Why can't horses legs be fixed if they are broken? is it just an anaesthetic risk thing?

[SeaSide81]

As I understand it, the reason a broken leg cannot be fixed on a horse is because of the weight. For their size, a horse has very slender, delicate legs in general. Unlike a human who can prop the foot, use crutches, etc. or a dog that can limp just fine on three, a horse's weight and balance don't let them keep the weight off the leg. So basically, even with a cast and some support, a horse with a broken leg is basically pounding and grinding the break almost constantly, which keeps it from healing.

I have heard of some success with foals with broken legs; I assume it is because they are a lot smaller so less weight and baby bones heal quickly. Also, babies are easier to control and keep from doing more damage.

Another problem with horses is the panic factor. A horse with a bad injury often panics completely from the pain and from the fear of being helpless. They often start thrashing and fighting and injure themselves worse.

A horse with a broken leg CAN be fixed....sometimes. There have been cases. Occasionally, they do save a horse with a broken leg, usually using a specially made, reinforced cast to keep weight off the fracture and also a harness that lifts the horse slightly to keep the weight off and the horse from moving. They can't do this all the time because a lot of horses panic badly when put in the harness and also, it is terribly expensive. A lot of owners can't afford the kinds of treatments necessary to even try, especially when recovery for the horse is usually less than 50%.

It is a sad thing, but really can't be helped most of the time.

[naughtygirl]

Can u imagin the stress the horse wuld go threw, on 24/7 box rest with its leg in a cast?! remember horses r flight animals, if they r unable to run, they face curtain death, and even tho this usually isnt the cast with our horses, its jst not fair on them!

[madvoice]

I've seen horses recover from fractures but these are generally mild or stress fractures. I have never seen a vet treat a horse with a fully broken leg. Like SeaSide81 has said, a horse's weight and the delicate bone structure often negate successful treatment.

[cassidy]

unlike humans an things horses cant cope with the weight on their legs an cant really lie down for long periods of time due to the fact that they can catch colic

its just the way it is!

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

There are certain breaks that can be fixed(to an extent) but it results in the horse being ket up in a sling and many horses fight against the sling and make everything worse.

BBJ

[Super Step]

Also trying to keep the weight off the broken limb could present problems. It is also hard to keep a horses foot elevated to reduce swelling. Their legs have poor circulation with healthy limbs.

There are many factors.

[Blistering Winds]

Horses CAN recover from a broken leg. But because of the lack of ability to pull weight off of the leg, it is very difficult.

If you can afford slinging the horse for several months, that is one option.

The second is to basically wrap it and let it heal as is. The school did this with a horse many years ago. Has his hock shattered. They turned the hrose out for a year, brought the horse back in, horse was sound as can be!

Vets can pin some fractures back together if you got the funds too.

Biggest thing it boils down to....HOw much money do you got to spend on the horse. Almost ANYTHING, with the right funds, can be mended and fixed. But then, you got to decide what is more important. A horse that will probably be a pasture buddy horse for the rest of it's life or food, housing, transportation for your children.

Unfortunately, I had this choice to make. Estimation ran around 10,000 for surgery MINIMUM and she'd be slung for many months before released. It was moving into 30,000 just to make her sound enough to stand and eat. Never would she be rideable and she may STILL Not be sound enough to live a good life. I chose not to put her through it.

All injuries come down to one thing. Finances.

[steeledancer]

SeaSide hit the nail on the head. I have known people who HAVE had mature horses recover from badly broken legs, but it is expensive, and it does take a long time.

[MyBabyTex]

They can be fixed. But like what has been said, it comes down to finance. And even if I had all the money in the world I don't think I would put any horse through that. Keeping a horse immobile is just about the cruelest thing you can do to them.