HowboutthemCowboys Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby winner who fractured his right hind leg in the Preakness Stakes on May 20, has developed the serious hoof illness laminitis in his left rear leg, and his chances of survival have "significantly diminished," Dr. Dean Richardson, the chief of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center, said at a press conference Thursday morning. Asked about Barbaro's chances of survival, Richardson said, "Poor." "It's very guarded at this point," he said. "But it isn't unheard of" that Barbaro could survive, though the process is now far more complicated and lengthy. "It's a long-shot. I'm not going to sugar-coat it," Richardson said. Richardson said that Barbaro's owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, have made it clear "their only concern is his comfort." "We're going to go on as long as we can come in every day and be convinced that day and the next he will be acceptably comfortable," Richardson said. "This is a very bad situation right now for the Jacksons. It's hard for us, even more for them. If we quit now, people are going to say we quit too early. If we quit later, people are going to say we did it too late. There's a lot of people involved, and they all care only about his well-being. "If this stops working, we're going to quit on him, simple as that," Richardson said. Richardson called the case of laminitis "acute." "It's as bad a case of laminitis as you could have," Richardson said. Richardson said the colt is under "an intensive pain management regimen" to keep him comfortable. Laminitis occurs when the soft laminae that connects the coffin bone to the hoof wall is damaged, causing the bone and hoof to separate. "It's exquisitely painful," Richardson said. Because of the laminitis, a partial hoof-wall re-section was performed on Barbaro's left hind hoof on Wednesday, Richardson said. He is spending part of the day in a sling to help him when he shifts weight, Richardson said. Richardson said Barbaro was still eating well and nickers when attendants tend to him. "I don't want anyone to think this is Terry Schiavo," Richardson said, referring to the Florida woman whose brain-damaged condition was a cause celebre two years ago. "He's able to get up and bear weight." "Two weeks ago, I really thought he was going to make it," Richardson said. "Today, I am not as confident." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The D Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 This sux0r. They said on ESPN that he couldn't be put out to stud even if he recovers because of his foot and I assume, leverage issues. I hop he at least gets better. Horses are magnificent animals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilthorp Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 The owners have always maintained from day one that the moment Barbaro begins to painfully suffer, they will put him down. I have a few friends in the industry and there have been talks this afternoon that they will be putting him down. Don't be surprised if this happens very soon. It will be sad, but laminitis is not something that horses recover from too often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 I read this today and it made me I'm not even a race or horse fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 I was hoping he would make a recovery. (actually, you can read that in the present tense as I am still hoping it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqualung Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 This sux0r. They said on ESPN that he couldn't be put out to stud even if he recovers because of his foot and I assume, leverage issues. I hop he at least gets better. Horses are magnificent animals. Betcha they have gallons of sperm frozen though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonorator Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 see ya ol' yeller ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 this is probably a stupid question, but why can't they put the horse into an induced coma until it heals? (and perhaps suspend it in water or something?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonorator Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 this is probably a stupid question, but why can't they put the horse into an induced coma until it heals? (and perhaps suspend it in water or something?) if they can freeze ted williams' head, they can do anything ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 Artificial insemination isn't as much for the male horse, but it is pretty effective, isn't it? I mean, its not like the owners are, all of a sudden, going to make less money somehow, are they? Didn't think so. PS - What a crappy way to die ... the horse-equivalent of an ingrown toenail or maybe turf-toe (or so it sounds to me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 I read this today and it made me I'm not even a race or horse fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted July 14, 2006 Share Posted July 14, 2006 Some good news: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/more...ex.html?cnn=yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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