Despite all-out effort to prevent the ‘most feared’ complication: Barbaro develops severe

BY JOANIE MCKENNA Animal Health Foundation While much of the world closely followed the progress of Barbaro’s right hind leg through the summer, those in the medical community, including Barbaro’s own veterinarians, were watching the left hind leg. Barbaro, who won an inspired race May 6, shattered three bones in his right hind shortly after the start of the Preakness on May 20. Surgery the next day at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., reconstructed the broken bones with pins and plates. PHOTOS BY SABINE LOUISE PIERCE / UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA No matter how well the right Barbaro is lifted out a special recovery pool May 21 at the New Bolton Center leg healed, the bigger concern following five hours of surgery to repair a shattered right hind leg. was the possibility that laminitis would develop on the left side. Other equine superstars, including the Triple Crown winner , had lost their life due to laminitis developing in a good foot after surgery on the opposite foot forced the good one to bear more weight during the healing process. Dr. Dean Richardson, Barbaro’s chief veterinarian, used many preventive measures in the weeks that followed surgery. On May 27, Richardson put Barbaro’s left hind foot in a special three-part shoe that was designed to: Support the sole; Minimize weakening and infection of the sole with a material inserted inside; Barbaro stands in his stall May 21 following surgery and appears to be using his back left leg to hold more of the weight in the back end. And build up the length of the left hind to compensate for the venogram indicated everything screws and plates and try to get cast being on the right hind. was fine, Richardson said. rid of a newly developed infection. Other measures included taking For six weeks, all reports were On July 13, the focus shifted a venogram, or injecting a upbeat. Then, the first week back to the left hind leg, as contrast agent into the left hind of July, complications set in the Richardson set up a news foot and taking x-rays to show right hind leg, and surgery was conference to explain that “the where the blood flowed; the performed several times to replace most feared complication from Timeline: July 5: Cast is replaced again due to discomfort. A small abscess on the left hind foot is May 6: Wins Kentucky Derby treated, as well; Richardson 1 by 6 ⁄2 lengths. later explained that the abscess was not in a typical location May 20: Breaks down right to be associated with laminitis. after the start of the Preakness; shatters three bones in his right July 8: More surgery is hind leg. performed on the right hind leg to treat a new infection. A plate May 21: Undergoes surgery and many of the screws are at New Bolton Center; a plate replaced, and a longer cast is and 27 screws are inserted in On May 27, the left hind leg was put on to offer more support. shattered leg. Barbaro’s fitted with a special shoe to help chances of survival are called reduce the risk of laminitis. July 10: Cast on right hind leg a “coin toss.” is replaced again with a shorter June 13: Cast on right hind leg one. May 22: Right hind leg is fitted is replaced. Report is excellent. with fiberglass cast from hock July 13: News conference is held to hoof. July 3: Cast on right hind leg is to announce severe laminitis has replaced again. Two bent developed in left hind foot, and May 27: Left hind leg is fitted screws are replaced and three 80 perfect of hoof wall has been with special shoe to help new ones are added around the removed. Horse's chances for reduce the risk of laminitis. pastern joint. recovery are reduced to “poor.”

the outset” had happened: During the previous week, Barbaro had developed a severe bout of laminitis in the left foot. Richardson said, “The horse had no real problems with the left hind leg until he started to have some problems in terms of comfort in his right hind at about seven weeks.” When asked how severe the case was, Richardson said, “It is as bad as it gets.” Richardson admitted there always would be second guessing on how the horse was monitored, but added that, “as far as the catastrophic type of laminitis that developed, it was very rapid.” In response to a reporter’s question of what caused the laminitis, Richardson said: “It’s a problem in horses due to Dr. Dean Richardson leads Barbaro in the hospital July 14, a day after Richardson excessive weight bearing and describes the severity of the laminitis that has developed in the left hind foot. inflammation.” He added: “If I knew the answer conference from my mansion has a solution to.” of how to prevent this, I guarantee somewhere. It’s a devastating Richardson performed a hoof I would be giving this press problem in horses that nobody wall resection on the left foot, Barbaro enjoys a carrot in his stall July 14. His appetite continues to be healthy.

removing all the hoof wall that had lost its connection to the coffin bone, or about 80 percent, in order to make room for a new hoof wall to grow again. To minimize Barbaro’s pain in having to bear weight on a foot without a hoof wall, Barbaro was put in a foot cast with foam padding and antiseptic dressings. He also was trained to stand in a sling so he could take the weight off his feet for several hours a day, a procedure the horse apparently was enjoying. In the days that followed, he was said to be using the sling similar to a Jolly Jumper, bouncing off the ground. Barbaro’s medical reports since the surgery have been upbeat. Barbaro stands in his sling July 14. Richardson has said repeatedly that Barbaro has good vital signs, prognosis is anything but poor,” the horse likely would lose the a good attitude, a great appetite, Richardson told a reporter battle. takes small walks around his stall July 20. Barbaro’s trainer, former and has found comfort in his Richardson said recovery would Olympian Michael Matz, who sling. take months, not weeks, and the visits the horse daily, remains But when asked what the horse’s veterinarians were in a realistic about the future. On horse’s chances are, the answer marathon. July 29, he told a reporter: always is the same: Not good. He also said Barbaro’s three “I’m not getting my hopes up. “I’d be laughed out of the other feet showed no signs of I’m just taking it one day at a profession if I said this horse’s laminitis, but should that change, time.”

Since 1984, the Animal Health Foundation has been raising money to help fund laminitis reaseach around the world. The goal has been to find a cause, prevention and cure of the often fatal disease. To help in this fight, please click on “Support AHF” on the home page and make a donation.