Horse question...

[jbjennings]

I am from the country but not very educated on horses....I noticed in the big race this weekend that a horse who fractured his leg in the big race had to be euthanized. I know they must have a good reason for this since these horses are worth such an incredible sum of money and of course, since they probably love that horse like I do my bluetick coonhound. I am just curious, though, why is it they have to kill the critter. Seems like even if the horse couldn't race anymore, he could still breed or be a pet. I know this is a "must do" situation, but am just wondering why?
Thanks,
JBJ

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Horse question...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006050426708

 

[JB]

Re: Horse question...

Thoroughbreds are bred to race, to run. The fastest horses have long, slender bones and lots of muscle. Keeping weight off of a fractured leg long enough for healing and keeping the horse healthy at the same time is a challenge that not many are willing to undertake and most of the time it fails. Same reason elderly people with a fractured pelvis do not survive (both of my parents passed away within a week of falling and fracturing their pelvises).

An equine specialized vet can examine the fracture and determine the odds of survival pretty quickly. No horseperson wants an animal to suffer. Too bad we can't take the same attitude toward old people who are in permanent pain and want to go.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Horse question...

I only know a few things because my sister has several. The blood flow in the legs of a horse is differant that humans for one thing. Also horses have to exercise to help avoid colic. ( a digestive system disorder) The note about humans often dieing from broken hips when they are old is very true, My dad broke his hip at age 87 and about 1 hour after arriving at the ER passed from a heart attack.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Horse question...

Insurance is another big reason.
Nobody wants to put one down, but when you have them insured enough, it make's it a lot easier to go that route instead of having a vet try to "save" them.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Horse question...

My former stud who I'll be getting back in a week or so (Grandson of Dash For Cash) was injured when he was a yearling. He ripped all of the muscles from his right rear leg and just shredded everything but the bone. Because of his lineage it was decided it was worth it to save him for breeding. He healed after about a year and is pretty normal. You can't ride him but he can carry a kid without it bothering him. He has a slight gimp on that leg but everything else is ok. He has made lots of fine running horses that are on the track right now and doing very well. I'm breeding him with stout Quarter Horse mares trying to get some speed in some big cow horses. I don't know what horse was put down but for some its worth it to save them. Some its not. Its all what the owner wants to gamble on.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Horse question...

Almost all the reasons mentioned here are correct ones.

Another reason is that race horses that blow out legs during races isn't a trait you want passed to subsequent generations.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Horse question...

Another reason is that race horses that blow out legs during races isn't a trait you want passed to subsequent generations.

Agreed...nor is it one that people will pay $50,000 a shot for breeding. When that animals leg blew out, his value went to nil. Putting them down is a hard decision, and it definitely affects you, but sometimes it is the right thing to do for the horse. If you choose to work with animals, you have to be ready to make those decisions and accept them...The one thing all living things are certain to do is die...

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Horse question...

Thanks Guys,
That was very helpful. NOW I KNOW! I suspected it was for a really good reason. I'm embarrassed I didn't know but won't have to be anymore.
JBJ