Why is it that when derby horses break a leg or ankle they get euthanized?

Question

Or it's just very difficult for them to survive such a break? You saw it today with a horse being put-down after breaking it's two front ankles in the Kentucky Derby and you saw of course the tragedy that happened to Barbosa

Answer 1

Because horses' legs are so much more easier to break than ours.  If the horse was to break one leg instead, it could have very well have gotten laminitis, which can be fatal to a horse.  That is how Barbaro (rest his soul) died.  Horses are put upside down for surgeries when they break a leg, but they can't be in that position for too long due to stress.  It's sad that the horse was put down after the race, but they knew there was nothing that could be done.

Answer 2

It's not just a derby horse, it's all horses.  It's expensive to mend and more often than not, it doesn't work.