Press Conference

[LARHAGE]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

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 the exact same problem my little mare had, her hoof too seperated 3/4's of the way around. The only advantage she had is her other front leg was not damaged. It took a total of 16 months, the first few weeks of it were the toughest I have ever endured, I took a leave of abscence from my job to attend to her, she was hospitalized a few weeks. It was a long, emotional, exspensive road... but she beat the odds. I had so many friends and family members praying for her and so does Barbaro, he still has a chance. I was told by the surgeons she had less than a 20% chance of recovery and told tham as long as their was a 1% chance I was all in, I know the Jacksons feel the same way.