Barbaro's cast was replaced on his laminitis-stricken left hind foot, and the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner received a custom-made plastic and steel brace on his right hind leg.
The colt's left cast was replaced in a planned procedure Jan. 24. He also got a special orthotic brace on the right foot that will give him additional support and give doctors easier access to an abscess that was drained.
Barbaro is doing well at the New Bolton Center, according to a University of Pennsylvania statement.
“Barbaro had another smooth pool-recovery and has been comfortable with an excellent attitude and appetite since then,” said Dr. Dean Richardson, chief of surgery. “We will probably replace his left hind foot cast under anesthesia again at least two or three times at roughly two-week intervals if his comfort is maintained. We were very pleased with the progress of his left hind foot since the last cast was applied.”
In addition, new shoes were placed on both front feet for additional support.
An abscess near the lateral heel of his right hind foot was drained, and the brace that was applied will allow more regular treatment of that foot.
Owned by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, Barbaro has been in intensive care since shattering three bones in his right rear leg at the start of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) on May 20.
In July, Barbaro developed laminitis in his left hoof due to uneven weight distribution in the limbs, 80% of that hoof was removed.
The next update will be posted Jan. 31, unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.