Barbaro has "improved considerably" after weekend surgery to remove a section of his laminitis-stricken left rear hoof. The Kentucky Derby winner was "stable and comfortable" Tuesday, said Dean Richardson, chief surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center, where Barbaro has been recovering since shattering his right rear leg in the Preakness Stakes on May 20.

"Barbaro's comfort improved considerably following the procedure on Saturday morning," Richardson said in an update released by the center. "He has been standing and moving around his stall well enough that sling support has not been added since."

Richardson said the 4-year-colt's appetite has improved and that his vital signs are stable.

"Overall, we are pleased with his progress following the setback to his left hind foot," Richardson said.

Last July, Barbaro developed severe laminitis, an often fatal hoof disease caused by uneven weight distribution in the limbs, in his left hind hoof. Eighty percent of that hoof was removed.

Last week, Barbaro suffered his first significant setback since, with Richardson removing damaged tissue from the colt's left hind hoof after Barbaro became noticeably uncomfortable. On Saturday, Barbaro had surgery to remove another section of hoof.

At the time, Richardson said, "the left hind deep digital flexor tendon was cut to help decrease the pull on the coffin bone by that tendon. This was previously done in July, but the tendon had healed and was pulling on the coffin bone, contributing to the malalignment of the coffin bone."

Before the recent setbacks, Barbaro had made such significant improvement that plans were being made to possibly move the colt to a horse farm to continue his recovery. The cast had been taken off the right rear leg, and the cast on the left rear hoof had been removed.
Source: www.kfmb.com