Barbaro 'much better' today, vet says

CNN ^ | Friday, July 14, 2006 | AP

[MinorityRepublican]

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) -- Barbaro was doing "much better" Friday morning, a day after his veterinarian said the Kentucky Derby winner was a "long shot" to survive a potentially fatal hoof disease.

"He had a good night last night, and even slept on his side," Dr. Dean Richardson told The Associated Press early Friday before re-entering the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals to check again on the 3-year-colt. "He's doing much better."

Richardson appeared a bit more upbeat than he was Thursday, when he told a packed news conference that Barbaro has a severe case of the disease laminitis in his left hind leg, and termed his condition "poor."

Barbaro looked every bit the champion Thursday, but it's how he acts in the next few days that will determine how much longer he lives.

Laminitis, Richardson said, is an "exquisitely painful" condition, and Barbaro has a case so bad that 80 percent of the Derby winner's left hoof wall was removed Wednesday. It could take as long as six months for the hoof to grow back. The disease is often caused by uneven weight distribution to a limb, usually because of serious injury to another.

Barbaro shattered three bones in his right hind leg just a few yards after the start of the Preakness Stakes on May 20.

While the news was good Friday, Barbaro's condition could change at any time.

"If he starts acting like he doesn't want to stand on the leg, that's it -- that will be when we call it quits," a blunt Richardson said Thursday at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.

"It could happen within 24 hours," he added.

[Rte66]

Well, I tried to do all my crying - mostly joyful - before I tried to post here, but "now you've done it."

[Rte66]

This thread is full of many thoughts in answer to your question.

[Rte66]

Exactly right - my vigil last night was split back and forth between our FReeper FRiends' safety in Lebanon and Barbaro's health concerns. So far, so good, on both fronts.

[Rte66]

That looks like dark bay Barbaro to me, too. The sling is gold, unlike most Kentucky Derby winners in ICU's around the world.

[Rte66]

Ruffian saved Barbaro's life.

[Rte66]

Ah, my last post should have been to you - Ruffian saved Barbaro's life, so your love was well placed in your heroine filly.

[Rte66]

Maybe someday we'll see an update that says "Barbaro's condition remains *pasture*" instead of *stable*! Or maybe *buttercups*! Long way off, and I LOVE seeing "stable," but ... if wishes were horses, then beggars could ride. And Barbaro could graze.

[OldFriend]

Ten years and a lot of medical knowledge since that time.<P?I suspect that Barbaro is not out of danger yet. His hoof has been mostly removed and I'm not sure he can survive this setback.

[livius]

My little horse is a great guy and I hope Barbaro has the same chance; he has heart, so I'm betting on him!

[abigailsmybaby]

She was an extra special one.

Any more news about Barbaro this evening?

[Rte66]

Why don't you call up Funny Cide's owners and ask them what they would've done in that same situation? I'd love to know. He was the first gelding to win the Kentucky Derby (2003) since 1979. I haven't seen any comments from that section. (But I will look if/when I have time.)

[Rte66]

Nothing since the 4PM update from New Bolton, that I've seen. Lemondrop may know something more, but will share with us, if so, I'm sure.

[Rte66]

He's still alive and his vital signs are good, his ears are up, he slept 4 hours on his side last night, he has the sling to help him out, he stood for 12 hours yesterday, he ate 10 carrots out of Edgard Prado's hand this morning.

Just don't give up on this horse yet. I'm not.

[Rte66]

Out of EDGAR Prado's hand, too. LOL at "Edgard." Where am I channeling these silly typos from?

[OldFriend]

Oh, definitely not giving up. This horse has something special in his heart that keeps him going.

[Rte66]

Me, too - and I still love your story.

[Rte66]

And a whole hot air balloon (better than a sling and prettier!) of love and hopes and prayers from children everywhere - and some us grown-ups, too - to lift him up.

[Rte66]

Thank you for posting this! I loved that Prado had the chance to see him and feed him. This is a much-loved horse.

[Rte66]

Thank you for that link - I want to go back when I can take more time to look at those. Lucky lady!

[Polybius]

I am not a big fan of horse racing for a variety of reasons but one of them is how some owners treat losing horses. I have a lot of respect for this colts owners. The medical bills for him may amount to the budget for a small country. They would have been justified putting him down awhile ago but they are not giving up.

Well, don't get too sentimental about the medical full court press.

Barbaro did not "lose". He was injured as a Kentucky Derby champion and as a potential Triple Crown champion. As a result, his future production of sperm is worth Big Bucks.

If they could somewhow hook up his testicles to a life support system, they probably would have "humanely put him out of his misery" by now.

If Barbaro had come in last at the Kentucky Derby before shattering his leg, both his muscles and his testicles would be ground up in a bag of Purina Dog Chow by now.

Marked for Dog Food, Also-Ran Racehorses Are Spared in Pasture