With Loving and Costly Care, Barbaro’s Long Odds Improve

[spindrifter]

NYT

By JOE DRAPE
Published: August 21, 2006

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa., Aug. 17 — Barbaro was reclined on his side in a stall. His left hind foot curled out beneath him, revealing a fitting that his surgeon called a foam-lined rubber sneaker. His right hind leg, the one that has been in a cast for 90 days, was hidden beneath a carpet of knee-deep straw.

Barbaro wears a bandage around his neck to protect a catheter, and his left hip has a few white splotches, healing blisters from a combination of his sweat and the antiseptics used in his initial operation. When he awakened from a serene slumber, however, his eyes burned as bright as a Kentucky Derby champion’s. After all, he is a Derby champion.

Barbaro’s owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, notice that look in his eyes, as does his trainer, Michael Matz, and the medical staff at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals. It is why they have never left this horse for dead.

They refused to do so when Barbaro took a catastrophic misstep and shattered his right hind leg in the opening yards of the Preakness Stakes on May 20. They forged on in early July when the colt developed severe laminitis, a painful and often-fatal condition that afflicts horses that bear excessive weight on a limb.

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I check Barbaro's status every day at www.timwoolleyracing.com and on the New Bolton Center website, which lets the public know when it plans to update, as they do not do so daily. Today the great news was that not only is the hoof doing what it is supposed to be doing at this point, but Barbaro is starting to put on a bit of weight, as he had lost some during the traumatic past few months. What an inspiration he is!

[petersjo02]

1. This is wonderful news

We lost two wonderful and much-loved horses after long, painful battles with laminitis, so have been following this closely. It is great to see a good horse win the battle, for a change. Cheers to all involved in his care and recovery.

[TomInTib]

2. I, too, have stayed up on Barbaro and almost cannot believe this.

And I know that look, as well.

[CC]

3. He is also getting a polar bear for a roomy.

Polar bear to join Barbaro http://www.redding.com/redd/sports/article/0,2232,REDD_17596_4930475,00.html
I can't find a better story about it. From the local news normally the bear would of been euthanized but since they have had success with Barbaro the zoo decided to try to save Alcor.
It is always great to hear good news on Barbaro.

[spindrifter]

4. Let's remember, it will take the hoof about 9 months,

minimum to regrow. As of today, Barbaro is balanced, which is key to keeping him safe from other attacks of laminitis. So there is still a long way to go. I am hoping Barbaro is the success story and that as a result, other horses will benefit from New Bolton's experiences treating him.

[pansypoo53219]

5. well then

i hope the polar bear makes it too. (injured pola bear gonna get treated by same doc) pray for binkie! (not name, but all polar bears are binkie to me.)