Barbaro remains a happy, comfortable horse

[spindrifter]

August 22, 2006

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro remains comfortable according to veterinarians at Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital . “Barbaro is doing well on both hind limbs,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “Because of this, we do not plan to change his right hind cast in the next two weeks.”

The colt’s left hind foot has laminitis, but Barbaro seems comfortable with that foot as well. “He needs to continue to improve over the next few months before we will have a better idea about his long term comfort.” said Dr. Richardson. “Barbaro’s appetite and his attitude right now are phenomenal; he attacks his feed and when he goes out to graze, he acts like he thinks he could train.”

Doctors remain cautious about Barbaro’s prognosis because, according to Dr. Richardson, there is no assurance that he will surmount all of his medical problems. “Right now, he is a surprisingly happy horse,” he said. “He is gaining weight and has had his pain medications reduced without any effect on his well being. His strength and overall appearance have been improving since he became well enough to be walked outside each day.”

<more>

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro_Update8-22.htm

[brook]

1. Thanks for the update.

Barbaro's seeming recovery is a bright spot in the dismal world these days.

If Barbaro can recover from such a horrendous event, maybe the USA can survive * too. :)

[kohodog]

2. An amazing animal

Horses are quite remarkable and This is an amazing horse with wonderful owners.

[Berry Cool]

3. All the odds have been against this horse, except for his stud value

which made him worth trying to save. But all the money in the world put toward his recovery would not have helped if he developed problems that just couldn't be fixed.

It'ss heartening to hear of him doing so well. A little bright spot in dark times. It's great to hear about anyone beating the odds.

[kohodog]

4. I don't think he has much stud value without a complete recovery

If I'm not mistaken, it is not legal to race horses that have been artificially inseminated, and a lame stallion cannot be put out to stud. I do not think that is why they have put so much care into healing him.

[TahitiNut]

5. Interesting bit of trivia.

The Jockey Club — the governing body of thoroughbred racing — doesn't permit artificial insemination when breeding thoroughbred race horses. (It is allowed for harness racing.) Cloning isn't permitted either. It's apparently largely because of the potential for fraud and abuse - a GREAT deal of money is involved. It's also a way to keep the motivation high for making today's and tomorrow's champions since a great deal of their value comes from the stud fees and not just the purses. If someone had stored gallons of Secretariat's or Man of War's semen, the market (that ol' supply and demand rule) would decline.

Section V
RULES FOR REGISTRATION, GENETIC TYPING AND PARENTAGE VERIFICATION

1. ELIGIBILITY FOR FOAL REGISTRATION

<...>

D. To be eligible for registration, a foal must be the result of a stallion’s Breeding with a broodmare (which is the physical mounting of a broodmare by a stallion with intromission of the penis and ejaculation of semen into the reproductive tract). As an aid to the Breeding, a portion of the ejaculate produced by the stallion during such mating may immediately be placed in the uterus of the broodmare being bred. A natural gestation must take place in, and delivery must be from, the body of the same broodmare in which the foal was conceived. Without limiting the above, any foal resulting from or produced by the processes of Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer or Transplant, Cloning or any other form of genetic manipulation not herein specified, shall not be eligible for registration.

http://www.jockeyclub.com/registry.asp?section=3#one

[MuseRider]

6. Fascinating.

I know of no other horse sport with rules like that. AI is the way to go to maintain the health and well being of both the mare and the stud in most other horse sports, at least as far as I know. I had no idea that racing was that different. Thanks.

[kskiska]

7. No problem

(snip)

"In a case such as Barbaro's, his medical team would plan and monitor physical therapy with breeding in mind," she said. "Amazing things have been done to accommodate disabled breeding stallions, from custom-built breeding ramps to supportive splints or casts, to medications that reduce the amount of effort required. But in most cases, simple old-fashioned careful attention to detail, such as highly skilled stallion and mare handlers who can allow the stallion to compensate for his limitations, good athletic surfaces, and a breeding schedule customized to the stallion's fitness and fertility, can help sports injured stallions enjoy remarkably normal and successful breeding careers."

New Bolton reported that it has been among the leaders in developing methods of assisting aging and disabled stallions to breed.

more…
http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33813

[soothsayer]

9. yep! they have to do it the old fashioned way. I bet his insurance

would have paid handsomely if he'd been put down, so I'm glad they went this route with him

[bklyncowgirl]

8. For what it's worth, the owners said they love the horse.

They said they would have tried to save him even if he was a gelding. If money was the only issue, I don't think the owners would have been visiting him every day bringing him treats and taking him for walks.

There are alot of godawful human beings in horse racing as in any sport--or in politics for that matter. I've been impressed by what a decent group of people seem to surround Barbaro.

It does give you some hope for the world.