I missed all the big races this year. I didn't know that Barbaro had broken his leg during the Preakness until the
news yesterday about the laminitis. Damn! It reminds me of
the race about 30 years ago when Ruffian broke her leg. Back
then the only option was to put them down. I keep a small photo of her on my key chain.
I wish the best of everything for Barbaro and his owners.
I hope he gets better!
I've watched horse races on TV my whole life, telling myself to "breath, breath" during every one. Tearing up at the end, just loving to watch them run.
I saw Ruffian break down. I saw that filly in the 90's break down. I even quit watching for a few years after that one!
I've only been to the track once. About two years ago, locally, here in Houston. Second or third race, a horse when down hard, couldn't get up, out went the ambulance, up went the screen, as I explained to my new husband that the horse was being destroyed and dragged into the trailer. He was shocked.
The feeling that hit me on Preakness day '06 was not an unfamiliar one. As I saw M.Matz realize what had happened and run to be with the horse; as I saw Edgar Prado put his hands on his head and stare at the foot; as I stared at my TV and watched Barbaro raising and lowering his hind leg, waiting for the ambulance; I really believed that would be the last image I would remember of Barbaro. Another great horse, and all the what-could-have-beens.
Then the reports came of x-rays and possible surgery, I remember getting up early Sunday morning to check the reports of how he did through the night and whether he would make it to surgery. Then the after surgery reports, and pictures. The interviews with Dr. Richardson, the Jacksons, MMatz. I was drawn to every detail. But knowing that his chances were slim.
I found myself having to explain to people how a foot or leg injury can be called "life-threatening" to a horse, and why his chances were so slim.
As the weeks passed, you begin to get comfortable with the hospitalized Barbaro. The progressing Barbaro. Then the thoughts of little Barbaros down the road starts to enter. Soon I'm only checking news reports every couple of days or so. He's really going to make it!
Then the complications. There is that old sick feeling in my stomach again. Infection, absess, laminitis. A death sentence to lesser horses. But then there is Barbaro; the nickering, eating, happy, bouncing around colt with only 2 good legs now.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry. He's such a remarkable animal, but can he overcome all of this? I hope and pray so, but that part of me that is the realist knows that it's a very very very long shot. Things can turn in an instant. He doesn't seem to let anything bother him, and he's strong. Only time will tell.
We've seen the ugly side to horse racing, for sure. I would love to see him make it.
Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride? Friendship without envy? Beauty without vanity?
Here, where grace is laced with muscle and strength, by gentleness confined.
He serves without servility, he has fought without enmity.
There is nothing so powerful, yet nothing less violent. Nothing so quick, yet nothing more patient.
The worlds past was born on his back. All our history is his industry. We are his heirs. He, our inheritance.
The horse.
I Thank you God and University of Penn!
http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro_Update7-18.htm
Barbaro's casts changed
July 18, 2006
KENNETT SQUARE, PA -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro remains in stable condition with good vital signs after a restful night, according to Chief of Surgery Dean Richardson. “Yesterday afternoon we changed his right hind leg cast to take new radiographs and to examine the incision,” said Dr. Richardson. “The radiographs looked good; the plates we placed on July 8 to fuse the pastern are intact and the fetlock fusion is unchanged. The leg and the incision looked as good as we could have hoped.”
The right hind leg cast supports the repair of the injury suffered at the Preakness on May 20, and it extends from the colt’s foot to just below his hock.
The modified foot cast, which acts like a bandage on Barbaro’s left hind foot, was also changed yesterday. The foot cast is rigid and provides stability and support, but will be changed often so that the hoof can be treated. Both cast changes were performed with Barbaro lightly sedated in a sling. He has adapted very well to being managed as needed in the sling. “He is a very intelligent horse,” said Dr. Richardson.
Barbaro continues to be monitored closely in the Intensive Care Unit of the George D. Widener Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center.
Thanks for the good news.You are doing a good service to the benefit of horse lovers everywhere.
I've been a Barbaro fan since the beginning of his career. I feel that I have a connection to him, probably because my last name is Barbaro. I think about him every day, and I pray for his recovery. Any scrap of good news is cause for rejoicing. Keep up the fight, Barbaro buddy!