Why do you have to euthanize a race horse just because of a broken leg?

Question

Why do you have to euthanize a race horse just because of a broken leg?

Answer 1

"Search for question": broken leg horse euthanize...you will find the other 50 people that asked this question today.

Answer 2

It is impossible to cure for a horse since they are not human. A horse need to stand up and walk and no way you can tell them to lay down and relax. On the other hand, human can lay down until their legs are heal. That is the different. It is not that we cannot cure the horse leg, but the horse cannot lay down until it completely heal.

Answer 3

A horse, as a prey animal, has a very low pain tolerance.  They cannot survive much pain at all - perhaps it's a trait because they are a prey animal.

Also, the horse is not designed to sustain excess weight on any of it's remaining limbs - unlike a deer that can survive an awful long time, years even with a broken leg, a horse cannot.  They get founder and laminitis in the remaining legs due to too much pressure.

Horses are pretty fragile creatures when you think about it.  Even changes in feed and weather can affect their feet - too much rich feed can cause laminitis (what Barbaro actually encountered that didn't allow him to heal as a human would have) - and once a horse experiences this, they're never the same.

Additionally, a horse doesn't have the ability to excercise caution with a hurt limb, again, being a prey animal, they rely mostly on their instincts - even in their relationships with us, they either interact successfully with us by considering us their herd leaders or they constantly try to live within the confines of an un-natural relationship avoiding pain and fear the best they can.

They can't even lie down for long amounts of time to allow such an injury to heal, their systems will not support their hearts and lungs due to the weight of their bodies when they lie down.  Most horses do lie down, but not for really long periods.

In summary - these animals are made to move and graze constantly and run from predators.  Any change from that nature carries outcomes that might befatal, detrimental or simply uncomfortable for them - living in a box stall is highly unnatural for them.  Living alone is un-natural.  Eating once a day is unnatural.

When you think about it, what we ask of them as our partners in life is so un-natural.  It's amazing that relationships exist between us and them.  Even more than dogs - at least humans and dogs are predators and share some of the same social aspects - but horses and people are much opposite, yet we enjoy such friendship with them so often.

Answer 4

Because the idiots who own the horse are too lazy, and don't want to spend their precious money on that poor horse who got them that money in the first place.

Answer 5

It's almost impossible to cure a broken leg on a race horse. If you think about it, many stallions are held up in slings while legs mend. They can be utilized for stud service and have a value.The deal in the Kentucky Derby the other day involved a female horse. Tragically there was no interest in trying to save her.

Answer 6

well, umm first of all you must stop to think of how big a horse is and how much weight it carries

horses are not like humans or any other animal - they carry a lot of weight,and need the four legs to stand on to do this. and when they fracture or break a leg, there is no possable way of keeping them confined or immobile for that leg to heal.

to this day our technology isnt advanced enough to figure out how to help a horse support this weight while the leg heals.

In the case of eight bells - she shattered both front legs,and putting her down was the best thing that could have humainly been done because of the pain she was in..

I suppose it also depends on where the brake is and how extensive it is.

Answer 7

well actually both ankles were broken, so it would be SOO hard for that to regain activity in both. but the worst part is that it was so young it was under 5 years old.

Try reading this:

http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/eight...

Answer 8

It's any horse. Their legs don't heal properly and they will feel the pain for the rest of their lives. How would you feel knowing you could've done something but instead allowed the animal to suffer every day of their lives?

Answer 9

Wow, SOOO many people have asked this question. I guess I'll reply again, but just go look at the other repeats of this question and you'll find an answer

Eight Belles didn't just "break a leg" she broke BOTH of her ankles. And it was a compound break. She was in pain, she couldn't stand, and there was no chance of recovery. She had to be euthanized, and it was the right choice- she was put out of her pain.

Answer 10

We don't have the technology yet to save a horse with two broken legs.  Someday they may find a way to support a horse until they can heal, but not now.  

The problem is a horse must stand.  Certain body functions will not work properly if a horse is kept laying down for a long period.  It's just like whales.  They need the support of water to support their own weight.  Without it, their lungs get crushed by gravity.  

The solution might be to invent localized anti-gravity that would nullify most of a horse's weight, but not all.  Since horses cannot vomit, they can't endure freefall.  

It's an interesting problem, but not solvable at present.  Since there is currently no solution and Eight Belles would have suffered if they had tried to save her, they gave her the quick way out.

Answer 11

There have been many good responses with solid reasons and explanations so far (not being able to physically stabilize a 1200lb horse with 2 broken limbs, pain during recovery, etc.)- so I will avoid being repetitive and point out a couple other issues.  At least one of the legs was an open wound, which obviously connected with the ground when Eight Bells collapsed.  This immediately adds a very dangerous element to the healing process- infections, debris being lodged in places it cannot be extracted from, etc. Problem #2, a horse requires a certain amount of physical movement to maintain a healthy digestive tract.  More horses die every year from digestive issues than anything else combined. They are quite delicate.  Without the ability to move at least at a walk (and hydrotherapy being impossible with an open wound) - you risk death from digestive issues as well.  Problem #3 - Horses can be their own worst enemy.  Athletic horses that are in prime condition, i.e. in daily training to perform in races, jumping competitions, endurance rides- are extremely fit and have lots and lots of energy.  They don't go from running at top speed to stall or stationary confinement very well.  All that energy gets misdirected and they re-injure themselves quite readily.  Problem #4- The horse's quality of life assuming they survive healing and rehabilitation- depending on where the injuries were, if they were somehow stabilized and healed, likely at least a couple joints would have to be fused - leaving the horse with no flexibility in at least one leg, not to mention the high potential for early arthritis.  So hopefully, when any of you read about how they 'killed' her- take into account how much worse it would have been for the horse if they had selfishly tried to save her!

Answer 12

This question was asked, link below (without a good title though).

Horses put 70% of their weight on their front legs when in a neutral standing position. There's no way she could have recovered fully. She would have been in pain her whole life, if she even made it past complications like founder and infection, which is what Barbaro ended up with. Putting her down was the right thing to do, poor thing.

One broken leg, that isn't a complicated break, can be fixed.  But a complex/compound break (like Barbaro's, he broke his leg in 4 places!) or two broken legs is almost impossible to recover from.

Answer 13

there was no way to help her with both front ankles broken, a horse is not like a cat or dog

Answer 14

Risk of further injury is the chief explanation.  During the recovery or healing process post operation, it is natural for thoroughbreds to attempt to stand and balance them self.  Even with a sling this would be a challenge.  Single leg injury as with Barbaro are complicated even with the most cooperative patient.  Ruffian is a case of post operative re-injury

Multiple leg injuries present an impossible challenge for both patient and caretaker(s).  Thrashing and falling are common risks during recovery and rehabilitation.  Re-injury to thorougbred patients and the risk of injury to personnel are avoidable accidents.

The unfortunate expedient procedure is euthanasia.

Answer 15

I understand why a broken leg cannot be fixed on a horse. But if a dog does irreperable damage to their legs, some owners (who can afford it) have a wheeled cart constructed that they push (or pull) along with their remaining legs. Why can't you make one of these for a horse? I understand this would cost more than the average horse ownder could afford, but hasn't there ever been a racehorse owner so attached to their horse that they were willing to bankroll their invalid horse for the rest of its life? You could also keep it pumped full of painkillers if need be. Again, I understand how much this would cost, but horseracing is a billionnaire's sport so my question is just whether or not its possible?