Veterinarians changed Barbaro’s cast Monday, officials at the George D. Widener Hospital said today (Oct.10).
“We placed Barbaro under general anesthesia to remove the old cast on his right hind limb and took new radiographs to assess the continued healing of the original injuries,” said Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. “I was pleased with the continued progression of healing and the overall condition of this leg.”

Barbaro, who was injured in the Preakness Stakes two weeks after his impressive performance in winning the Kentucky Derby, recovered from sedation in a pool and was resting comfortably in his stall after the procedure. In addition to replacing the cast, doctors trimmed his hooves and applied a new shoe on the right hind foot. A few hours after recovery, he was taken back outside to graze and was comfortable on both hind legs.

“There are no signs of infection and the primary incisions have healed surprisingly well,” said Richardson, chief of surgery at the New Bolton Center. “Because he has had a cast on for so long, there are a few cast sores, but nothing serious.”

Barbaro’s left hind foot, which had laminitis, continues to gradually improve. “There is good growth along the quarters but there will need to be much more healing along the front of the hoof,” said Richardson, who cautioned that “we still have many months of healing ahead of us