Although Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro\’s recovery from a broken leg in the Preakness Stakes (Md.) and subsequent laminitis has been nothing short of miraculous, he encountered a serious setback on Jan. 10.

His left hind foot became acutely uncomfortable after he had a new cast applied. The cast was removed and some new separation of the medial portion of the hoof was found, according to the University of Pennsylvania updates.

Barbaro underwent additional surgery to remove damaged tissue. On Jan. 13 Dean W. Richardson, DVM, reported that he was able to conduct a full assessment of the foot and removed another area of undermined hoof wall. The left hind deep digital flexor tendon was cut to help decrease the pull on the coffin bone by that tendon. This was a repeat of the surgery done in July.

He then replaced the cast on the right hind lower limb for additional support. On Jan. 15 Thehorse.com reported that Barbaro has improved significantly since the surgery two days earlier.

“He is doing much better, but he has a long way to go,” said Richardson. “He is eating well, and we have not had him in his sling for the last 24 hours.”