Preakness - Barbaro - OMG!!!

[TerriP]

This really struck me. It's a quote from Gretchen Jackson, in responding to a question about what is it about Barbaro that has captured the American public so much:

GREAT quote, Deb!!

 

[Deb in IA]

And Edgar Prado, usually stoic and unemotional, cried for days . . .

Barbaro's Jockey Prado Cried for Days
Barbaro Happy, Stable, Napping; Jockey Edgar Prado Still Trying to Cope With Accident

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. May 25, 2006 (AP)— Barbaro's jockey said he spent days in tears after the Kentucky Derby winner's career-ending breakdown in the Preakness Stakes. "Of all the tears I have cried, if tears could heal a wound, Barbaro would be healed by now," Edgar Prado said Wednesday on the New York Racing Association's Web site. "I've been thinking about him and I've been crying on and off."

Prado won three races Wednesday after the track was closed the past two days. On Sunday, the day after the Preakness at Pimlico, Prado won two races at Belmont.

"Saturday was a nightmare," Prado said. "I was heartbroken Monday and Tuesday. The busier I stay, the better it will be for me."

Barbaro, who was unbeaten in six races and a serious Triple Crown threat, shattered three bones in his right hind leg at the start of the Preakness.

"I have never ridden a horse that broke down that was as special as Barbaro," Prado said. "A lot of people thought this was the year there'd be a Triple Crown. All we can do now is pray for him to have a speedy recovery and for him to enjoy the rest of his life."

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/wireStory?id=2002255

 

[OK!]

I've been checking this thread every day for updates on Barbaro's condition, each time cringing and hoping desperately not to read bad news. Thank God there hasn't been any to post!

I've lived around horses all my life (have photos of me in my first show, at 6 months old ) and was horrified to see a beautiful creature like Barbaro injured the way he was. Many prayers for his speedy recovery and long and happy life!

 

[crazymomof4]

My Mom was in the hospital for almost a year back in 1996 and when she came home and was finally able for us to get her to the barn in her wheelchair, we brought her stallion out of his stall to see her and this horse literally dropped to his knee's in front of her like he was bowing and put his nose in her lap and "talked" to her his eye's we're watering and he was ecstatic to see his mommy back. I hope all go's well with your kitty and her treatments.

My eyes were watering reading this! How sweet. Animals just know. One of my cats just senses when one of my kids is sick. Where ever they are, she lays with them, close up against them. When my DS#3 was a toddler he'd fall asleep on the couch often. This same cat would always position herself so as to prevent him from rolling off. She never would lay at his feet or at his head or on the other side of him....always to the outside. Coincidence? I don't think so. Here I am going on about my cats...............I guess we're just a bunch of animal lovers on this thread!

Thanks for the well-wishes.

 

[crazymomof4]

Yesterday's update included a lot of photos of him and of his stall...

I have one of those photos as my desktop background! The one with the caption, "Close up of Barbaro".

 

[crazymomof4]

Just wondering............

How many of you think that you will be able to watch the Belmont Stakes race?

Right now, I just don't think I can watch it, without Barbaro in it........too painful to think of him in the hospital instead of running and what might have been.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Just wondering............

How many of you think that you will be able to watch the Belmont Stakes race?

Right now, I just don't think I can watch it, without Barbaro in it........too painful to think of him in the hospital instead of running and what might have been.

I can't stand to watch any race live or simulcast. It makes me too nervous. I was at the rail a number of years ago and witnessed a nasty crash right in front of us. That cooked me, I'm done.

 

[maxiesmom]

Just wondering............

How many of you think that you will be able to watch the Belmont Stakes race?

Right now, I just don't think I can watch it, without Barbaro in it........too painful to think of him in the hospital instead of running and what might have been.

I am very curious on how they will cover the race. It would seem kind of hard to get everyone excited about the Belmont, given what happened to Barbaro, and with the Preekness winner not running either.

 

[ophie]

I'll still watch it. The Belmont isn't just the third race in the triple crown.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

He is still doing well.
Prognosis is still optimistic.

And his Jockey visited him

I had a link to a story earlier but cannot find it. Docs were talking about at this point and his prognosis and what he can't do--but what is expected that he could do. But I lost the link so I am useless.

10 days at and all still looks cautiously optimistic for Barbaro.

 

[maxiesmom]

Look in you local newspaper. Our has a great AP photo of Edgar Prado Kissing Barbaro, and Barbaro looking at him. Sorry, I live in the dark ages and have no way to scan in a picture.

 

[Cass]

 

[maxiesmom]

You're awesome! Thanks!

 

[crazymomof4]

More photos of Prado and Barbaro. http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/BarbaroPhotos.htm

This past Sunday our local paper (The Philadelphia Inquirer) ran a nice, front page story about Barbaro's surgeon. It gave some details that I'd not heard or read elsewhere:

~Vets have learned that it's better to wait a day (if possible) to operate on a horse. This gives them a chance to adjust to the injury and calm down. It makes waking up from anesthesia easier. Barbaro actually took two 45 min naps (laying down) during the night before his surgery and he was careful to place his good limb beneath him when doing so.

~Prior to surgery Barbaro's injured "foot was warm and there were strong pulses in there. The skin was badly bruised", but not broken.

~The anesthesiologist said that even though Barbaro was under general anesthesia for 7 hrs, he maintained his normal body temp. He commented that most horses "get cold" and "maybe we'll find out sometime that, like Secretariat, he has an unusually large and powerful heart."

~Quote from Barbaro's surgeon where he credits Barbaro for preventing further injury: "The horse's tremendous athetic ability, to pull up. Look at that tape, and the horse literally galloped on three legs for a few strides. He didn't drive his bad leg into the ground hard. That saved his life."

 

[Deb in IA]

Thanks for the update, crazymom.

Sounds like everything went as well as they could, after the break. Hopefully, that will all be in Barbaro's favor as he continues his recovery.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Our has a great AP photo of Edgar Prado Kissing Barbaro, and Barbaro looking at him. Sorry, I live in the dark ages and have no way to scan in a picture.

And Barbaro kissing him

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I just love everyone's pictures!! Keep 'em coming!!

 

[crazymomof4]

A horse euthanized in England after breaking leg in race.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/more/06/03/english.derby.ap/index.html

If Barbaro's recovery is successful, hopefully we will see less and less of this!

 

[crazymomof4]

Some pictures of Barbaro getting a bath today and a nice video from espn.

To watch the video go to:
http://search.espn.go.com/keyword/search?searchString=barbaro&page=images

and click on: ESPN Motion Video "Barbaro's Last Race"

Barbaro's stall at the trainer's stable has been filled by Barbaro's little brother whom Matz is now training.

The emotion in the owner's voice at the end of the clip touched me.

 

[Hillbeans]

I love the picture of Edgar Prado signing the card for Barbaro at Belmont Park yesterday.

Barbaro seems pretty happy and is obviously getting the best care.

So glad to see that he's beating the odds.