 80% of his left hind hoof removed due to a severe case of laminitis. In other words, one leg is broken, and the one bearing weight is the equivilant of standing on a very badly bruised fingernail.
But the remarkable phenomenon to come out of his injuries has been a movement right across the US of lavish gifts, websites and newspaper editorials to help Barbaro, who seems to have been taken on as a symbol of strength in the face of adversity in the US.
People such as Carol Baccanari, who travelled 135 miles to Pennsylvania for a chance to see Barbaro at the intensive care animal hospital he is being treated in, are anxious to personally pass on their good wishes. She told the Baltimore Sun newspaper: “I thought, maybe, if I put my hand on him he would get better I’m praying for a miracle.”
Barbaro has also been sent countless presents, cards and banners signed by children from across the country.
On www.getwellbarbaro.com 15,000 hits and counting), visitors are invited to light a virtual candle for Barbaro, against a background of a fallen rose.
Typifying what American fans are feeling for the horse, there are thousands of posts featuring get well soon messages from people like Duke, who wrote: ‘Dear Barbaro: my heart and my prayers are with you each day. It is a joy to see how many hearts you have touched! Through your suffering, you have united so many of us in a collective prayer for your wellbeing. Be well!’
And the media has also been keen to encourage Barbaro’s recovery. Phil Taylor, a respected writer in Sports Illustrated magazine, last week wrote: ‘You are not alone. The rest of us feel it too the need to stop what we’re doing and pay attention, at least for a moment, every time we hear Barbaro’s name in a news report or see it in a headline.’
There is something about this horse and his fight for life that touches us. Every update brings either a sense of dread, that the end has arrived, or of relief, that he just might survive after all.
And people such as columnist Jack Ireland, writing in Delaware’s News Journal, have been gushing about Barbaro’s hypnotising qualities: This reporter has no inside information or veterinary experience, but one thing is for sure. Barbaro has shown he can beat the odds. I’m convinced there is something special and heartwarming about this colt beyond his racing ability.
This horse is special in so many ways. He’s a long shot I’ll bet on any day.
However, Barbaro’s trainer Michael Matz seems anxious not to place the odds of Barbaro’s long-term survival over the 50/50 benchmark.
"It’s just a slow road now. 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.
23 July 2006
[B]From Alex & Tim~
[/B]Update 301: For those interested in learning more about Bobby’s younger days, this NTRA article sheds some light: After difficult birth, Barbaro thrived. It is interesting to note many of his early characteristics persist, although they do note he had a dislike to peppermints (perhaps his taste buds have developed / adapted). The following is an excerpt:
“He was so mild-mannered, I could roll him over on his back and scratch his belly or pick out his feet,” he said. “He was big, but he wasn’t lanky. He was real brawny. And he had the nicest temperament.”
That easygoing nature made Barbaro a welcome presence, said Sally Mullis. Mullis, 47, worked with him in the foaling and yearling barns and describes the colt as a model student.
“To me, he was just a nice little bay colt,” she said. “He chimed right in and got with program. He was not a troublemaker.”
This article was linked from Barbaro on Squidoo which also discusses the mating of La Ville Rouge and Dynaformer etc.
Lyn Gilbert dropped off some goodies at NBC this morning and included this in her comment below (2:03):
I just got back from delivering breakfast to NBC - as of 45 minutes ago, they had no update except for “another comfortable night”. Energy there was calm, serene and I knew all was OK.
That’s fine with me…just got the current update from this site and I am so thankful our B has one more “comfortable night” under his belt. One night at a time.
enjoy the food and sunflowers (and organic carrots for you-know-who…), NBC staff…
And a random site factoid, we are now one of the top 500,000 in terms of traffic, ranked 129,497 if you just use last week’s traffic!
