The horse that captivated America’s heart after winning this year’s Kentucky Derby then suffered a potentially life ending injury at the Preakness Stakes is said to be improving.
Doctors treating Barbaro say, that while the colt’s medical condition remains dire, he is stable and responding to treatment. The statement follows what has turned into a media “death-watch” of sorts, since word got out earlier this week that Barbaro had only hours to live.
Barbaro underwent surgery on Wednesday to treat a serious hoof disease called laminitis. (Laminitis is a painful, often fatal disease caused by uneven weight distribution in the limbs.) The procedure removed about 80 percent of his left rear hoof. Doctors told reporters camped out at Barbaro’s treatment facility, “If he starts acting like he doesn’t want to stand on the leg, that’s it. That will be when we call it quits.” They went on to say that Barbaro is being treated aggressively with pain medication and remains in the same stall he’s been in since being brought to the intensive care unit following his misstep at the Preakness.
Initially it seemed Barbaro’s recovery was moving along relatively smoothly. Then last week doctors say his condition steadily worsened. When word got out that the popular horse appeared to be going down hill, roses and apples began arriving at the hospital, along with hundreds of get-well messages.
Despite the heartfelt wishes from complete strangers wishing the colt a speedy recovery, Barbaro’s vet didn’t mince words: “It’s as bad a laminitis as you can have. It’s as bad as it gets.” Doctors recently fit Barbaro with a sling that allows him to shift his weight from side to side. Their main concern is one shared by fans around the world—to make sure the award-winning colt is pain free.