How's Barbaro Today?

July 14, 2006 , 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro remains in stable condition according to his veterinarians at the George D. Widener Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. “His vital signs, including heart rate and pulse, remain good,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “We are treating his laminitis aggressively and he continues to respond well and is acceptably comfortable.”

“As I said at the press conference on Thursday, we monitor his condition very closely because signs can change quickly,” said Dr. Richardson. “However, it’s important to remember that Barbaro’s treatment could easily continue for several weeks, and if all goes well, even months. Our goal is to keep him as comfortable as possible, and clearly that comfort level will be a major indicator for our treatment decisions.” Dr. Richardson also emphasized that Barbaro, as evident in the footage and still photos, has a very positive attitude.

Editor's Note: This is an extract from an official statement from New Bolton Center.

It's Official: Barbaro Has Laminitis

It seemed like such a fairy tale that the Kentucky Derby winner could waltz through recovery from his broken leg without complications. A press conference was held this morning; you can view a video of it at
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/13/sportsline/main1799553.shtml

He is now face to face with severe laminitis and has had 80 percent of his hoof wall removed, according to the surgeon. No news on whether he "sank" or "rotated" but I am sure those details will be forthcoming.

Cross all your fingers and toes, and wish upon a star. This horse will need all the help he can get.

I'll try to keep everyone posted, but this is distressing. It's easy to second guess what is going on and what has been tried, but no one really knows. I am sure they are doing all they can and have the horse's best interests at heart. I'm also sure that ethical guidelines for pain and suffering will be observed, although it doesn't sound like the horse is suffering much at present.

Let's give him--and them--a chance!

Billy Crothers World Champion (Again) at Calgary Stampede

This just in from the Calgary Stampede web site: Billy Crothers of Wales is world champion again for the fourth or fifth time, I am not sure which. Stephen Beane of England was second and Jim Quick of the USA was third.
Scroll down to read an article about Billy's wife, Lucy Diamond, successfully competing at Badminton Horse Trials back in May. They're on a roll! Billy and Stephen were also 1-2 in the shoeing competition.

12 July Barbaro Update

KENNETT SQUARE, PA —­ Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro is continuing to rest comfortably today according to Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “As we said yesterday, Barbaro’s condition is potentially serious, and we are aggressively seeking all treatment options,” he said. “Today we will focus on further diagnostics and keeping our patient comfortable.” Barbaro is being treated for fractures received at the Preakness on May 20 as well as discomfort in his left hind foot.

“He’s facing tough odds and his condition is guarded,” said Dr. Richardson. “Our entire staff is determined to do all they can for this magnificent horse.” All decisions are being made in constant consultation with the owners, who continue to be only interested in his comfort.

Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the George D. Widener Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center.

Barbaro Report for 11 July: Resting comfortably after sixth cast applied

Direct from New Bolton Center, this report:

Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery, reports today that Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro is resting comfortably after receiving his sixth cast yesterday since his accident at the Preakness on May 20. “Barbaro is eating well and resting in his stall,” said Dr. Richardson, who also treated the colt for an abscess in his left hind foot.

“He’s tolerating the new cast well,” said Dr. Richardson. “We have changed his left hind foot bandage and that looks improved. His vital signs remain stable and his attitude and appetite remain excellent.”

Calgary Update: Sketchy Details

File this under unofficial results from the Calgary Stampede World Championship Blacksmiths competition which moved into its final day Sunday. It sounds like Billy Crothers, representing Wales, won the "live shoeing" event on Saturday (or was it Sunday? it is hard to tell from the information provided) with Steven Beane, representing England, second. They then moved on to the finals. Stay tuned for more sketchy news from Calgary!

Cast #6 for Barbaro on Monday

July 10, 2006

News report verbatim for New Bolton Center: After evaluating Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro this morning, Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery, replaced the cast on the colt’s injured hind leg for a sixth time. “The long leg cast was replaced with a short leg cast this morning. This was done with Barbaro in a sling and only under mild sedation,” said Dr. Richardson. “The long cast was used as extra support during the anesthetic recovery phase. It is much easier for him to move around his stall and get up and down with a short cast. We also found and treated an abscess in his left hind foot that was bothering him.”

Barbaro spent a comfortable night and is eating well after surgery to stabilize the pastern joint this weekend. “We’re continuing his pain medication, antibiotics and other supportive care,” said Dr. Richardson. “He appears more comfortable today and has had a normal temperature, heart rate and overall attitude.”

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.

Hoofblog note: Several readers said they have had trouble finding New Bolton Center on the map. That's because it is in the town of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, about an hour outside Philadelphia. NBC is the name given to the large-animal complex of hospitals and research centers, which act as a sort of field station for the University of Pennsylvania's vet school, which is located in downtown Philadelphia.

Barbaro: Pastern Joint Infection, more surgery this weekend

The latest from New Bolton Center, direct transcript provided by the hospital:

Veterinarians treat Barbaro for infection, replace plate and screws in injured leg

July 9, 2006

KENNETT SQUARE, PA – Late Saturday, July 8, Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery, replaced the plate and many of the screws that had been inserted into Barbaro’s injured hind leg on May 21. “Barbaro had developed some discomfort and a consistently elevated temperature so we believed it was in his best interest to remove the hardware and thoroughly clean the site of the infection,” said Dr. Richardson. “We also applied a longer cast on that leg for additional support.”

While the main fracture is healing well, the pastern joint that doctors are attempting to fuse continues to be the area of concern. This joint was stabilized with new implants and a fresh bone graft.

“The recovery process from anesthesia took longer with this surgery, but Barbaro is now back in his stall in the Intensive Care Unit,” said Dr. Richardson. “He is receiving pain medication, antibiotics and other supportive care.”

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. Dr. Richardson emphasized that the complications are potentially serious. Both Barbaro’s owners and trainer continue to visit him at least twice daily.

Barbaro's Good-Foot Abscess is No Big Deal, Says Farrier Rob Sigafoos

Ok, everyone calm down. All the gloom-and-doom types out there are predicting that Barbaro is crashing with laminitis in his good foot. We went straight to the source.

New Bolton Center Chief of Farrier Services Rob Sigafoos reports that the horse does have a minor abscess near the tip of the frog which, to quote Rob, "Could (and does) happen to any horse." Accordingly, Rob "just put the same type of shoe back on and treated the abscess." He did not mention that he put a drain in, and I think he would have commented on that if he had done it.

Stay tuned...

Another Conference on the Equine Spine...

I don't know about you, but I think the surge of interest (and research) on the horse's spine is fascinating. I want to soak it all up. The conference in Newmarket, England in October is featured in this blog if you scroll further down the page, and now I find out about another to be held in The Netherlands in September.

This one is an eight-day course and includes speakers like Willem Back, Kevin Haussler, Jean-Marie Denoix, and some new Dutch and Belgian names that I would like to get to know. Learn more here:

http://www.cursuscentrum.nl/fes/