Thought they said 23 screws - not that it matters - he’s doing well!!! Yay!!! Waiting all day for that news was worth it. Now keep your fingers crossed for the next few months are going to be crucial …
Says sleep is a concern, and hopes he will continue to get up and down to sleep laying down. Said it all will cost many tens of thousands by the time it is over. Said it will be many months before he will be slowly walking.
Which channels is this on? ESPNNews? CNN?
I would LOVE to see Barbaro up in his stall 
After all this, he is ALIVE!
Just watched the press conference on tvg or hrtv with Dr. Richardson and MM. Barbaro is in a cast from just below his hock to and enclosing his hoof. Comfortably in his stall and eating hay as we speak. has a spinal cath for an epidural type pain relief if necessary. they described the pool recovery system(very cool). Some really good questions which were answered well and some really stupid questions which were answered fairly. Still a “coin toss” due to chance of infection, reinjury, all the obvious stuff, but at least past the bad bits. Anyone who has ever lost a horse has felt the pain over again and is thinking all the best thoughts. And both Dr Richardson and MM were amazingly tolerant and well spoken at the press conference, which considering the stress and sheer amount of time awake, was really something. Well done by all, and especially the ones in the trenches, that got him there and will care for him 24/7 as long as it takes.
I thought it was funny when that reporter asked about why other horses are put down and not given the chance to get this surgery.
When he said $10s of thousands over and over again, some people just do not have the funds like the owners of Barbaro.
At least now if a horse needs this type of surgery you know who to call.
I am just so glad he put weight on it and is eating hay.
Exactly, Sannois…and I’m glad he didn’t mince words when saying it’s still a coin toss. The general population doesn’t understand all the things that can go wrong during recovery/rehab with these animals…nor do they have a clue what laminitis, colic, etc are or why infection could occur.
I’m just so happy for this news. I’ll keep jingling and praying for this great horse.
Our TVG and HRTV Friends…
Did any of you catch what we ESPN’ers missed at the commercial break? It sounded like the question asked about the owners…
I can’t thank you all enough for this thread. It is the only news I am able to access on Barbaro. I have emailed the info to tons of friends. My son who is an orthopedic surgeon for people asked me a question I didn’t know the answer to. He said that in severe surgeries on humans they put them into a coma to induce sleep so that their bones can fuse while in the coma. He asked why they can’t do this to horses. Does anyone know the answer? Could they keep a horse in a coma lying down on the ground and feed them intravenously until the breaks fused?
Jingling for Barbaro.
This surgery is risky and costly. I just hope it works. I was at the Potomac (Maryland) Hunt Races today and another horse broke his leg in a similar fashion. He was put down right where he fell. It was a terrible way of watching history repeating itself twice in one weekend. Today was tragic as another horse died during the same race–apparently he fell at the next hurdle and broke his neck. Let’s hope Barbaro has a better outcome…
Finally!!! Now perhaps I can get my barn chores done- I’ve been running in and out of the house all day waiting for the news. I don’t remember being this anxious since my own horse’s surgery (and I didn’t know the outcome of that until 1am)!
Still jingling here though!
I couldn’t hear the question asked about the owners ( I’m hoping there will be a transcript somewhere), but I did hear Dr. Richardson say he received a 16-hole plate, and 23 screws. I didn’t hear the part about the P1 being in 20 pieces.
Still jingling and praying. Thank you all so much on this board. I also had no other way to get news, Cnn was still saying he was in surjery 20 minutes ago. Thank you so so so much!
no can do- they depend on movement to create blood flow- for lack of better way to say it. Their blood will actually pool- like they keep saying, their vascular system is poor-
Its why you have to worry about older horses being down. Sick foals at NB stay on mattresses, where they have their own tech to turn them every 1/2 hour or so. Horses are meant to stand for 23 hrs of the day- and move that whole time, too. Its a good think that Barbaro appears to be a smart kinda guy and is being good. So nice there is a pulse, and so nice that he is eating… Jingles
I couldn’t hear the question, but assume it was if they’d talked to the owners, yet, given the answer was that both the Dr. and MM talked to them and they’re happy with the news.
I’m so sorry to hear about the horses who perished today while doing their job. So sad!!! Barbaro just gives us a glimmer of hope among those who don’t get the chance to make it.
Yes, echoing everyone else, thanks so much for all the updates - don’t have TV here either!
Jingles continue!
Understood. Didnt think of that.
At least we know whats going on now.
Thank you for the AWESOME news :winkgrin:
If anyone locates a complete transcript or an online video clip, please send the link this way!!!
I have just finished watching the news conference- my only thought during the comments was just how fortunate this horse is - the wonderful trainer, his owners and all those that are connected with him.
It’s relieving to know that (according to Dr. Richardson) in his opinion, Barbaro is/has been in the top condition and it’s to his advantage now for his recovery. Most amazed to hear him (Dr. Richardson) speak of how Barbaro got up/down even last evening, with the splint on. What an athlete!
There’s no doubt it’s going to be a l-o-n-g recovery, and barring any complications (infections/reinjury) he’ll still need all the prayers we can muster to see him through this. Clearly, it’s still a coin toss for a successful recovery but with all the faith of his owners and trainer, their love, care & compassion and the excellent staff of doctors and nurses at the New Bolton Center, at least he’s got a fighting chance!
Edgar Prado - the courage you demonstrated in restraining Barbaro from further injuring himself has provided this great athlete his chance at survival. God Bless You. :yes:
Praise God, and keep up the jingling!!!
Oh thank god. I probably didn’t catch up from everything I missed, but I found the first post talking about post-op and kept going from there. I was calling my parents every chance I could get from the bowling alley, begging to hear those words, “he’s out of surgery”, but they kept telling me no … I decided I’d better not keep calling as I was afraid of hearing the other horrible phrase and didn’t feel like breaking down in tears in front of a lot of people. Then again, had I been told he was actually out of surgery, back in his stall, and eating hay, I would’ve broken down crying anyhows. So, maybe its a good idea I waited till now to find out.
I’ve still got ESPN turned on, waiting to hear something myself. Unfortunately, I have to get up really early so I must get to bed. If anyone finds a link online of the news conference, please post so I can @ least catch up when I get home tomorrow.
Good job Barbaro, we all knew you were a strong boy. And thank you Edgar, for pulling him up and giving him a chance @ survival.
