Posted on 06/14/2006 12:17:09 AM PDT by beyond the sea
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. -- Barbaro had the cast replaced on his shattered right hind leg Tuesday, another huge stride in the recovery of the Kentucky Derby winner who suffered a life-threatening injury at the Preakness.
Barbaro's cast was replaced under general anesthesia, and the 3-year-old bay colt had a very smooth pool recovery, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine's New Bolton Center said in a statement.
Dean Richardson, the chief of surgery at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, replaced the cast he first put on Barbaro's leg during surgery May 21.
"His leg looks excellent," Richardson said in the statement. "The incision has healed well and judging by the radiographs, the graft is opacifying [taking]. Callus is forming nicely, and all of the implants look unchanged."
This is excellent news. Nothing has shifted, healing is progressing . . . so far so good.
He seems like a steady boy. His level-headedness is more typical of an older horse, not a crazy colt. THAT would be a good quality to pass on to a crop of little Barbaros . . .
Good news....but did we ever find out when he broke his leg?......some say it was BEFORE the race.....
Indeed it seems his life is charmed, everything as good as they can hope :~D
I saw video of him dancing around during his bath, he's able to move quite well, using both back legs pretty normally.
I don't think anyone knows for sure.
You are more than welcome.
I want to give this sweet and good horse a couple of carrots and a nice juicy apple some day in the near future.
;-)
"His level-headedness is more typical of an older horse, not a crazy colt. THAT would be a good quality to pass on to a crop of little Barbaros" --- that would be a good quality to pass on to a substantial crop of human beings.
;-)
How much longer till he's "out of the woods"?
Me too.
He's such a well-behaved animal ......... and apparently quite wise for a three year old (or any age), it looks pretty good for the sweet fellow.
Fingers crossed .............
I doubt that.
But there are many more folks here who know much more than I do about horses, that particular race, and the injury itself.
They will perhaps fill you in.
I'm an optimist, so I'd say he's out of the woods now, the best news is he didn't get infected, and likely won't now. I don't know how long till they uncast him and/or start exercising him more. Maybe at least another month or more. We'd be casted 8 weeks for a break, and we heal much faster in the leg than they do.
Absolutely great news! Barbaro has that "winning spirit" about him, and when it comes to healing, it sure does help.
Thanks for the ping. Great news! :)
Yea!
Yes Mame, spirit of his sort is about everything in healing.
This horse seems positive and wise, and, I hear that he's even eying the "ladies" now too.
;-)
Thank you for the Update. Excellent news!
You're very welcome. Thanks for loving this fine animal.
Ha, *of course* they took the cast off yesterday! The update page said on *Monday* that they would not be updating every day now, but every week.
So, I took a "day off" from getting updates, thinking of Barbaro off and on yesterday. Now I find out they did the first big thing and even had to put him under for it, and do another pool recovery.
At least everything sounds very good so far!
(Funny how *news* happens when you're "in the shower". Bush had a press conference this morning that I wanted to watch - FR said it would be at 9:45 AM - I did some chores, turned on TV at 9:45 AM, nothing ... nothing ... nothing. Press conference was already over - had started an hour earlier. And Barbaro got his cast off yesterday, while I wasn't paying attention. Guess the Universe doesn't need me to run it anymore!)
Go Barbaro Go!!
Thanks for the update!It is great to hear good news,as I have been hard pressed to find info on his present condition.Hope you can keep up the updates as you find them.As an avid horse person,I had my doubts there for awhile.Thanks again.Regards,xarmydog
Many thanks for the update. Barbaro remains on my St. Francis prayer list.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.