Press Conference
 

Since I am stuck at work and cannot find a thread to watch the press conference, can someone please post what they say? I am pretty sure someone would have, but I thought I would ask.



And trolls (if there are any out there), please have some respect for those of us who love horses and leave your "jokes" off the board. Thank you.

I haven't seen many trolls here, so I don't think you'd have to worry about that. I have ESPNEWS on right now and they said it's coming up next, so I'll keep you updated.

Thanks ateam.

Thank you! I'm at work, too, and am eager to hear what's said!

Not being put down.

Barbaro has suffered an "acute, rather severe bout" of laminitis according to Richardson.

His prognosis for life and lifelong comfort has significantly decreased.

After long discussion with the Jacksons and Matz, they've decided that despite it's a very serious complication, Barbaro is still very much alert, is eating well, his heart rate is low, and his temperature is back to normal. The stability on his right hind leg is good. Things are going reasonably well, but Richardson still can't say whether everything's going to heal correctly.

Barbaro's on an "intensive pain management regimen."

Richardson says they will only go on with the horse if everyone involved remains convinced that Barbaro is acceptably comfortable, i.e. if he's eating, drinking, has a reasonable heart rate, is "acting like a horse should."

thank you ateam.

According to Richardson, the laminitis is pretty much as bad as it gets. They've removed part of his hoof wall, only 20% is still attached, and he's in a foot cast with foam padding and antiseptic dressings. They're trying to regrow the hoof wall.

They've been teaching him to adapt to a sling, which he's responded to well, and the other pain management techniques are working well. If those techniques stop working, they're going to "quit on the horse, as simple as that."

His chances of survival are "poor." Richardson says he'd be lying if he said anything other than poor. At the same time, as long as the horse is not suffering, they will continue on.

Horses have survived from this condition before, but it is a longshot. If they cannot keep Barbaro comfortable, they will not continue.

This is sad. I am very sad now. Everyone say prayers for him and hope that he pulls through.

Fight Barbaro like the fighter we all know that you are! We all want you to get better.

Question: is this in the injured leg or the non-injured leg?

Well, it is almost as bad of news as one can get. Very sad. Sounds like too much healing to do :( I'm glad he's comfortable and that they will see how it goes for a while, but I don't know. That is, indeed, worst case scenario. :cry:

I ask because someone had mentioned infection in the noninjured leg as well.

Its in the good leg. The left rear hoof.

The laminitis is in the "good" leg, probably because its had to bear more than its share of normal weight, even with the special cushion/shoe they've rigged to help him.

Man oh man. I guess the one thing I'm grateful for is that everyone has Barbaro's best interests at heart. No matter what happens, after all this, I don't think I will ever, ever be able to watch that Preakness replay again.

Richardson says recovery, if it were to happen, would take 5-6 months at the VERY LEAST.

He says they'll call it quits when Barbaro acts like he doesn't want to stand on the leg.

The decision to put him down could happen rapidly, within a day or two of bad signs, but right now, the horse looks bright and is eating well.

If anyone else noticed the Doc nearly broke up at the end when he abruptly called an end to the news conferance. Emphasised the strong will of the horse is the nbest part about this horse.

The last thing he said was "if you looked at this horse, it would be very hard to put him down" and he got up, ending the press conference.

It's a very sad day.....

Sad to say, but I think Barbaro is not going to make it. Boy I hope he does, but the chances are very very slim.

Terrible news. :( My only hope for Barbaro is that he's such a fighter and seems to know everyone is trying to help him. If any horse can pull through this, it's him.. Saying that, all prayers and well wishes couldn't hurt.

I will say as dire as it appears. This is the HORSE that can make it!!!!!! Any negative opinions need to be kept to yourself.