Posted on 05/23/2006 10:10:30 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - Barbaro looked better Tuesday morning than he did a day earlier, a strong sign the Kentucky Derby winner was progressing well on a long road to recovery following a catastrophic injury to his right hind leg.
"He's actually better today than he was even yesterday and he was pretty good yesterday," Dr. Dean Richardson said. "He's walking very well on the limb, absolutely normal vital signs. He's doing very well."
Barbaro was on his feet in his stall, even scratching his left ear with his left hind leg just two days after Richardson and a team of assistants spent more than five hours pinning together the leg bones he shattered in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday.
The surgery was performed at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.
"We've run the gamut of emotions from the euphoria of the Kentucky Derby to the devastation of the Preakness," owner Roy Jackson said. "The sad part is that in Barbaro's case, that the American public won't get a chance to see him continue his racing career. Even though he ran so well in the Kentucky Derby, we probably didn't see his greatest race. But that's water over the dam. We're just glad we jumped a hurdle here so far."
Richardson added that the Jacksons' main concern was for the health of Barbaro, not for the millions of dollars the colt could make as a stallion if he recovers completely.
"If this horse were a gelding these owners would have done everything to save this horse's life," Richardson said. "I've known the Jacksons a long time. If this horse had no reproductive value they would have saved his life."
Gretchen Jackson added: "My hope for him is that he lives a painless life. Whether that means he'll be a stallion with little Barbaros, that would be the extreme hope for him."
wow. he's putting a fair amount of weight on the bum leg.
Yesterday the doctor said the horse only had about a 50% chance of survival. Many real problems can arise over the next month of recovery. But I imagine, this horse will see much more attention than the average horse, so I would guess the odds are a bit better.
I am glad the owners were willing to try to save him via surgery. In the old days, he would have just simply been shot.
Ping.
I am glad the owners - or more likely the insurance company
I am glad the owners - or more likely the insurance company.
***
You're right, I'm sure. Someone last night described the owners as having "deep pockets." Maybe that made a difference as well.
So far so good. That horse is everything I thought he was and more. Amazing spirit. Amazing temperament under the circumstances. Kudos to his exceptional medical team and to his owners.
I understand that anything can happen from this point forward. But it certainly is encouraging to hear that he's putting weight on his right hind leg. Goooooooooo, Barbaro! He's a champion in every way.
This has been great news. The Houston Chronicle had a headline that read that if Barbaro could not be used as a stallion, he would be euthanized. The guy that wrote that, though, was a complete idiot.
I would like to tour that place if I'm ever up that far north.
Wouldn't that be cool!! There is a video here, but I can't get it to work. http://alumni.vet.upenn.edu/onanygivenday.html
BTW if any of you want to write a letter for Mr Matz and the owners, here is the email:
matzbarbaro@usef.org
The USEF will compile all the emails and put them in a special book and give to the horse's connections.
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