why isnt it possible to save a horse with a broken leg

Discussion in 'Bulletin Board ARCHIVE' started by Farnham_Red, Apr 15, 2012.

  1. Farnham_Red

    Farnham_Red Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    Just thinking about the 2 horses put down in the national and I am sure either would have been saved if it was possible.
    Its clear that the owners of accoding to Pete would have spent whatever it took to keep him alive

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-17719966

    and I am fairly sure the same could have been said for Synchronised

    Dogs and Cats routinely recover from broken legs so I wonder why Horses cant?
     
    Farnham_Red, Apr 15, 2012
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  2. RichK

    RichK Well-Known Member

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    I always thought that, just presumed they take the decision to do it because they can't race anymore so. No use to a trainer.
     
    RichK, Apr 15, 2012
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  3. Matt1575

    Matt1575 Well-Known Member

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    A Horse's leg would never heal sufficiently enough to be able to support it's vast weight, unfortunately.
     
    Matt1575, Apr 15, 2012
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  4. SuperTyke

    SuperTyke Well-Known Member

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    It's because of a few things.
    In short they spend so much time on their legs that there is no real time to heal (a cat and dog lays down a lot, a horse doesnt), they have 80 bones in their legs which makes it more complicated and they don't spread their weight evenly over all four legs.

    http://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/broken-leg-horse.htm
     
    SuperTyke, Apr 15, 2012
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  5. EastStander

    EastStander Active Member

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    According to a racing expert (trainer maybe) on radio on Friday, he was saying it's because "you can't tell a horse it will be ok", put a plaster on it's leg and the horse will just panic and perhaps be a greater danger to itself.
    Personally I think it's because the owners know it will never race again so don't want the expense.
     
    EastStander, Apr 15, 2012
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