BARBARO's TIME CAPSULE: From ICU To The Great Outdoors
THIS MORNING's BARBARO UPDATE: From VET UPENN & ALEX: Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro continues to do well, and is being hand-grazed for 20 - 30 minutes a day. "His blood work is completely normal and his vital signs are good," said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. "I can't complain. Barbaro has had a very good week." Dr. Richardson also reports that Barbaro is no longer using the sling. "His comfort level has improved to the point that when he was in the sling, he wasn't "using" it at all. The sling is only bearing the horse's weight when he wants it to, and Barbaro's comfort level has improved to the point that he was not using the sling to support his weight."
NEXT BARBARO HEALTH NEWS UPDATE WILL BE Tuesday, August 22, 2006 providing he remains in stable condition and continues to have another good weekend.
REMINDER: Alex will be havng another scheduled world-wide prayer vigil for Barbaro and Friends this Saturday August 19th at 7:00 pm EST.
THIS JUST IN FROM OUR USA BARBARO HEAD LEADER: Reminder Letters to all Barbaro Ambassadors to send your anti-slaughter/horse protection Letters to your state representatives. They will be voting on the upcoming HR503 proposed Bill on September 7, 2006.
For those visiting the first time here, read more on Horse Racing Track Safety and see the latest
join the other concerned men and women who support safer Horse Racing Tracks across America. Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland is one of the first to start laying down synthetic Tapeta. Turfway and Keeneland in Kentucky have already done so with Keeneland hoping to have theirs done soon. Del Mar in California has started synthetic track reconstruction. And, for now, Arlington Park in Chicago remains on the sidelines waiting to see how Keeneland does with her new track before spending upwards of $12 million dollars to redo their track and bridle path.
The Arlington Park's 22 fatal breakdowns continues mysteriously for past 3 months. Anomoly? - Stay tuned...
Update: Alex Brown Our Lifeline Man enjoyed calling this: Time Captured Moments of Barbaro.
*****WHAT BARBARO MEANS*****
by Wm & CL Shaw August 15, 2006
Champion of Champions
includingWords like Hero, Champion, Spirited One,
Fierce Warrier, Heart Like No Other,
Other Worldly,Seabiscuit's Spirit,
Beloved Barbaro & Bobby
Bravehearted One,
America's Favorite Son
Blessed One,
Lucky Swift-Footed, Magnificent One,
Intelligent Smarty One,
Courageous, Graced by God
Sweet Barbaro, Old Soul
Victorious Champion, Miracle Boy
Handsome Big Guy,
Equine Hero,Folkhero,
Heaven's Wings, Perfect Motion,
Graceful Elegant One,
Loving Boy, Champion Spirit
A Loving Champion,
Remarkable Barbaro
One-in-a-Million,
Barbaro's Swagger
Graceful Presence
Superhorse,Thriver,
Mild-Mannered, Light of Hope
Unbeatable,Sweetest Precious,
Miraculous Power, Smartbrains,
Our Kentucky Derby Winner 2006
Update: Alex Brown graciously published Mike's Prayer this morning on his front NEWS PAGE at
Mike's Prayer by Wm & CL Shaw
(inspired by Mary Somano, Healing Therapist)
Loving husband, horsetrainer, father, family man-
Getting stronger improving as you can!
The Lord's light surrounds you easing your family's mind-
The Lord's love protects you-helping you and friends unwind.
The Lord's miracle continue your healing-
His arms wrap around you whatever you're feeling!
Under His protection, you always will be-
While His Miracles continue in you to see.
Another good day closer coming back home-
Therapy allows you to walk better to roam!
Lord's and His Angels presence watch over thee-
Your family's updates bring joyful news about ye.
God's Love, Light, Protection stay here-
Rest now, enjoy His Power erasing all fear!
May each day bring forth joyfully great news-
Keep walking stronger after putting on shoes!
May our Lord's miraculous grace-
Allow coming home to your family's place!
Heal Mike - pulling for you to win your own race.
Alex - Lifeline Man for Barbaro Central's Plan
BARBARO UPDATE: Kathy Anderson just called (7:45 pm) and she was just leaving Barbaro, who was laid down, in an upright position, eating fresh picked grass from a bowl! As she was leaving his masseuse was arriving, who prefers to massage him laying down as he is then less active. Kathy's report was upbeat.
BARBARO's TIME CAPSULE: FROM INTENSIVE CARE TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Barbaro's General Anesthesia Recovery: Dr. Dean Richardson guides him safely on deck.
Sabina Louise Pierce 
Barbaro In Anderson Sling With Short Tail: He accidently tore hairs while extremely thrashing about upon awakening during recovery in early July. Its common practice to tie the tail off during general anesthesia recovery to help horses regain their balance and foothold. 
No more Anderson Sling since early August and lovingly enjoying hand grazing with Dr. Richardson (the Surgeon Who Saved Barbaro's Life) by his side.
www.sabinalouisepierce.com 
Barbaro And Dr. Dean Richardson Are One-In-A-Million
(Edited by Cle Shaw) August 16, 2006
Last evening at about 6:45 pm EST, Bloodhorse.com hosted a special editon featuring questions and live responses with Dr. Dean Richardson, Barbaro's chief surgeon and lifesaver. Since the Preakness accident back on May 20, 2006 to date, New Bolton Center's orthopedic horse surgeon has been in the public eye. Largely due to Barbaro's extremely high profile case, there has been overwhelming requests for more accurate information about our "Charismatic" Hero.
Over 400 requests came in and a moderator reviewed those most relevant. All however, were forwarded to staff at NBC because a phenomenal number also sent encouraging words and concerns for the NBC Team caring for Barbaro. Ron Mitchell, editor for Talkin Horses thanked everyone for their participation.
Summarizing, there were four major areas of strong interest which are:
First - How Barbaro's case has affected Dr. Richardson emotionallly and professionally.
Second - Barbaro's ICU care related to daily rituals for his fractured right hind leg and resected laminitic hoof. Dr. Richardson reveals higher % of hoof removed and why.
Third - involved Laminitis and progression of his recovery and possible setbacks
And fourth - how effective Pain Control plays a critical comfort role for healing in Barbaro's full recovery. What is his prognosis longterm.
www.campaigningforbarbaro.com www.timwoolleyracing.com
Excerpts follow: (Alex Brown thinks like we do....hmm)
"The only reason I became a vet was because I fell in love with horses. I became very involved working with them. If you do that, you get to the point where you love working on horses. I can't deny the fact that (Barbaro) he is very smart and particularly a charismatic horse. He is remarkably quick to pick up when you are trying to help him. Those are the sorts of things that make you like the horse a lot. You are also talking about being in the presence of greatness. And, I think he truly was a great horse who did not have the chance to show it. All those things combined, it is hard not to be emotionally involved with it. I also have a long relationship with and like for the Jacksons and the Matzes."
Responding to emotional attachment and Barbaro's intelligence he said, " I have been very attached to a lot of my patients. The type of work I do (unfortunately) does not always result in a quick fix, so some of my successes and many of my failures stay in the hospital for a long time. I became a veterinarian because I loved horses, so it isn't too hard to get attached to those that you work on for a long time. I am certainly not alone. We have had patients that are so popular that the nursing staff will show up to see them when they come back to the hospital for a follow-up visit."
Also, "I personally care a lot about the equine industry and I want people to understand that there are people like the Jacksons who truly care about their horses...Professionally, my favorite part initially was the challenge of the procedure and the aftercare. My favorite part now is simply trying to save his life. He is a very personable young colt, truly charismatic."
Second - Regarding Barbaro's ICU care: "He gets ICU checks by the nurses four times daily (vital signs, checking how much he's eating, drinking, manure/urine production etc.). He is fed grain mixes, four times daily. He receives free choice alfalfa and timothy hay mix. I change his Left hind foot bandage around 6 am and walk him about 30 minutes in the late afternoon. He is no longer being put in a sling. Previously, we were letting him out of the sling from about 7 pm until 9 am. The Jacksons and Mr. Matz visit at various times and Mrs. Jackson always brings some Lael Farm grass hand picked for him. He gets groomed and bathed at various times. Medications are given at various intervals. Previously, he was on a number of constant intravenous infusions and epidural pain medication. His management is much simpler right now because he is doing so well."
More...referencing Barbaro's hoof resection: "The hoof wall (the hard keratinized portion) including his sole was removed. We eventually removed about 90% of it. The time to completely regrow a hoof varies, but a reasonable estimate would be about 9 - 12 months. He will be considered out of the woods when there's an acceptably strong structure to his Left Hind foot and complete integrity, comfort, and strength in his Right Hind leg... The internal fixation plate and screws (implants) are only removed if they are associated with an ongoing infection. Otherwise, we leave them in place."
Regarding his leg surgery, "the long hind pastern bone was shattered pieces. They were markedly displaced. The long pastern bone was essentially exploded. Only a few free fragments of cortical (dense) bone were removed. These were pieces that were unattached to any shred of soft tissue. We used about 40cc of cancellous bone graft taken from his right tuber coxae (point of the hip)." ..."A younger horse heals more rapidly. Both his fractures and his LH hoof would be far more difficult to manage in an older horse."
Healing Length time for the Pastern Bone fusion: " It looked excellent during the last cast change. We only assess it carefully when we have the cast off because the x-ray doesn't go clearly through the cast. It looked like it was really progressing well. We did that procedure in early July and the soonest I would expect it to be solid enough to take out of the cast would be early September. But it could be later. It is all depending upon what it looks like."
Third, lots of questions to Barbaro's Acute Laminitis: After his LH foot heals, "he absolutely will have a higher risk of laminitis and other foot problems in the LF foot. A horse that has had it once definitely is at a higher risk of having it again. Understand that laminitis can be caused by uneven weight-bearing distribution...There is always unequal weight-bearing. His bone was broken. We don't expect him to have equal weight-bearing. It is a matter of degree and , to some extent, luck whether or not they founder. Some horses can stand on three legs for months without developing laminitis. Others founder within days."
Also in reference to diet: "There is a common misconception about grains causing laminitis. Alfalfa and grain DO NOT cause Laminitis in a case such as this. Overeating can cause Laminitis but the mechanisms are quite different. A horse in Barbaro's condition NEEDS to eat a lot of high quality feed in order to maintain his weight and optimize healing."
On Barbaro's laminitic hoof resection: "Hoof resection doesn't "prevent" rotation of the coffin bone. Rotation is defined by the coffin bone's relationship to the hoof and by the relationship of the coffin bone to the middle phalanx (short pastern bone). When the hoof wall is gone, the former is irrelevant. The major thing that was done to treat the rotation of the P3 was to cut the deep digital flexor tendon. That helps maintain the correct alignment of his phalanges (bones below the fetlock). As far as any possible aggravation from a special left hind support shoe causing his acute laminitis, "I don't know that it had an effect one way or the other."
Specific treaments for his laminitic hoof: " I have been reluctant to and will not say what brand names we are using, but it is a very simple treatment. He basically gets his foot cleaned daily and and a very generic antibiotic. The only thing we are putting on it is a silver sulfur diozine that is non-irritating. We put a padded bandage on his foot and put the foot in a boot which has several pieces of foam at the bottom."
Survival rate of horses with Laminitis: "I don't know... A Lot of people just don't treat this severe a case that often. Treating the laminitis is a nursing skill. Plus, people shouldn't lose track of the fact that Barbaro has two problems, and I still have to focus on the injury to his right rear."
Finally, Effective Pain Management Control: The one factor that has allowed Barbaro to do so well fighting his laminitis: "It's hard to pick one thing because there are many factors. The first thing is that our timing on the procedure that was done with the hoof resection was good. If I had to pick ONE, I would have to say our ability to manage pain early on was helpful. I think our pain management techniques in the early stages of laminitis were very successful."
Current Chances of Laminitis Spreading: "Right now, his chances of developing it in his front feet are fairlly low because he is healthy and bearing good weight on both hind limbs. If he has any serious setback in term of his hindlimb comfort, his front feet will definitely be at more risk."
Longterm Chances For Barbaro's Full Recovery: "I still believe there is a chance to save him to be a comfortable breeding stallion, capable of naturally covering mares."
The entire 15 pages can be reviewed in its entirety at http://www.bloodhorse.com/talkinhorses/DR081608.asp
(Photos by Sabina Pierce University of Pennsylvania & UPENN VETS)
On July 3, 2006 Barbaro undergoes another surgery to repair his R. Hind Leg where screws shifted and bent. To the right, Dr. Richardson and medical team Barbaro review his recent radiographs taken of his Charismatic famous patient.
Barbaro Fans and Well-Wishers continue to send him and NBC's ICU staff lots prayers and Get
