Barbaro Updates: 44
updates are now here.
Update 449: Kathy Anderson just called, she was just leaving New Bolton (8:15 pm). Another positive report. Barbaro had a bath today, he has been outside. He was laying down again when she visited, and got up without any problem. Kathy had not visited for a few days (she was away at a conference) and thought she could see a slight positive uptick in his attitude now he has been able to go outside. Despite his ability to go outside, he still gets the hand picked grass in his stall!
Update 448: Spoke to Peter Brette at about 7 pm this evening. He visited Bobby at 1 pm. Barbaro was lying down, asleep. Peter's report was upbeat, much as we have been hearing lately!
Update 447: NBC10s six o'clock news will show a Bobby update. I am sure other local news channels will do the same.
Update 446: Dr. Richardson's birthday is coming up soon apparently. An idea for honoring this occasion is being discussed on the discussion board: Dr. Richardson's Birthday.
Kennett Florist have reported on their visits today to New Bolton (timestamp: 8:37 pm)
What fabulous news!! Seeing Bobby out and grazing brought tears to all of our eyes today!
We had two trips to NBC today. Bright and early Alie and I brought hot bagels and spreads, juice and coffee to all the hungry docs and staff. As always they were very thankful to all who send them treats - even though they all say they've gained weight since Bobby's been there! We also brought up Bobby's favorite carrots so that he was not neglected in the breakfast festivities!
This afternoon things are still upbeat and everyone just seems so excited that he's been able to get out into the sun and graze. We brought some snacks for the later shifts. Thank you all, again and again for all that you do! We are so honored to be a part of this team.
WE BELIEVE!!
Update 445: Bobby is hot on the AP wire today (not sure if that is how you say it but ...) The following articles appear identical other than their headlines: Barbaro Walks Outside, Grazing on Grass, Barbaro takes a walk outside and Barbaro walks outside, grazing on grass. They include the following Dean Richardson quotes:
"It's a big step just to know he feels good enough that you can take him out of the stall and walk him around like a normal horse and he eats grass like a normal horse," Dean Richardson, chief surgeon at the New Bolton Center, said Monday. "That doesn't mean he's healed. It just means things are going well right now."
and
"I thought he was thrilled the first time he went out," Richardson said in a telephone interview from New Bolton. "He just seemed very happy to be out. You can tell he's looking forward to it every day. It's absolutely normal. Horses love to be outside, obviously, and he's pretty excited about it."
and
"I think we're lucky his tissues are fairly healthy," Richardson said. "I don't know why he's more comfortable than some horses with the same condition."
Barbaro had the cast on his injured right hind leg changed last Tuesday and Richardson said it might not need to be changed for about another three weeks. The left hoof, which needs to completely regrow if the colt is to have any shot of walking, remains the biggest concern.
"He's got to get this left hind foot to the point where it's a solid structure that can sustain long-term weight bearing," Richardson said. "Could there still be some major things resulting in him having to be put down? Yeah. He's absolutely not out of the woods yet."
Update 444: New Bolton's video: Barbaro Video, August 14. You need quicktime. Its 3m 51 secs. and includes a short interview with Dr. Richardson at the end. It clearly shows Bobby walking comfortably, and enjoying the great outdoors!
Update 443: Thoroughbred Times reports Bobby's grazing: Barbaro grazes outside following cast change which includes the following excerpt:
"That's the first time he's been outside since we brought him in," said Gretchen Jackson, who bred and campaigned Barbaro along with her husband, Roy, in the name of their Lael Stables. "Dean took him out, and he just stood there for easily five minutes, looking at the scenery like, 'Oh my God, I'd forgotten about all of this.' He just looked around for some time before he put his head down, and then he ate away and was probably out for a good 20 minutes, enjoying himself. It was just the nurses out there and maybe a few vets and I think there were quite a few tears shed to see him do that."
Update 442: New Barbaro pictures: Barbaro hand-grazes at the New Bolton Center with Dr. Dean Richardson..
Update 441: New Bolton Center's press release today (not yet on their site): Barbaro well enough to hand graze outside:
After almost three months in the Intensive Care Unit of Penn's George D. Widener Hospital, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro has begun brief outings to some grassy areas adjacent to the ICU to hand graze. "We felt he was ready for a change of scenery, so last week we took him outside to pick his own grass," said Dr. Dean Richardson, Chief of Surgery. "He's not outside for a long time, but it's enough to let him enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. If he remains this comfortable, he will be hand-grazed daily."
Photos will be available on the Penn Vet Web site later today that show Barbaro being walked to the ICU's grazing area. "I'm very pleased with his progress," said Dr. Richardson. "His appetite remains strong, he sleeps well, and we continue to monitor him closely. He is measurably gaining weight and his overall attitude is great."
The photos show the cast on the right hind leg, which encloses the foot and extends up to just below the hock, the bandage on the left hind foot and support wraps on Barbaro's front legs.
Update 440: As many have noted in the comments, Barbaro was on Good Morning America this morning. Here is the video from GMA (check top stories). The video they used will be posted to New Bolton's site soon (as Dr. Richardson told us this morning) along with photographs! I believe the footage is from friday. Here is a comment that fairly represents many other comments (Posted by: marie from atl at August 14, 2006 02:03 PM):
Just saw the video. WOW! Barbaro looks great and Dr. R looks very happy.
Good morning everyone. What a nice way to start the day.
Update 439: Another comfortable night for Barbaro last night (sunday night). Just saw Michael Matz as I was going to the track on my third set...he was literally hanging up the phone with Dr. Richardson. Dr. Richardson also said that there will be new video of Bobby on the New Bolton Center site today. I believe there will be new photos as well.
updated monday 7:05am
Update 438: I am hoping Michael Matz is now back from Saratoga (I won't know until I see him at Fair Hill). If so then I hope our morning update will be that, in the morning! I have about nine to ride, but should be able to get a little free time if I get the morning report. In the meantime, keep enjoying the cartoon caption contest, there are already close to 100 entries and it was only posted yesterday!