Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro continues to improve a week after his right hind leg cast change. “Barbaro is wearing his new cast comfortably and his vital signs and appetite remain excellent,” said Dean W. Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, chief of surgery at Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital.

Barbaro’s left hind foot, which had a large portion of the hoof wall and sole removed because of severe laminitis, is gradually improving. “The hoof is growing slowly, but he has a long way to go, especially along the front of the hoof,” said Richardson. “We still have many months of healing ahead of us. The foot will require meticulous care for a long time.”

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 on May 20.

The next update will be posted on Tuesday, Oct. 24, unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition