Prayers for Barbaro

[Justine Melvin]

I had the privilege of knowing Michael Matz for 9 years while I was a groom on the "A" hunter/jumper circuit during the the 70's and 80's. In 1989 ABC named him "Person of the Week" for saving the children in the plane crash. He just happened to be on the plane because he and DD were returning home from judging a horse show. Michael is one of the most unique people I have ever met - calm, understanding, compassionate, dedicated, loyal... I could go on and on. He has used New Bolton for many, many years and I know he will do everything within his power to save Barbaro.

[Golden Girl]

Thank you for the link of Micheal Matz's media brief. I will forward it to all my friends. we are all worried for Barbaro, and pray that he comes through this like the champion he is.
We Love You Barbaro

[ediee]

Prayers and big warm hugs to Barbaro and all careing for him, i wish a speedy recovery for this awsome wonderful horse, please keep us up dated on any info.

[Ruffian122]

Thank you to everyone for the updates - I woke up this morning and the FIRST thing on my mind was Barbaro. Thank you especially to you, h2opony ... and please let us know if they get that fund set up - I appreciate you sharing your inside information most of all. I am relieved that Barbaro seems to be a model patient so far, that hopefully bodes well for his chances at recovery. Praying hard right now that the surgery is going well at this moment, and he comes out of it OK!

[h2opony]

Well they are in the third almost fourth hour of surgery now, no updates as to progress or success rate as of yet. My "connection" says that the clinic is filled with an eerie uncomfortable and worried silence. No one wants to talk, and every minute that passes by seems like a year.

She says that one of the things they are most worried about is him coming out of anesthesia, he will be disoriented and most likely may be filled with anxiety. They are discussing suspending him in a full body sling before waking him up to limit many of the risks that this all may bring...

Also i dont know if you guys read or heard, but he has many many fractures, sesamoid, long pastern bone, cannon bone etc.

Please keep him in your thoughts!

[Ruffian122]

Thanks again h2opony - I am living for your updates right now. ::hugs:: I heard Jeannine Edwards say on ESPN about an hour ago - she was updating from the New Bolton Center - that Barbaro would wake up in the pool. Has that changed? Praying hard here.

[h2opony]

He will be waking up in the pool, on a raft to prevent any injury he then will be put in a sling and that will take him to his stall, he will probably stay in the sling for several hours maybe evern 24-48

[devotee]

The Louisville and Baltimore papers are providing some of the most detailed medical information I've seen. Here are a couple of links: www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.medical21may21,0,1337439.story?coll=bal-nationworld-headlines and www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060520/SPORTS08/60520025 .

[devotee]

Let me see if I can get that first link to work . . . www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.medical21may21,0,1337439.story?coll=bal-nationworld-headlines

[devotee]

Sorry all - it's corrupt. Maybe you can try copypasting it into your browser address line.

[Ruffian122]

Thanks h2opony - just saw the update on ESPN News from Jeannine Edwards. Looks like he is nearing the end of surgery, and at over 5 hours I'm guessing that part is successful. But as we all know the real test is going to come when he wakes up.

Thanks devotee for the links, if you copy and paste the first one it works. Hadn't actually seen either of these yet, so I appreciate you posting them!

[h2opony]

BARBARO


On one amazing day
You were born, a gorgeous healthy bright bay
It was clear to all who knew you
That the world would be shocked when you ran your first debut
Your stride was flawless
And it seemed as if racing to you was lawless

Winning is what you loved to do
When you ran, you flew
Some people had their doubts
Even some of the professional scouts
In one word the perfect athlete
And most knew that with you no horse could compete
Then came the run for the roses
When you were running it almost looked as if you were thinking about poses
The win was so commanding
No one could believe you were truly this outstanding

We looked to the next race with unlimited anticipation
Behind you a majority of this red white and blue nation
The preakness was just the second race
All knew no horse would keep up with your pace
But on that day something happen so trite

From the beginning, a false start, just didnt seem right
As you broke from the gate running, what you loved to do,
Every pair of eyes was watching the super horse, you...

As you hobbled on three legs dying to run with the rest
Everyones hearts stopped in their chest
Tears welled up we saw the pain
As we saw Edgar Prado calm you and hold on to your reins

You are a true champion and that is a fact
What you did on the racetrack was no one time act
You touched every horses lovers heart
Waiting for updates is tearing us apart
Our prayers are with that gorgeous red bay
Day in and day out we will continue to pray


BY: ME (h2opony ~ Skye E.)

[devotee]

I just wish the road ahead for Barbaro were a little easier, and I keep thinking miserably of Ruffian. Another thing that might interest many of you is that Barbaro has at least two full brothers, and there might be more full siblings I don't know about. Michael Matz had his older brother in training before him (and may still have the colt, for all I know), and La Ville Rouge (Barbaro's dam) has another Dynaformer (Barbaro's sire) colt at her side.

[Ruffian122]

That was beautiful h2opony - thank you for sharing. That picture of Edgar Prado with the saddle is absolutely heartwrenching, hadn't seen that one yet.

I assume by now Barbaro is out of surgery and in the pool? Jeannine Edwards on ESPN reported about an hour ago that the surgery was nearing completion. Either way I'm guessing it will take an hour or more to get him awake and stable. Prayers are needed now more than ever, as I would suggest that the next hours are going to be the most critical in deciding whether Barbaro lives or dies. I haven't prayed this much in a long time. Once the surgery is done, I think it is all going to be up to God and Barbaro himself. I hope we will hear something encouraging in the next couple of hours or so.

[Ruffian122]

Anyone heard any updates? It has been 8 hours or more now since the surgery started. Have you any news h2opony? ESPN isn't giving any new info, and hasn't given any new info for the last 2 hours. I'm getting slightly concerned - but am hoping that the reason we are not hearing anything is because Barbaro is in the pool or just getting out of the pool. I can see that there would be no news until they get him stable and see how he reacts when waking up - but at the same time I am anxious to hear SOMETHING. So h2opony if you have heard anything from your connection, let us know if you can. Thanks - and I am going to continue to pray for Barbaro until we see him well and hopefully walking on his own.