Why race horses have to be euthanized immediately as in the case of the last K.D.?

Question

Why race horses have to be euthanized immediately as in the case of the last K.D.?

Answer 1

Eight Belles was euthanized because she had broken both front legs a moment or so after crossing the finish line. Injuries like that are always fatal to a horse, because horses are not like people- you can't put them in a cast for 3 to 6 months and not expect them to have problems. They do not respond well to long periods of confinement- horses evolved as grazing animals on the steppes of Asia and North America, and they were never intended to be animals which lived in stalls and ate grain. Euthanasia was clearly the only route to go in this filly's case- and the quicker the better, as she was clearly in agony from her injuries. In some ways, this wasn't any different than putting a dog which has been hit by a car to sleep. The filly never knew what happened once she was given the intial shot- she would have just gone to sleep.

Answer 2

Eight Belles was put down immediately because she was in so much pain and could not even get off the track. If she wasnt put down, she would suffer, and no one wants that.

RIP Belle

Answer 3

Eight Belles fell due to a currently unknown cause, and broke both of her ankles. She didn't have a front leg to stand on to even be trailered to the nearest equine hospital.

Answer 4

They don't have to be euthanized 'immediately', but the alternative is to allow them to suffer.  Eight Belles could not stand and would be terrified as well as in extreme pain from broken ankles.