These photos are FABULOUS!!!:winkgrin: :winkgrin: :winkgrin: :yes: :yes: :yes: :winkgrin: :winkgrin: :winkgrin:
Being the paranoid mom I am, I have noticed his front legs are wrapped in the last couple of weeks. VB, any idea why they are wrapping them now when they didn’t seem to be in the beginning? Or am I just now noticing the front wraps?
Thank you Tim & Alex~
Update 442: New Barbaro pictures: Barbaro hand-grazes at the New Bolton Center with Dr. Dean Richardson..
Update 441: New Bolton Center’s press release today (not yet on their site): Barbaro well enough to hand graze outside:
[I]
After almost three months in the Intensive Care Unit of Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro has begun brief outings to some grassy areas adjacent to the ICU to hand graze. “We felt he was ready for a change of scenery, so last week we took him outside to pick his own grass,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “He’s not outside for a long time, but it’s enough to let him enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. If he remains this comfortable, he will be hand-grazed daily.”
Photos will be available on the Penn Vet Web site later today that show Barbaro being walked to the ICU’s grazing area. “I’m very pleased with his progress,” said Dr. Richardson. “His appetite remains strong, he sleeps well, and we continue to monitor him closely. He is measurably gaining weight and his overall attitude is great.”[/I]
The photos show the cast on the right hind leg, which encloses the foot and extends up to just below the hock, the bandage on the left hind foot and support wraps on Barbaro’s front legs.
They are wrapping the front legs to offer additional support. Nothing more.
I will inquire again, but this was my initial answer. I will also ask about the link for the picture.
I’m thinking the early photos without bandages on the fronts were taken before the hoof resection. So yeah, the front bandages would be for additional support. As we know, it’s curtains for the boy if he founders up front.
Try this link for the photos. After clicking on the link, hit refresh.
Barbaro hand-grazes at the New Bolton Center with Dr. Dean Richardson.
Just as I suspected…can’t wait till this is over and he’s out in his paddock all well & healthy with no casts, slings, bandages, needles or anything but joy. More candles lit.
THANKS FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL UPDATES!
Wouldn’t it be fun if the Jacksons offered a lottery of sorts or a raffle (maybe even limited to Team Barbaro!! supporters) to cover a breeding (AI or live) to the big boy regardless of Jockey Club rules?!! :yes: :yes: I’ve got a really nice hano mare that would produce an awesome foal by Bobby! :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: Yep, I’d buy a ticket or two or three or ten!! Can you imagine the smarts his foals will have?
Update 443: Thoroughbred Times reports Bobby’s grazing: Barbaro grazes outside following cast change which includes the following excerpt:
“That’s the first time he’s been outside since we brought him in,” said Gretchen Jackson, who bred and campaigned Barbaro along with her husband, Roy, in the name of their Lael Stables. “Dean took him out, and he just stood there for easily five minutes, looking at the scenery like, ‘Oh my God, I’d forgotten about all of this.’ He just looked around for some time before he put his head down, and then he ate away and was probably out for a good 20 minutes, enjoying himself. It was just the nurses out there and maybe a few vets and I think there were quite a few tears shed to see him do that.”
The Complete Article from: /www.thoroughbredtimes.com
Barbaro grazes outside following cast change
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Barbaro continued his courageous battle to overcome a shattered right hind leg and an acute case of laminitis in his opposite hind hoof during the week of August 6, and his determination paid off on August 9 when he enjoyed his first extended graze outside at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center.
The Dynaformer colt suffered multiple fractures and a dislocated fetlock joint in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 20. The following day Barbaro underwent a five-hour surgery, performed by chief surgeon Dean Richardson, D.V.M, to stabilize that limb.
“That’s the first time he’s been outside since we brought him in,” said Gretchen Jackson, who bred and campaigned Barbaro along with her husband, Roy, in the name of their Lael Stables. “Dean took him out, and he just stood there for easily five minutes, looking at the scenery like, ‘Oh my God, I’d forgotten about all of this.’ He just looked around for some time before he put his head down, and then he ate away and was probably out for a good 20 minutes, enjoying himself. It was just the nurses out there and maybe a few vets and I think there were quite a few tears shed to see him do that.”
Barbaro was fitted on August 8 with a new cast on his right hind leg and came out of anesthesia in good order following the procedure at the George D. Widener Hospital for large animals. The process to replace the cast allowed Richardson an opportunity to examine new radiographs of the right hind leg, which was treated for an infection on July 8, including replacing the original screws and locking compression plate used to stabilize the joint and scraping the infection from the area.
“The leg looked good under the cast, especially considering the length of time that he has been in a cast,” Richardson said. “The radiographs also were encouraging. There is no sign of active infection. This is further supported by his markedly improving blood values over the last two weeks.”
Richardson also noted that Barbaro’s left hind leg continues to show positive signs after surgery to resection 80% of the hoof wall due to life-threatening acute laminitis.
“The appearance of the foot is very good,” Richardson said. It is dry and healthy looking with excellent early regrowth at the coronary band."
—Mike Curry
Another excellent article and photo on www.msnbc.com:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14270528/from/RS.3/
Daily hand walks! Super great!!!
Go Bobby Go!!!
:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: 
Lighting more candles.
VirginiaBred:
Thank you for the updates again and what a joyous occasion to see the video of Barbaro grazing in the sun. From all I have read, he went out for the first time on Thursday.
Thursday in that sense was that saddest of sad days for me. I lost my beloved mare, April. My tears of grief are shared with tears of joy to see Barbaro out enjoying the sun and grass. I hope my mare’s spirit will help sustain Barbaro and give him healing energy.
From Alex:
Update 444: New Bolton’s video: Barbaro Video, August 14. You need quicktime. Its 3m 51 secs. and includes a short interview with Dr. Richardson at the end. It clearly shows Bobby walking comfortably, and enjoying the great outdoors!
VB…thanks for continueing the updates!!! This is great news. The pictures of him outside in the sun are wonderful and what a good boy he is. Many prayers and jingles for Bobby’s continued recovery!
BBowen, I am so sorry about your beloved mare. I feel sure that your lovely mare is sending positive vibes to Barbaro. Jingles!
First of all Godspeed April. I am so sorry BBowen. My prayers are with you and your beloved mare.
As for Barbaro. I watched the video over and over and over. Just too many positive feelings while seeing him outside . Continue to pray for his full recovery and many sunshine grass grazing hours ahead!!
Oh what wonderful, wondeful news!! I’ve been so cranky as of late that this little tidbit has taken almost all that grumpiness away! Thanks so much, VB, for the hardwork you do with this thread!
BBowen, I’m so sorry to hear that. 
I know well how hard it is to lose one of the family.
VB, wonderful updates! I’m just thrilled Bobby can get out and enjoy the lovely weather. :)
Off to light few candles again.
feeding
I’m curious–what is Barbaro being fed? Does he get grain? Just hay & supplements? Perhaps this has been discussed in previous pages but I missed it. Just wondering what the nutrition is for a fit race horse who is let down so quickly due to severe injury…
Update 447: NBC10s six o’clock news will show a Bobby update. I am sure other local news channels will do the same.
Update 446: Dr. Richardson’s birthday is coming up soon apparently. An idea for honoring this occasion is being discussed on the discussion board: Dr. Richardson’s Birthday.
Kennett Florist have reported on their visits today to New Bolton (timestamp: 8:37 pm)
What fabulous news!! Seeing Bobby out and grazing brought tears to all of our eyes today!
We had two trips to NBC today. Bright and early Alie and I brought hot bagels and spreads, juice and coffee to all the hungry docs and staff. As always they were very thankful to all who send them treats - even though they all say they’ve gained weight since Bobby’s been there! We also brought up Bobby’s favorite carrots so that he was not neglected in the breakfast festivities!
This afternoon things are still upbeat and everyone just seems so excited that he’s been able to get out into the sun and graze. We brought some snacks for the later shifts. Thank you all, again and again for all that you do! We are so honored to be a part of this team.
WE BELIEVE!!
Update 445: Bobby is hot on the AP wire today (not sure if that is how you say it but …) The following articles appear identical other than their headlines: Barbaro Walks Outside, Grazing on Grass, Barbaro takes a walk outside and Barbaro walks outside, grazing on grass. They include the following Dean Richardson quotes:
“It’s a big step just to know he feels good enough that you can take him out of the stall and walk him around like a normal horse and he eats grass like a normal horse,” Dean Richardson, chief surgeon at the New Bolton Center, said Monday. “That doesn’t mean he’s healed. It just means things are going well right now.”
and
“I thought he was thrilled the first time he went out,” Richardson said in a telephone interview from New Bolton. “He just seemed very happy to be out. You can tell he’s looking forward to it every day. It’s absolutely normal. Horses love to be outside, obviously, and he’s pretty excited about it.”
and
“I think we’re lucky his tissues are fairly healthy,” Richardson said. “I don’t know why he’s more comfortable than some horses with the same condition.”
Barbaro had the cast on his injured right hind leg changed last Tuesday and Richardson said it might not need to be changed for about another three weeks. The left hoof, which needs to completely regrow if the colt is to have any shot of walking, remains the biggest concern.
“He’s got to get this left hind foot to the point where it’s a solid structure that can sustain long-term weight bearing,” Richardson said. “Could there still be some major things resulting in him having to be put down? Yeah. He’s absolutely not out of the woods yet.”
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