Gail Luciani
(215) 898-1475
luciani@vet.upenn.edu
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Barbaro's Condition Excellent; Equine Reproduction Expert Answers Questions
June 1 , 2006
KENNETT SQUARE, PA – Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro’s condition is excellent today, according to Chief of Surgery Dean W. Richardson, “He looks great and everything is fine.”
Barbaro remains in intensive care at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center. He continues to improve daily as he recovers from a shattered hind leg sustained at the Preakness on May 20.
New Bolton Center has received many inquiries about the importance of a stallion’s hind leg in the reproduction process. “To register offspring from Thoroughbred stallions, all breeding must be done by natural service,” said Sue McDonnell, of the Equine Behavior Laboratory. “This means that artificial insemination and assisted reproductive techniques are not allowed.” McDonnell explained that mares must be mounted, which is a fairly athletic activity, requiring good hind-limb strength and agility. The stallion needs to be relatively fit and free from discomfort; therefore, after an injury heals, the stallion needs to re-build his cardiovascular and musculoskeletal fitness to the fullest extent possible.
“In a case such as Barbaro’s, his medical team would plan and monitor physical therapy with breeding in mind,” she said. “Amazing things have been done to accommodate disabled breeding stallions, from custom-built breeding ramps to supportive splints or casts, to medications that reduce the amount of effort required. But in most cases, simple old-fashioned careful attention to detail, such as highly skilled stallion and mare handlers who can allow the stallion to compensate for his limitations, good athletic surfaces, and a breeding schedule customized to the stallion’s fitness and fertility, can help sports injured stallions enjoy remarkably normal and successful breeding careers.”
Veterinary reproduction and behavior have made great strides in recent years, and New Bolton Center has been a leader in developing methods of assisting aging and disabled stallions to breed.
Donors can find out how to offer monetary gifts at: www.vet.upenn.edu/giving/giving_ways.html
Well-wishers can send e-mail to Barbaro via a form at: www.vet.upenn.edu/barbaro.
For pictures and updates on Barbaro’s condition, visit: http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro.htm
About Dean W. Richardson, DVM
Dr. Dean W. Richardson is Chief of Surgery and the Charles W. Raker Professor of Equine Surgery at Penn Vet’s Widener Hospital at New Bolton Center. He is an internationally recognized orthopedic surgeon whose research focuses on cartilage repair. Dr. Richardson has been part of New Bolton Center since 1979.
About New Bolton Center
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., is one of the busiest large animal teaching veterinary clinics in the nation. Each year the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals sees more than 6,000 patient visits, and its Field Service sees more than 19,000 patient visits. In addition to its role as one of the nation’s finest equine surgical facilities, New Bolton Center encompasses hospital facilities for the care of large animals and livestock as well as diagnostic laboratories serving the agriculture industry and the monitoring of emerging infectious disease.About the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine is one of the world’s premier veterinary schools. Founded in 1884, the school was built on the concept of Many Species, One Medicine™.
The birthplace of veterinary specialties, the school serves a distinctly diverse array of animal patients at its two campuses, from companion animals to horses to farm animals. The school’s Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital, located on Penn’s campus in Philadelphia, Pa., houses classrooms, laboratories, medical care and one of the nation’s busiest urban veterinary emergency rooms. In addition, the school successfully integrates scholarship and scientific discovery with all aspects of veterinary medical education.
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