barbaro latest

[Sparky]

This is my first post to this discussion group, but I do have a question..... don't know a lot about laminitis and recovery from it, especially a case this serious, but is it possible he STILL might not grow enough useful hoof on his left leg to allow him to survive? Dr. Richardson seems more than a bit negative on that subject. Right now that seems the most critical issue facing this brave guy.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by bobwhite71

This is my first post to this discussion group, but I do have a question..... don't know a lot about laminitis and recovery from it, especially a case this serious, but is it possible he STILL might not grow enough useful hoof on his left leg to allow him to survive? Dr. Richardson seems more than a bit negative on that subject. Right now that seems the most critical issue facing this brave guy.

It is still possible that barbaro might suffer a relapse of the laminitis in either his existing bad foot or one of his other 3 feet due to uneven weight distribution...however given that he has the absolute best care that money can buy and he has shown that he has a very strong will to survive I have great hope that this won't happen.
he does however face the long term issues of a foundered horse...once the bones in the foot have rotated the case is considered chronic founder, since there will likely be ongoing low grade inflammation in the foot...they are more prone to foot abscesses and the hoof wall itself tends to grow erratically and the sensitive laminae never regains all of is original strength...and his handlers will have to be careful to avoid situations that may trigger another episode....such as overload on grass or grain, excess physical stress, even vaccination reactions etc can be a real problem for the laminitic horse. Basically any situation that triggers an immune response can also lead to another episode.

[todko]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

It is still possible that barbaro might suffer a relapse of the laminitis in either his existing bad foot or one of his other 3 feet due to uneven weight distribution...however given that he has the absolute best care that money can buy and he has shown that he has a very stong will to survive I have great hope that this won't happen.
he does however face the long term issues of a foundered horse...they are more prone to foot abscesses and the hoof wall itself tends to grow erratically and is misshapen...and his handlers will have to be careful to avoid situations that may trigger another episode....such as overload on grass or grain, excess physical stress, even vaccination reactions etc can be a real problem for the laminitic horse.

Very well said.

The fact that Dr. Morrison has been to New Bolton a number of times probably indicates some complications with the laminitic hoof. Barbaro's life depends on his ability to adjust his weight distribution evenly.

I still play the '06 Derby at times -- Barbaro was a serious racehorse. To stay near the lead through those fractions and still come home in the 2nd fastest final quarter (only Secretariat came home better) is chilling. Watch him run out and come back on his toes nipping at the pony. He could have went around again.

It'd have been so cool to see him go back to the turf after the Derby. Run in Europe -- take down the Arc. He was a monster on the grass.

[Danzig]

actually, i think they've had a foot specialist in because A-that's his only real issue now, and B-they want to get him out of dodge and to a warmer climate, and they don't want that foot to turn into a real issue. luckily the weather has been fairly mild.
his hoof is growing back 'funny'--they don't think it will ever look like a normal hoof again. they just have to keep it, and him, on an even keel, or the fight begins all over again.

yes, there are still issues with that hoof--as pais said, there probably always will be. but there are horses who survive with chronic laminitis. his is an acute case, of course he will always have a higher risk of having another bout. but he's come so far, he has such tremendous spirit. i'm hoping to be reading updates on him for years to come.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by todko

Very well said.

The fact that Dr. Morrison has been to New Bolton a number of times probably indicates some complications with the laminitic hoof. Barbaro's life depends on his ability to adjust his weight distribution evenly.

I still play the '06 Derby at times -- Barbaro was a serious racehorse. To stay near the lead through those fractions and still come home in the 2nd fastest final quarter (only Secretariat came home better) is chilling. Watch him run out and come back on his toes nipping at the pony. He could have went around again.

It'd have been so cool to see him go back to the turf after the Derby. Run in Europe -- take down the Arc. He was a monster on the grass.

He was the best 3YO on grass, as well. We all got robbed of a great one... let's hope he can continue to improve.

if you go back and watch that Derby again, notice how well his stablemate runs as well. Showing Up ran an absolute MONSTER race in only his 4th career start to track the pace and finish 6th- it's pretty cool to see the Lael stables silks next to each other the whole way down the backstretch. They were actually 1-2 for a brief moment at the top of the stretch before the deep closers passed Showing Up in midstretch.