Why do horses need to be put down after breaking one of their legs?

They are not always put down after breaking a leg.

However, the majority are.

On average - Horses that are saved, are usually very valuable.

Or the break is a minor one (eg hairline fracture).

The financial cost can be horrific.

Not just a few thousand like a dog, which you take home after a day or two.

A horse can weigh between 500-700kg.

This means specialised slings and equipment, and due to the size of a horses leg bones, they are very slow to heal.

That can mean MANY MONTHS at a vet receiving specialised care, or specialised care at home.

So unless you are wealthy or prepared to put a second mortgage on your home...

It may not be an option.

A severe break to a large bone may never heal properly.

So is may not be worth the pain, suffering and cost.

I broke my femur (thigh bone) and it took 18 months to heal together.

I was a very healthy fit 21 year old, with excellent bones luckily.

The doctor said the larger the bone, the longer it takes to knit.

Also horses cannot lie down for long periods due to their size.

Hence slings, and extended vet stays etc.

This is very stressful for them.

Most people simply would not want to put their horse through the tremendous ordeal, even if they could afford it.

As already mentioned - They are prone to all manner of problems such as colic when stressed or not able to graze or lower their head normally, and laminits when one leg is favoured for extended periods.

So you could well spend tens of thousands - and end up with a dead horse before it’s over anyway.

It is a huge gamble and risk.

Even with the best of treatment.

At the end of it all, there is often no guarantee that the horse will not re-injure its leg.

Or even regain the usefulness of being ridden.

As I mentioned in the very beginning, severity of the break would play a huge part in the decision.

So for most.

It is kinder and easier to put it out of its misery.

Most vets will recommend euthanising immediately, bar the two exceptions I listed at the very beginning.

Sad but true.

They aren't always put down. It depends on the nature of the break. A simple, non-displaced break can often be healed by stall rest alone, and some more complex breaks can be surgically repaired. In these cases, success depends on the horse being able to tolerate enforced rest.

Other fractures, however, cannot be fixed. One consideration is how many fragments the bone has broken into. If the bone has been shattered and it is not possible to piece it back together, then the horse must be euthanized. If the skin is broken in a compound fracture, it is almost certain that foreign matter will be introduced into the wound, leading to infection. Again, euthanasia is the only option.

It's important to understand why the options you suggest don't work. The anatomy of a horse's leg is much different from a human's leg anatomy. The horse's leg below the knee or hock has very little muscle. It is mostly bone, ligaments, and tendons; in fact, all the tendons and ligaments are referred to as a "suspensory apparatus." They hold the bones together. The horse needs these tendons and ligaments in order to stand. Extensive damage, which may occur during a break, makes the healing process just that more difficult. Also, much of the blood supply to the leg is via small blood vessels that infuse the bone, rather than larger veins and arteries. This means that re-establishing blood supply across a break can be very difficult. It's a major reason why surgeries fail.

Another thing that distinguishes horses from other animals is that they must be able to stand on all four feet and distribute their weight evenly. If the horse cannot do this, then a condition called laminitis results. Laminitis is the inflammation of the tissue between the inner wall of the hoof and the coffin bone, which is the bone inside the hoof. In extreme cases, the coffin bone may rotate and even break through the sole of the foot. Laminitis is a painful condition and is difficult to cure. If it can't be managed quickly, the horse is usually put down in order to spare it great suffering.

Actually, slings are used in treating horses with broken bones. However, the horse cannot remain in the sling indefinitely. It is stressful for the animal. Horses need to be able to stand and move around in order to digest their food properly. They have delicate digestive systems, and a horse under stress is prone to colic, which can be fatal.

Another consideration is where the horse happens to be when it breaks its leg. If the horse can make it onto an equine ambulance and be taken to a properly equipped veterinary hospital, then it might be saved. If it is unable to walk or be moved, or if the accident occurs out in the middle of nowhere, then the horse must be euthanized. Otherwise it will die a slow, painful death.

Amputation has been done successfully, and is slowly becoming a viable treatment option. Success depends on several factors: location of the break, availability of a surgeon who can do the operation, availability of a prosthetic, and last but not least, the temperament of the patient. The horse must be able to tolerate the prosthetic and learn to put full weight on it. If the horse can't live with the prosthetic, then it's doomed.

It must be noted that cost can be a factor. Surgery to repair a horse's broken leg is very expensive and not covered by insurance. Many owners simply don't have the resources to afford surgery and the subsequent rehabilitation, especially when the outcome is uncertain.

This Site Might Help You.

RE:

Why do horses need to be put down after breaking one of their legs?

Can't the break be healed? And since they obviously can't stand after breaking one of their legs why not use a system of pulleys to hold them up during the time it takes to heal? Or bind their leg in a cast and sling it close to their body and have them balance on 3 legs?

Many factor's have to be considered when a horse breaks their leg. It's not that simple it's the complications that comes along with recovery are many. Even humans with severe pain want to die..severe pain is tragic. Age of the horse is important too, for young horses tend to have a better chance than older horses because their bones are still growing and they are much lighter in weight. The Quality of life is so important here. The type of break makes a big difference in determining whether a horse will be able to recover successfully. A complete fracture, which can result in the bone shattering. Many horses with incomplete fractures can recover. It's the extensive damage and multiple breaks that is serious and reason for euthanasia. Also, with some breaks bone fragments protrude through the skin the exposed bone can increase the chance of serious complications and suffering.

I provided a link so you can see horses with prosthetic legs. Molly, she has prosthetic leg and lives a great life..keep in mind not all horses are killed on the spot..it depends on the situation and what is really most humane thing to do...we really do care and want the best for horses at all times. :)

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?&p=mo...

:)

In this day and age a horse can usually heal from a broken leg due to modern technology and horse owners being more patient with their animals. A horse cannot live on three legs, as it weighs too much and relies on all four legs more than other animals.This is why its often can't survive if the leg doesn't heal...

The reason why it used to be (and sometimes still is) such a death sentence is for multiple reasons. For one thing it takes a long time for a break to heal, and many owners, especially those who own race horses, are not willing to deal with the time and money it takes for the horses to heal. Thus, it's easier for them to put down the horse than it is to heal it.

Another reason is that for a horses leg to heal, it needs bed rest. Horses really hate bed rest, especially if they need to be on it for several weeks or even months. Thus many people just aren't willing to put up with it, or the horses just can't handle it, and they are put down.

Lastly, it often costs a lot of money to heal a broken leg, and the outcome isn't always predictable. Many horse owners aren't rich and can't take on the cost of healing a horses' broken leg. Thus, some people are left with no choice but to put it down.

Because they are too heavy and can not lie down for long periods of time. They will crush their inside organs if they lay down too long and they need all 4 legs to support their weight if they stand. It's not easy or cheap to keep one alive if they break a leg but it can be done. I've seen them with fake legs and casts. Or you can put a sling in their stall to hold most of their weight. You also run into problems because they'll be in a lot of pain. If you give them pain medication they will want to move around but they cant.

Try balancing 1000+ pounds standing on 1 leg and one arm....

they cannot get up once they lie down , also the bone splinters more than just having a clean break . it is rare to plaster cast a leg

they will end up developing laminitis. but most horses develop laminitis it seems like anyways. it causes the horse extreme pain. & they do not want them to suffer.

Because their balls are tired.