Laminiti Research

With the Kentucky Derby come the inevitable remembrances of horses past, including Barbaro. There was a nice piece in the Kansas City Herald-Leader about his legacy, which unfortunately does not include any progeny.

But what it does include is a united and well funded effort to find a cure for laminitis, the hoof disease that ultimately led to Barbaro's demise. "His greatest legacy is simply awareness. . . awareness of a disease that scares vets and owners more than any other," said Peggy Hendershot, spokeswoman for national Thoroughbred Racing Association Charities, which administers the NTRA Barbaro Fund.

According to the piece, $7.5 million has been raised for the Barbaro Fund at Penn's New Bolton Center, pledged in 4,100 donations, large and small. "It's amazing, " said Jane Simone, director of development at New Bolton Center. "One of the things worth pointing out is so many of the gifts were from people who didn't own horses, who didn't live in the horse world but who were moved by his story and wanted to do something in his name."

Some of that money is going to needs of patients in the equine hospital; other is being used for renovation of the facility. And still more, anchored by a gift of $3 million from owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, is being used to find a cure for laminitis.

In fact, researchers at Penn have set 2020 as the year by which they are determined to find a cure for laminitis. "We know there are a wide range of causes, but what we don't know is 'What is the trigger?' and 'How do you stop it?'" aid Simone. "We know how to slow it but it often comes back. There are mysteries that have to be unraveled."

Here's one goal that I hope they beat.