Barbaro Naps, Scratches Ear
The news continues to be good about Barbaro: The colt enjoyed a nap, some crunchy treats, and felt comfortable enough standing on his injured right leg that he scratched his left ear with his left foot. “He is stable and happy,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, who offered a “cautiously optimistic prognosis” for the colt on Tuesday. “Every day that goes by, the risk diminishes.”
5/26/06 Update: Barbaro has been fitted out with a special shoe on his left hind foot. “One of the complications that can occur following leg fractures in horses is the risk of developing laminitis in the opposite foot from bearing extra weight,” said New Bolton Center farrier Rob Sigafoos. “To reduce this risk, we applied a supportive shoe to Barbaro’s left hind foot immediately following the surgery for the fracture of his right hind leg.” As of Friday, five days after surgery, Barbaro remains in “excellent” condition.
Related: Barbaro’s Preakness breakdown is prompting calls for improved safety. Rick Bozich writes that,
And John Clay argues for Polytrack.
Also: Slate explains why broken legs are bad news for horses (thanks to Bill at RacingFigures.com for the link), and Andrew Beyer runs the numbers: “The price of surgery itself is quite reasonable — ‘a pittance compared to surgery on people,’ Bramlage said. A lengthy, complex procedure at a top facility, such as the operation on Barbaro, can cost $7,000 to $10,000. A relatively simple fracture might be repaired for less than $2,000.”
