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Post by racinggal on Feb 13, 2013 23:49:13 GMT -5
Rachel Alexandra in Recovery Following Surgery Feb. 13, 2013: Lexington, KY Stonestreet Farm shared earlier tonight via social media that Rachel Alexandra, 2009 Horse of the Year, was taken to Rood and Riddle Equine Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky late Wednesday when complications developed related to the birth of her Bernardini filly. Rachel Alexandra underwent surgery to repair an area of bruising in her small colon, which was injured during foaling. Dr. Brett Woodie performed the surgery and Rachel is currently in recovery under the watch of Dr. Bonnie Barr. A full prognosis cannot be determined at this time, but her condition is serious. “We are solely focused on making sure Rachel is as comfortable as possible. She is showing the same strength and courage now that she demonstrated on the track,” said owner, Barbara Banke. “Our hearts are broken by this turn of events and I can only ask that you send your thoughts and prayers to Rachel now.” Rachel Alexandra’s 140-pound filly, born Feb. 12, 2013 at 2:30 a.m. is healthy. The filly has returned to Stonestreet Farm and will be tended by a nurse mare. Media requests relating to the procedure should be directed to Alex Riddle Media Relations Manager at Rood & Riddle: (859)280-3316 or ariddle@roodandriddle.com. www.stonestreetfarms.com/info/?page_id=144
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Post by Evelyn on Feb 14, 2013 0:14:35 GMT -5
this is terrible news - am praying RA is ok - foal also - am sure she misses mom
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Post by racinggal on Feb 14, 2013 12:15:09 GMT -5
Rachel Alexandra standing, but still 'serious' after surgery for foaling injury Published: February 14, 2013 Updated 7 minutes ago By Valarie Honeycutt Spears Herald-Leader Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year, was able to stand but remained in serious condition Thursday morning after a damaged part of her small colon was successfully removed in surgery late Wednesday."Her condition remains serious; it's going to be a long road," said Amy Kearns, a spokeswoman for Stonestreet Farm, located on Old Frankfort Pike. Rachel Alexandra was taken to Rood and Riddle Equine Clinic in Lexington when complications developed from the birth of her Bernardini filly, according to the farm's statement released Wednesday night.Rachel Alexandra woke up from anesthesia about 3 a.m. Thursday, Kearns said.The horse was standing Thursday morning, said Alex Riddle, a spokesman for Rood and Riddle. Horses can't lie down for long without risking further injury and complications, according to several online veterinary resources.Riddle said Dr. Brett Woodie removed a damaged area of small colon and "successfully" fused the other two sections back together.The bruising in her small colon occurred during foaling, the farm's statement on Wednesday night said.Rachel's prognosis had not been determined "We are solely focused on making sure Rachel is as comfortable as possible. She is showing the same strength and courage now that she demonstrated on the track," owner Barbara Banke said in Wednesday night's statement."Our hearts are broken by this turn of events, and I can only ask that you send your thoughts and prayers to Rachel now."Rachel Alexandra's 140-pound filly, born Tuesday at 2:30 a.m. is healthy. The filly has returned to Stonestreet Farm and will be tended by a nurse mare. The foal was the farm's largest so far this season.This birth was Rachel Alexandra's second foal. The first foal, born in January 2012, was a colt by two-time horse of the year Curlin, who also was campaigned by Stonestreet. The colt, nicknamed "Taco," has since been named Jess's Dream after Stonestreet founder and wine mogul Jess Jackson, who died in April 2011.Rachel Alexandra spent three days at Rood and Riddle last January receiving precautionary treatment for pain management following the birth of that first foal. Riddle, spokesperson for Rood and Riddle, said Thursday the current problems were not related to what Rachel Alexandra was treated for in 2012.Nevertheless, Rachel's dam, Lotta Kim, also had issues with foaling.Lotta Kim has only produced two other foals besides Rachel Alexandra, according to Jockey Club reports. An Empire Maker colt born in 2007 was euthanized in 2009 due to wobbler's syndrome and Samantha Nicole, a 2-year-old full sister to Rachel, was purchased by Stonestreet at the Keeneland November sale for $700,000.Bred by Dolphus Morrison, Rachel Alexandra put together a historic unbeaten 3-year-old campaign in 2009, when she defeated males three times en route to winning horse of the year honors. The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness Stakes, a feat she achieved two weeks after winning the Kentucky Oaks by a record-setting 20 1/4 lengths. She also captured the Grade I Haskell Invitational and toppled older males in the Grade I Woodward Stakes. A five-time Grade I winner, Rachel Alexandra retired with 13 wins in 19 career starts and $3,506,730 for Stonestreet, which bought her from Morrison for $10 million after her Oaks triumph. Read more here: www.kentucky.com/2013/02/14/2516686/rachel-alexandra-standing-but.html#storylink=rss?#storylink=cpy
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cait
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Post by cait on Feb 14, 2013 12:24:18 GMT -5
ty racinggal - this was on stonestreet's facebook
Stonestreet Farms 2 hours ago.Thank you for outpouring of support for Rachel. She is in the best hands at Rood and Riddle. We will update as soon as we have more news.
love RA and pray she heals well -
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cait
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Post by cait on Feb 14, 2013 15:29:11 GMT -5
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Post by Evelyn on Feb 14, 2013 17:22:03 GMT -5
Rachel Alexandra Condition Very Serious By Frank Updated: Thursday, February 14, 2013 4:53 PM Rachel Alexandra is battling infection as she tries to recover from surgery to treat a colon injury suffered while foaling a healthy Bernardini filly Feb. 12. Following surgery Feb. 13 at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital to treat the injured small colon and resulting infection, the 2009 Blackberry Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner continued to receive treatment Feb. 14 at the Lexington equine hospital. Managing clinicians Brett Woodie, a veterinary surgeon, and Bonnie Barr, an equine internal medicine specialist, said it was too early to offer a prognosis. "Right now it's too early to say," Barr said during a Feb. 14 press conference at Rood & Riddle. "We have to see how she responds to treatment and take it one day at a time." "She's doing as best as we could expect at this state of her recovery," Woodie added. Because of a difficult foaling of the Bernardini filly Feb. 12 at Stonestreet Farm near Lexington, Rachel Alexandra was monitored closely, said Stonestreet owner Barbara Banke. Despite the difficulties, Rachel Alexandra appeared to be in good health until 2:30 p.m. Feb. 13 when a change in her demeanor was noted. The 7-year-old Medaglia d'Oro mare was immediately rushed to Rood & Riddle to undergo exploratory abdominal surgery to determine the cause of excess fluid in her abdominal cavity, which signals an infection. Woodie said surgery identified the infection cause as a section of small colon that had lost its blood supply because of an injury during foaling. The colon issue allowed bacteria to be released into the abdomen. The damaged section of intestine was removed and extensive abdominal flushing was performed to remove inflammatory cells and bacteria. "This loss of blood supply had compromised the integrity of the intestinal wall, which allowed bacteria access to her abdominal cavity," Woodie said. "We were able to remove this compromised section of the small colon." Because of the nature and extent of the problem, the surgery was long and technically demanding but Woodie said recovery from anesthesia was uncomplicated. Barr said Rachel Alexandra is receiving intravenous antibiotics, fluids, anti-inflammatory agents, and nutrition to counteract the effects of bacterial toxins. Medications are also being administered to aid in the prevention of scar tissue in the abdominal cavity. A standing abdominal flushing using abdominal drains placed at surgery is also being performed several times a day. Woodie did not speculate on the direct cause of the trauma to the small colon, only that it was caused during foaling. The foal, at 140 pounds, is the largest foal born at Stonestreet this year but Woodie said that was not necessarily a factor, noting that many foals that size are born without complication. A concerned Banke said she appreciated Rachel Alexandra's fans reaching out to her and hopes they keep the mare in their thoughts and prayers. This is the second foal for Rachel Alexandra, who received treatment for pain at Rood & Riddle following the birth of her Curlin colt last year. As for the 2013 Bernardini foal, Stonestreet farm manager Garry Megibben said the filly immediately took to a nurse mare at the farm and is doing well. Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt Stonestreet owner Barbara Banke at the Press Conference. Video: bcove.me/r48muy1vRead more on BloodHorse.com: www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/76249/rachel-alexandra-condition-very-serious#ixzz2KulNoPXQ
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Post by mudmont on Feb 14, 2013 18:54:26 GMT -5
Many Valentine prayers need for the recovery of this mare with a great heart! She looks so proud of her new daughter, but now will not get to raise her. Sad !! But Rachel's recovery is very important. Get well precious lady. We all love you and I am sure Zen would say this too.
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Post by racinggal on Feb 14, 2013 22:30:35 GMT -5
agree Mudmont - many prayers
from Stonestreet's Facebook about 1/2 hr ago
There is no change in Rachel’s condition tonight, which is good & she enjoyed a mint. She is so courageous in this most important fight.
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cait
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Post by cait on Feb 15, 2013 11:58:43 GMT -5
from Stonestreet facebook Our champ is feeling up to another mint for lunch. Full update soon. Your thoughts mean everything!
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Feb 15, 2013 12:12:13 GMT -5
Thanks Cait. We're all pulling for the best filly the US has ever had!
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cait
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Post by cait on Feb 15, 2013 17:14:24 GMT -5
Update on Rachel Alexandra’s Condition Following Surgery February 15, 2013: Lexington, KY Rachel Alexandra’s condition remained serious at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital on Friday following surgery to repair a section of her small colon. The attending veterinarians on her case, Dr. Bonnie Barr and Dr. Brett Woodie, are pleased with her progress, with Dr. Barr calling her a “strong mare”. Her vital signs remain normal and she was brighter, more alert and demonstrating an improved attitude on Friday afternoon. “She looks better today,” said owner Barbara Banke. “ Rachel is a determined fighter. It makes me feel better that she was happy to have a mint. I want to thank all her fans for their incredible devotion to Rachel. Your thoughts mean so much right now.” Rachel’s foal continues to do well. She has adjusted well to her nurse mare and enjoyed paddock turnout on Friday at Stonestreet. Rachel Alexandra was admitted into Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital on Wednesday, February 13th, one day after delivering a 140-pound Bernardini filly. She underwent exploratory abdominal surgery to determine the cause of excess fluid in her abdominal cavity denoting an infection. A damaged section of her small colon was then repaired in a long and technically demanding procedure. www.stonestreetfarms.com/info/?page_id=144
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cait
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Post by cait on Feb 15, 2013 17:15:33 GMT -5
as well as can be expected - godspeed RA
re the nurse mare - what happened to her foal is the question?
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Post by Evelyn on Feb 15, 2013 23:17:21 GMT -5
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Post by Evelyn on Feb 16, 2013 15:00:52 GMT -5
from Stonsstreet Facebook Rachel's sweet filly today with her very protective surrogate, Ojos. She is strongly bonded with her nurse mare.
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Post by Evelyn on Feb 16, 2013 15:09:15 GMT -5
The Nurse Mare Miss Beutiful Ojos Nurse Mares: Important helpers in difficult situations February 16, 2013: Lexington, KY Nurse mares are never brought into situations that are ideal. They must act as a surrogate mother for a foal whose own mother is unable to care for it. In fact, a nurse mare raised Rachel Alexandra when her dam, Lotta Kim, rejected her. Rachel’s attachment to her own filly in the short time they were together, was deep and it is important now to support her surrogate, Miss Beutiful Ojos, as she steps into this difficult situation to raise that filly. We have received many very natural questions about this process: Who is the nurse mare? Miss Beutiful Ojos is a quarter horse and trusted nurse mare who has performed this important job at Stonestreet before. Nurse mares are often quarter or draft horses, and it is imperative that they possess good nurse mare characteristics. Miss Beutiful Ojos, or “Ojos” for short, is both very sweet and a great milk producer, two of the most important nurse mare qualities. In those difficult situations in which we have to call in a nurse mare, Stonestreet draws upon a very select network of farms we trust to provide well-tempered and disease-free mares, while ensuring proper care for the nurse mare’s foal as well. If Rachel recovers, will her foal be returned to her? No. Rachel’s filly has bonded with Ojos, and she now considers Ojos to be her mother. She will remain with her until she is weaned. It is important to respect the bond now created between Rachel’s filly and her surrogate. Rachel’s condition remains serious and she will need her strength as she fights to recover. Even if she were able to return to her foal, her milk production would have ceased. It is again, not an ideal situation, but keep in mind Rachel was raised by a surrogate as well. What will happen to the nurse mare’s foal? Ojos is what you might call a “professional” nurse mare. She is very good at her job and provides an important service under very difficult circumstances. The filly out of Miss Beutiful Ojos will be hand raised as a reining/cutting horse prospect. In this situation the timing worked out well. Ojos had foaled a palomino filly on Wednesday. Rachel’s filly was hand fed until Ojos arrived on Thursday, only after her own palomino filly was able to get the ‘first milk’, or all-important colostrum from her own mother. This is something Ojos’ owner is very firm about. We visited Ojos’ filly on Friday afternoon. She is being hand raised along with another foal whose mother is also a nurse mare. This little filly will be bottle, then bucket fed along with her stall mate. They are both nicely bred quarter horse foals and she is expected to be a reining or cutting prospect. The filly out of Miss Beutiful Ojos will be hand raised as a reining/cutting horse prospect. www.stonestreetfarms.com/info/?page_id=144
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cait
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Post by cait on Feb 16, 2013 18:09:23 GMT -5
Rachel Alexandra’s condition remains serious but stable this weekend February 16, 2013: Lexington, KY Doctors at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky reported on Saturday that Rachel Alexandra’s condition remains serious but stable as she recovers from abdominal surgry performed Wednesday, February 13th following foaling complictions. The 2009 Horse of the Year remains bright and alert with normal vital signs. On Saturday, she began receiving a very small amount of feed in addition to her IV fluids and nutrition.
Although Rachel’s condition remains serious, attending veterinarians Dr. Bonnie Barr and Dr. Brett Woodie are encouraged by her progress to this point. Rachel continues to be monitored closely at Rood & Riddle. If her condition should change, we will provide a timely update, otherwise, look for the next update on Monday. We continue to be deeply grateful for the support and comfort her fans have provided during this difficult time. Rachel Alexandra enjoys a small amount of feed Saturday. Special thanks to Rood & Riddle for this photo.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Feb 16, 2013 18:16:44 GMT -5
Thank you ladies for keeping us updated! Know you love this mare! She is Rachel Alexandra the Great!
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Post by racinggal on Feb 16, 2013 19:02:22 GMT -5
Ditto! TY for updates. And Rachel deserves her own board! Keep improving great girl!
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Post by racinggal on Feb 18, 2013 15:37:38 GMT -5
Good News! Stonestreet Farms shared a link. 4 minutes ago.
Rachel Alexandra's condition remains stable Monday at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital
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cait
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Post by cait on Feb 18, 2013 17:28:23 GMT -5
Rachel Alexandra’s Condition Remains Stable Monday February 18, 2013: Lexington, KY Doctors at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky reported on Monday that 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra’s condition remains serious but stable as she recovers from abdominal surgery performed Wednesday, February 13th following foaling complications. Rachel Alexandra remains stable with an improved appetite on Monday. Rood & Riddle's Brent Comer happily accommodates her desire to be fed by hand. “If she wasn’t as smart and as strong-willed as she is,” said Dr. Bonnie Barr, “she wouldn’t be progressing the way she is.” This morning Rachel was able to go for a short walk outside, during which time she ate a small amount of grass. She remains bright with normal vital signs. On Saturday, a small amount of feed was introduced in addition to her IV fluids and nutrition. Her appetite continues to improve and attending veterinarians, Dr. Bonnie Barr and Dr. Brett Woodie, remained encouraged by her progress through the weekend. Please look for the next update on her condition Wednesday unless a change should occur. Her new, brighter stall is lucky #13, just like the Preakness post position from which she also defied the odds. www.stonestreetfarms.com/info/?page_id=144
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