Barbaro Continues to Show Signs of Improvement

Edited press release

Barbaro is improving slowly and steadily, according to veterinarians at the University of Pennsylvania George D. Widener Hospital's New Bolton Center.

"We are pleased with his progress," Dr. Dean Richardson, chief of surgery at the hospital, said Sept. 13. "He is wearing the cast on his right hind limb well; we continue to monitor it closely, and we expect to change the cast and radiograph the leg within the next seven to 10 days."

In addition, Barbaro continues to stand comfortably on his laminitic left hind foot.

"The left hind foot is progressing well, especially as it grows down from the coronary band," Richardson said. "However, we remain cautious, because Barbaro will still need several more months of healing before we'll know how well the overall hoof structure can be restored."

Barbaro continues to be hand-grazed daily, and his vital signs and appetite are excellent, officials said.

Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital, where he is recovering from injuries suffered shortly after the start of the May 20 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).