Posted on 05/21/2006 7:36:41 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro underwent day-long surgery Sunday to repair three broken bones in his right rear leg and afterward "practically jogged back to the stall," the colt's surgeon said.
At this moment "he is extremely comfortable in the leg," said Dr. Dean Richardson, who stressed before the marathon procedure that he's never worked on so many catastrophic injuries to one horse.
Barbaro sustained "life-threatening injuries" Saturday when he broke bones above and below his right rear ankle at the start of the Preakness Stakes. His surgery began early Sunday afternoon at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center for Large Animals.
At the front gate, well-wishers already had tacked up signs: "Thank you, Barbaro," "Believe in Barbaro" and "We Love you Barbaro."
"You do not see this severe injury frequently because the fact is most horses that suffer this typically are put down on the race track," Richardson said before the surgery began. "This is rare."
Unbeaten and a serious contender for the Triple Crown, Barbaro broke down Saturday only a few hundred yards into the 1 3-16-mile Preakness. The record crowd of 118,402 watched in shock as Barbaro veered sideways, his right leg flaring out grotesquely. Jockey Edgar Prado pulled the powerful colt to a halt, jumped off and awaited medical assistance.
"It's about as bad as it could be," Richardson said of the injury. "The main thing going for the horse is a report that his skin was not broken at the time of injury. It's a testament to the care given to the team of doctors on the track and (jockey) Mr. Prado on the racetrack."
Horses are often euthanized after serious leg injuries because circulation problems and deadly disease can occur if they are unable to distribute weight on all fours.
Barbaro was fitted for an inflatable cast by the attending veterinarian, Dr. Nicholas Meittinis, and the colt trained so expertly by trainer Michael Matz was taken to the Bolton Center.
There had been no sightings Sunday of Matz or owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson at the facility, which was swarming with media awaiting an update. The Jacksons reportedly were at the center for the start of surgery, but left.
"Two weeks ago we were on such a high and this is our worst nightmare," Matz said Saturday night at the center. "Hopefully, everything will go well with the operation and we'll be able to save him."
Richardson outlined Barbaro's medical problems: a broken cannon bone above the ankle, a broken sesamoid bone behind the ankle and a broken long pastern bone below the ankle. The fetlock joint — the ankle — was dislocated.
The breaks occurred as a result of an "athletic injury," said Corinne Sweeney, a veterinarian and the hospital's executive director.
"It's an injury associated with the rigors of high performance," she said. "They were designed as athletes and they are elite athletes, thus they incur injuries associated with performance. The frame sometimes plays a role, absolutely."
Barbara Dallap, a clinician at the center, was present when Barbaro arrived at the center Saturday night.
"When we unloaded him, he was placed in intensive care and we stabilized him overnight," Dallap said. "He was very brave and well behaved under the situation and was comfortable overnight."
Tucked away on a sprawling, lush 650-acre campus in Chester County, the New Bolton Center is widely considered the top hospital for horses in the mid-Atlantic region. The center is renowned for its specialized care, especially on animals needing complicated surgery on bone injuries.
The Jacksons live less than 10 miles away on their farm in West Grove, outside Philadelphia in the horse country of Chester County.
Thanks. Nice to know somebody does. :)
Hopefully, tears of joy. The splendid creature was saved, and now its biggest worry is how many females he has to service. The owners get a huge medical bill, but I am sure they can afford it, thanks to Barbaro's winnings and upcoming stud fees.
That's a lot of titanium/stainless steel.
23 screws were used along with the "plate".
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excerpted
from update of article
Great news
I grew up around all kinds of animals and kids too, I might add, sometimes bad things happened and there was nothing that could be done for them when injured (the animals not the kids). We have cats and fortunately have been 'lucky' altho a couple of local adoptees of ours have been hit and died as a result.
It's a rough call to make but sometimes the best thing for the animal is not always the easy thing for the owner to do.
Can't remember the last time I've been as impressed by a horse. He knocked me out before he ran/won the Derby.
All of this is tragic and heartbreaking but what a horse!
Such spirit. And it appears he's got one heck of a will to live. I realize his recovery will be the toughest 'race' of his life. Truly hope he makes it and that he'll enjoy many years at stud.
Horsie prayers going up for you, Barbaro. Tally Ho!
Not really. Ever seen an Ortho surg?
New Bolton has the best and if Barbaro is able to recover this is the right place for him to be. My horse was there many years ago for a severe neck injury and everyone there was great. Doesn't matter to them if your horse is worth $3k or $30 million.
Barbaro does have plenty of hurdles to clear though. Possible infection, laminitis and all the other assorted maladies that can happen to a horse that is confined and unable to support weight on all legs evenly for long periods of time.
Holy hardware, Robin!
And considering that he's got a full length cast, he's standing pretty squarely on that leg.
Prayers continue . . . he's such a good-natured colt, he deserves a happy retirement with lots of pretty young fillies.
This beautiful and amazing horse will be fine. He has such wonderful personality and I really believe his spirit will pull him through this.
"New Bolton has the best and if Barbaro is able to recover this is the right place for him to be. My horse was there many years ago for a severe neck injury and everyone there was great. Doesn't matter to them if your horse is worth $3k or $30 million."
Understand that Barbaro couldn't be in a finer place. In addition to all that you know about New Bolton, the intensity and seemingly the heart of various staff interviews made me feel that as well. I honestly wish the best for Barbaro. I'm just glad they were able to give him a chance -- no matter what the eventual outcome may be. Wiser minds than mine will prevail and I'm sure they'll do what's best.
And if things do work out well, perhaps they may have learned a thing or two during Barbaro's surgery that will benefit other injured horses? Could be too much to hope for but we'll see. Only time will tell.
Can't say what it is about certain horses that speaks to me. Happens in an instant and it's incredibly strong. It's also permanent. Interesting that you sent me the links to Secretariat. Thank you. He was the last big fella that affected me as intensely as Barbaro. Comment on that if you like.
Good to know New Bolton's commitment to an animal doesn't revolve around their price tag. Only as it should be, though we all know that isn't always true. How did your horse do, if you don't mind my asking?
I can relate to pretty much everything you've written. If you look at my profile you'll see horses that I own and one that has passed. He was the one who was treated at New Bolton. There's no coincidence that I own chestnut horses. Big Red was and still is my hero. I don't know what there is about that horse but he still brings me to tears, just like he did in 73 when I was 10.
I can only hope and pray that Barbaro has a much better ultimate outcome than poor Ruffian did. You are correct about certain horses just speaking to you.
And I've always believed in going the extra mile to help a sick animal. Hapi, the horse who went to New Bolton at two, went down with a twisted intestine at age 20. We were at the barn when it happened and got him to a surgical hospital that is less than 10 miles away within a hour of diagnosis. I handed them my credit card and told them to do whatever they needed to do to save him. He lived four days after having 25 feet of small intestine removed but the damage was too extensive and he became toxic and it was time for him to cross the Rainbow Bridge. I went into debt to the tune of a 5 digit vet bill and took on a second job to pay it off but I wouldn't have had it any other way. Had to try to save him.
"Can't say what it is about certain horses that speaks to me."
I have the same experience with certain horses. I still love and fondly remember a horse named Boston which I rode a quarter century ago. Love that horse. He loved to jump.
With or without a rider.
"I went into debt to the tune of a 5 digit vet bill and took on a second job to pay it off but I wouldn't have had it any other way. Had to try to save him."
What a beauty! Hapi was just gorgeous. All of your horses are. Very impressive. Also like that you emphasize temperament. More people should.
Have no problem relating to going into debt to try to save an animal. Or a person. If there's a reasonable shot that they might make it and have a decent quality of life, I'm all for giving them the opportunity. Anything else leaves me cold. Aaaaaaaaand, I don't care who doesn't agree with that.
Have you heard anything more about Barbaro? I've been out of the loop today. Thanks.
Here's the latest from bloodhorse.com. They're probably one of the best sources of info on this.
http://tcm.bloodhorse.com//viewstory.asp?id=33671
And thanks for the compliments on my guys. They're wonderful friends too. If I'm upset to the point of tears they don't seem to mind if I hug their necks and bawl my heart out. And they're great to share a relaxing ride with on a beautiful day.
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