Barbaro Gets a New Cast, and Prognosis Grows Brighter

NY Times ^ | August 10, 2006 | JOE DRAPE

[pj_627]

"Yippeeeeee!"


Wooo Hooo!! I echo your excitement! I am sooo happy for the big guy. If Barbaro was a human patient, recovering from a devastating injury such as his, this would be such a moral building event. A wonderful day!

I CONTINUE to keep this beautiful, great, horse, in my thoughts and prayers. In spite of all the scary things going on in the world these days, Barbaro is a link back to the NORMAL things that should concern all of us.

I want him to recover and thrive for the remainder of a LONG life.

Thanks for the update.

pattyjo

[Veto!]

I am thrilled and delighted to hear that Barbaro went outside and ate grass. He'll surely make a full recovery now that he knows he won't live in the barn forever.

Freedom!

More prayers for his continuing and swift progress. (And I did light a candle at the link you provided on some thread--a lovely web site--I spent an hour browsing over there.)

[Razz Barry]

Well, folks, I am a horeseman, and there are some things these people aren't telling you. The best thing to hope for is that the owners will be able to collect some semen to freeze before they put Barbaro down. Semen is collected using an artificial vagina, and a collection mare. Barbaro has to be able to support himself on his hind legs in order for this to happen. In the meantime, this horse is being subjected to a situation that to me is very very sad. Don't get me wrong: I hope that somehow they are able to get some progeny from this wonderful horse. But in the meantime, well, it just sucks.

Don't worry, we got you right on. Bet you stopped pulling wings off flies just to come bother us. I'd say that riding the coin pony outside K-mart is as close as you've gotten to being a horseman. I'm sorry, horeseman.

[Rte66]

Here we go ...

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/ - GMA video is here

And here:

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2310386
~~~~~~
http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro_Update8-14.htm

Barbaro well enough to hand-graze outside

August 14, 2006

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — After almost three months in the Intensive Care Unit of Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro has begun brief outings to some grassy areas adjacent to the ICU to hand-graze. “We felt he was ready for a change of scenery, so last week we took him outside to pick his own grass,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “He’s not outside for a long time, but it’s enough to let him enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. If he remains this comfortable, he will be hand-grazed daily.”

Photos on the Penn Vet Web site show Barbaro being walked to the ICU’s grazing area. “I’m very pleased with his progress,” said Dr. Richardson. “His appetite remains strong, he sleeps well, and we continue to monitor him closely. He is measurably gaining weight and his overall attitude is great.”

The photos show the cast on the right hind leg, which encloses the foot and extends up to just below the hock, the bandage on the left hind foot and support wraps on Barbaro’s front legs.

The next update will be posted on Tuesday, August 15 unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.
~~~~~
New additions to the photo album here:

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/BarbaroPhotos.htm

And here is the video on the NewBoltonCenter site:

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/BarbaroClip8-14.htm

[Rte66]

"Grazin' in the Grass, It's A Gas ..."

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

This is a terrific update (above) worthy of it's own thread, but in the mean-time, I'll ping it here. It's very good for Barbaro to move, and be outside. It's vital to his recovery, emotionally and physically.

AUGUST 14, 2006

Barbaro hand-grazes at the New Bolton Center with Dr. Dean Richardson. (Higher-res photos if you click them.)

[CindyDawg]

I'm glad he's getting out.

[WestCoastGal]

ping

[HairOfTheDog]

Me too, I've been waiting for news that they are walking him.

[HairOfTheDog]

Miracles do happen.

Indeed... If they didn't have hope, they'd have gelded him already... he's certainly been under anesthesia often enough :~)

[Rushmore Rocks]

Prayer really does work. Thanks for the ping.

[MissTargets]

Thanks Hair. He has lost some weight, but that is understandable. That is so wonderful, he was able to get outside.

[ecurbh]

Hehe... I love his expression in that upper right photo. Looks like he's sticking his tongue out at the photographers.

[HairOfTheDog]

Yes, he's pretty thin, but I thought too, the lighter he is on his feet the better right now.

[Veto!]

Grazing in the grass is DEFINITELY a gas

Never thought I'd be so tickled to see a horse eating grass. Such an ordinary activity, such an extraordinary horse.

Prayers up for more happy mornings with the dew kissing his velvet nose.

(Nose? Snout? LOL, I don't even know. Horse lover from a distance, I.

[Razz Barry]

Thanks! He's a real looker, even after all he's been through.

[abigailsmybaby]

He's just amazing. He looks awfully thin, but at this point I would imagine that could be a good thing. Less weight on his legs.

[Beaker]

*ping*
Barbaro update! He got to go outside today!

[shield]

I hope everything turns how well with him. What a wonderful horse.