Dr. Dean Richardson, chief of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center, said Kentucky Derby (G1) winner BARBARO (Dynaformer) has developed a severe case of laminitis in his left hind foot and that his chances of recovering from the condition were "poor."
"It's as bad a case of laminitis as you can have," Richardson said during a Thursday morning press conference. "It's as bad as it gets."
Barbaro developed the often fatal condition after undergoing surgery late Saturday to replace the plate and many of the screws that had been inserted into his shattered right hind leg, which he injured during the early stages of the May 20 Preakness S. (G1).
Richardson said Barbaro underwent a hoof wall resection Wednesday morning. Following the procedure, the colt was fitted with a foam-padded foot cast.
"We removed a large portion of his hoof wall because it wasn't connected to his coffin bone," Richardson said. "He probably has about 20 percent of his hoof wall that's still attached to his coffin bone. So it's a very severe case of laminitis."
Richardson said they will use pain management techniques to keep the horse comfortable.
"As long as the horse is not suffering, we're going to continue to try," Richardson said. "If you asked me two weeks ago, I really thought we were going to make it. Today, I am not as confident."
