Posted this in another thread. Buddy and I were watching BC yesterday when the horse went down and had to be destroyed. He asked me why they had to put him down and I'm not sure of the answer. I have seen this many times but the only answer I ever rember was that horses can't heal a broken leg or the pain was unberable for the animal and that sounds pretty lame. I can't believe it's financial reasons with these owners having so much money into these horses it seems like the most humane thing to do is save them. I know they would never race again but why not just keep horse give horse away after it heals. Kinda of stumped on this one.
Decisions to euthanise race horses for in race injuries are mainly based on the seriousness of the injury (especially with top quality throughbreds). I know a cannon bone fracture that breaks the skin is almost always fatal for a race horse. Yesterday in the BC Mile Funfair sustained "a catastrophic injury" an open fracture of the right behind cannon bone. Funfair continued to run after losing rider Edgar Prado, who was unhurt, running on the break only complicated the injury.
Unfortunate and sad part of horseracing.
wil..<!-- END STORY -->
Unfortunate and sad part of horseracing.
wil..<!-- END STORY -->
Wil is correct.One thing to remember is that these horses are just too big for the horses legs.And when a injury like that occurs,because of the horses weight they will never be able to heel.Horses ankes are smaller than humans yet they carry 600 to a thousand pounds more weight.Without a doubt it is the right thing to do.
Horse racing Questions
It is a sad thing, but in most all cases it is impossible to heal. The Horse naturally wants to put his weight on the leg and if you keep him sedated you would have to keep him that way around the clock. The first thing he wants to do if he gets his legs under him are put the weight on the leg, and walk or run. You would have to have him immobilized off the ground and then sedated for months until the shattered bone tried to heal.
It is a sad thing, but in most all cases it is impossible to heal. The Horse naturally wants to put his weight on the leg and if you keep him sedated you would have to keep him that way around the clock. The first thing he wants to do if he gets his legs under him are put the weight on the leg, and walk or run. You would have to have him immobilized off the ground and then sedated for months until the shattered bone tried to heal.
These thoroughbreds are so high strung that recovery efforts are very difficult. I believe it was Hoist The Flag many years ago ,who came out of surgery only to thrash his leg which was encased in a cast, against the stall wall. Placing him in a pool of water to eliminate any contact with the injury was also tried. Eventually he had to be euthanized. The high value of these animals (especially in breeding terms) and the possibility of a life threatening injury creates high insurance premiums. Owners opt to retire their horse at an earlier age rather than take the risks. Indeed, it is the sad part of racing when these magnificent animals break down.
Although there is concern with the weight issue on the leg, most horses I've seen with fractured cannon bones that could not be saved it was usually a case of the blood vessels and supply being so badly damaged that THAT was the reason euthanization was necessary. With out the circulation necessary, the bone doesn't heal and the leg would become useless. Then more serious problems such as foundering in the oppostie foot will start to occur. Laminitis and rotation of the coffin bone could then start after that.
with ruffian (would be the same for most other horses that were worth trying to save) they put a brase on the leg but when she woke up from surgery her own spirt would not allow her to keep the damaged leg still and she kicked and thrashed so the leg simply could not be healed.
also when the horse goes into shock it is very difficult for recovery.
also when the horse goes into shock it is very difficult for recovery.
i cried when i heard the testimonal on ruffian and i got sick to my stomach when they interviewed foolish pleasure trainer leroy jollys father who said right after the match race we put a 21 second first quarter in that bitch and broke her down and he was laughing and thrilled about this.
