Classic winner Barbaro was doing well Wednesday morning after the cast on his right hind limb was changed late Tuesday afternoon under general anesthesia at the New Bolton Center. "The leg looked good under the cast, especially considering the length of time that he has been in a cast," said Dr. Dean Richardson, chief of surgery. "The radiographs also were encouraging. There is no sign of active infection. This is further supported by his markedly improving blood values over the last two weeks. He had an excellent pool recovery; he is a very intelligent horse and has definitely figured out the whole process." The cast on the right hind leg encloses the foot and extends up to just below the hock. It will continue to be changed regularly until the fractures and joint fusions have healed completely enough to sustain full weight bearing.
The bandage and protective boot on Barbaro's laminitic left hind foot continues to be changed daily. "The appearance of the foot is very good. It is dry and healthy looking with excellent early regrowth at the coronary band," said Dr. Richardson. Barbaro remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Pennsylvania's George D. Widener Hospital, where he is recovering from injuries suffered at the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) on May 20, two weeks after his impressive victory in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (gr. I).
