preakness gone bad
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: Northeast of Toronto.
Originally Posted by lenny1carl
kind of weird.. as much as i want to see that horse get better, and i do very much, you have people with signs for the horse to get better, and people calling troops in iraq baby killers.... i wonder if the world needs a horse to rally around, as synical as that sounds!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 2
From: CA Central Coast
Originally Posted by bigdmizer
When a human breaks a limb it is immobilized for usually 6 weeks sometimes more. With a horse this is not possible. A horse cannot stand or walk without using all four legs. A horse that cannot stand will die from complications of laying down too long. (internal complications....intestinal compaction, circulation issues etc.) In order to spare the horse from the ensuing agony of the complications it is euthanized. I believe that is why. If I am wrong someone please correct me.
Hopefully this horses humans are as enterprising.
Racetrack horses aren't usually trained well to hang around, and they don't as a rule take to inaction.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
Gone but not forgotten.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 2
My favorite racehorse of all time, Ruffian, broke her leg in a match race (the jockey had trouble stopping her, she tried to keep in front). They were unable to save this great horse and had to put her down. "She was never defeated, and never headed. She set or equaled a new stakes record in every one of the eight stakes races she won. She raced at distances from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/2 miles with an average winning margin of 8 1/3 lengths. She was queen of the track, and everyone knew it".
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: Northeast of Toronto.
My favorite horse was Northern Dancer. Everyone said he couldn't win but that little horse did win. I don't know if he was born at Winfield Farms but he's buried there and that's 15 minutes from my house.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
Heh, I think Northern Dancer is everyone's favorite...from the breeding standpoint anyway. I don't know the percentage of thoroughbreds carrying some Northern Dancer bloodline, but the number would be astonishing. At least 80% ( and probably 90%) of the 20 horses in the Kentucky Derby were Northern Dancer descendants.
Last edited by keith w; May 22, 2006 at 03:53 AM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
Barbaro has taken a turn for the worse 
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...n1804674.shtml
(CBS/AP) Barbaro was doing "much better" Friday morning, a day after his veterinarian said the Kentucky Derby winner was a "long shot" to survive a potentially fatal hoof disease.
"He had a good night last night, and even slept on his side," Dr. Dean Richardson told The Associated Press early Friday before re-entering the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals to check again on the 3-year-colt. "He's doing much better."
Richardson appeared a bit more upbeat than he was Thursday, when he told a packed news conference that Barbaro has a severe case of the disease laminitis in his left hind leg, and termed his condition "poor."
Laminitis is a potentially fatal condition that causes the tissues that connect the hoof to the foot to swell and separate, says The Early Show's resident veterinarian, Dr. Debbye Turner.
Doctors have removed much of the affected hoof and must now wait until it regrows. As long as painkillers keep Barbaro comfortable, Richardson says they won't give up.
"If he starts acting like he doesn't want to stand on the leg, that's it — that will be when we call it quits," a blunt Richardson said Thursday during a news conference at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.
"It could happen within 24 hours," he added.
The vet, who has been treating Barbaro since the colt's breakdown, said Thursday that Barbaro looks fine — "his ears are up, he's bright, he's looking around." But that doesn't reflect the true nature of his condition.
"I'd be lying if I said anything other than poor," he said. "As long as the horse is not suffering, we are going to continue to try to save him. If we can keep him comfortable, we think it's worth the effort."
Barbaro is being treated aggressively with pain medication and remains in the same stall he's been in since being brought to the intensive care unit.
Only the sight of fiberglass casts on both hind legs — a longer cast is on the right leg — gives any indication that something is terribly wrong with Barbaro.
"If you look at this horse, it'd be hard to put him down," Richardson said.
That precisely is the awful task that could be imminent because of a disease that has no cure.
"It's a devastating problem in horses that nobody has a solution to," Richardson said.
Until his misstep at the Preakness, Barbaro's career was nothing short of brilliant.
He won his first five starts, including the Florida Derby. His 6½-length victory at the Derby was so convincing he was being hailed as the next likely Triple Crown champion — and first since Affirmed since 1978.
But seconds after the gates swung open at Pimlico, that career was cut short when the colt broke down, his right hind leg flaring out awkwardly because of three broken bones.
Race fans at Pimlico wept and within 24 hours the entire nation seemed to be caught up in a "Barbaro watch," waiting for any news of his surgery and condition.
And for the longest time, it all seemed to be going well.
Barbaro's first six weeks of recovery were relatively smooth — despite five hours of surgery to insert a titanium plate and 27 screws into his three shattered bones.
Each day brought more optimism: Barbaro was eyeing the mares, nickering, gobbling up his feed and trying to walk out of his stall. There was great hope Barbaro somehow would overcome the odds and live a life of leisure on the farm, although he'd always have a hitch in his gait.
Richardson, along with owners Gretchen and Roy Jackson and trainer Michael Matz, all believed the colt had a chance to recover.
Until last week, when Barbaro's condition steadily worsened.
The colt underwent three surgical procedures and four cast changes on the injured leg, followed by a hoof wall resection.
"I really thought we were going to make it two weeks ago," Richardson said. "Today I'm not as confident."
Within hours of the grim update, roses and apples began arriving at the hospital, and hundreds of get-well e-mail messages were posted on a Web site set up by the New Bolton Center.
The vet didn't mince words: "It's as bad a laminitis as you can have. It's as bad as it gets."
He said he has discussed the situation closely with the Jacksons, who have stressed that their main concern is for Barbaro to be pain free.
Several telephone messages left for the Jacksons and Matz were not returned.
Richardson said Barbaro's injured right hind leg was healing well, but because a horse has to be evenly balanced to carry his weight, laminitis set in on the other foot. Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown winner, was euthanized due to laminitis in 1989.
"The reason we cut away the hoof wall is because the hoof wall is not connected" to the bone, he said. "If you had a nail that was separated from the end you'd pull it off. It's dead tissue that's in the way of living tissue."
Richardson said it would take several months for the hoof to grow back, and as long as six months to be completely healed.
Barbaro has been fitted with a sling to prevent sudden movements and allow him to shift his weight from side to side. The main goal is comfort.
"The sling is on only some of the day, when it's off, he can lie down," Richardson said. "We are not torturing this horse."
Edgar Prado, the jockey credited with saving Barbaro by quickly pulling him up in the Preakness, was devastated by the grim prognosis.
"It's very upsetting," he said. "Barbaro has shown to everyone what a fighter he is. He showed it on the track and with all the surgeries he's had. It just goes to show what kind of courage he has. He's a true champion, and is fighting every step of the way.
"All we can do now is hope and pray. We'll need a miracle, but maybe it will happen."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...n1804674.shtml
(CBS/AP) Barbaro was doing "much better" Friday morning, a day after his veterinarian said the Kentucky Derby winner was a "long shot" to survive a potentially fatal hoof disease.
"He had a good night last night, and even slept on his side," Dr. Dean Richardson told The Associated Press early Friday before re-entering the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals to check again on the 3-year-colt. "He's doing much better."
Richardson appeared a bit more upbeat than he was Thursday, when he told a packed news conference that Barbaro has a severe case of the disease laminitis in his left hind leg, and termed his condition "poor."
Laminitis is a potentially fatal condition that causes the tissues that connect the hoof to the foot to swell and separate, says The Early Show's resident veterinarian, Dr. Debbye Turner.
Doctors have removed much of the affected hoof and must now wait until it regrows. As long as painkillers keep Barbaro comfortable, Richardson says they won't give up.
"If he starts acting like he doesn't want to stand on the leg, that's it — that will be when we call it quits," a blunt Richardson said Thursday during a news conference at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.
"It could happen within 24 hours," he added.
The vet, who has been treating Barbaro since the colt's breakdown, said Thursday that Barbaro looks fine — "his ears are up, he's bright, he's looking around." But that doesn't reflect the true nature of his condition.
"I'd be lying if I said anything other than poor," he said. "As long as the horse is not suffering, we are going to continue to try to save him. If we can keep him comfortable, we think it's worth the effort."
Barbaro is being treated aggressively with pain medication and remains in the same stall he's been in since being brought to the intensive care unit.
Only the sight of fiberglass casts on both hind legs — a longer cast is on the right leg — gives any indication that something is terribly wrong with Barbaro.
"If you look at this horse, it'd be hard to put him down," Richardson said.
That precisely is the awful task that could be imminent because of a disease that has no cure.
"It's a devastating problem in horses that nobody has a solution to," Richardson said.
Until his misstep at the Preakness, Barbaro's career was nothing short of brilliant.
He won his first five starts, including the Florida Derby. His 6½-length victory at the Derby was so convincing he was being hailed as the next likely Triple Crown champion — and first since Affirmed since 1978.
But seconds after the gates swung open at Pimlico, that career was cut short when the colt broke down, his right hind leg flaring out awkwardly because of three broken bones.
Race fans at Pimlico wept and within 24 hours the entire nation seemed to be caught up in a "Barbaro watch," waiting for any news of his surgery and condition.
And for the longest time, it all seemed to be going well.
Barbaro's first six weeks of recovery were relatively smooth — despite five hours of surgery to insert a titanium plate and 27 screws into his three shattered bones.
Each day brought more optimism: Barbaro was eyeing the mares, nickering, gobbling up his feed and trying to walk out of his stall. There was great hope Barbaro somehow would overcome the odds and live a life of leisure on the farm, although he'd always have a hitch in his gait.
Richardson, along with owners Gretchen and Roy Jackson and trainer Michael Matz, all believed the colt had a chance to recover.
Until last week, when Barbaro's condition steadily worsened.
The colt underwent three surgical procedures and four cast changes on the injured leg, followed by a hoof wall resection.
"I really thought we were going to make it two weeks ago," Richardson said. "Today I'm not as confident."
Within hours of the grim update, roses and apples began arriving at the hospital, and hundreds of get-well e-mail messages were posted on a Web site set up by the New Bolton Center.
The vet didn't mince words: "It's as bad a laminitis as you can have. It's as bad as it gets."
He said he has discussed the situation closely with the Jacksons, who have stressed that their main concern is for Barbaro to be pain free.
Several telephone messages left for the Jacksons and Matz were not returned.
Richardson said Barbaro's injured right hind leg was healing well, but because a horse has to be evenly balanced to carry his weight, laminitis set in on the other foot. Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown winner, was euthanized due to laminitis in 1989.
"The reason we cut away the hoof wall is because the hoof wall is not connected" to the bone, he said. "If you had a nail that was separated from the end you'd pull it off. It's dead tissue that's in the way of living tissue."
Richardson said it would take several months for the hoof to grow back, and as long as six months to be completely healed.
Barbaro has been fitted with a sling to prevent sudden movements and allow him to shift his weight from side to side. The main goal is comfort.
"The sling is on only some of the day, when it's off, he can lie down," Richardson said. "We are not torturing this horse."
Edgar Prado, the jockey credited with saving Barbaro by quickly pulling him up in the Preakness, was devastated by the grim prognosis.
"It's very upsetting," he said. "Barbaro has shown to everyone what a fighter he is. He showed it on the track and with all the surgeries he's had. It just goes to show what kind of courage he has. He's a true champion, and is fighting every step of the way.
"All we can do now is hope and pray. We'll need a miracle, but maybe it will happen."
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 2
From: CA Central Coast
That long quote mentioned he's been stall confined sounds like 24/7. That is a Catch-22 with this kind of injury and Laminitis.
Movement is crucial to get the fluid moving out of the hoof, but movement must be restricted because of the breaks. I wonder if any of the vets have considered a sling and a hydro pool, to let the horse"walk" on the bottom while supported by the water?
Hoof wall resection is old school thinkng, and I'm concerned these vets are not up on the latest research concerning hoof health. Don't laugh, I've seen well regarded track vets and farriers totally wedded to outdated techniques that make the problems worse...and horse folks can be stubborn about their traditions and don't take kindly to "newfangled" ideas.
Movement is crucial to get the fluid moving out of the hoof, but movement must be restricted because of the breaks. I wonder if any of the vets have considered a sling and a hydro pool, to let the horse"walk" on the bottom while supported by the water?
Hoof wall resection is old school thinkng, and I'm concerned these vets are not up on the latest research concerning hoof health. Don't laugh, I've seen well regarded track vets and farriers totally wedded to outdated techniques that make the problems worse...and horse folks can be stubborn about their traditions and don't take kindly to "newfangled" ideas.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
71dusterdan
General NON-Automotive Conversation
7
Jan 13, 2009 06:24 PM