I really don't understand

[Lisa123wm]

Why were the two horses that both fractured a leg, put down after the Grand National?

Yes, I know that it's the end of their racing careers, but why do they have to die?

Surely, they can be put out to stud at least? It makes me so sad that because they can no longer make their owners money on the track, they have to lose their lives.

I know they are race horses, but still - it just seems wrong to me.

Or am I missing something?

[Guest]

Totally agree.
Can't stand the Grand National

[Lozza]

I actually had to google this because I thought the same thing.

Apparently they can't walk on 3 legs and they aren't partial to resting up for 12-16 weeks.

[shauney]

Because broken legs on horses can't be treated. You can't fit a "collar of shame" to a horse like you can to a dog to stop them nibbling on the wound.

I think it's awful that this happens every year

[lottiesmum0]

On the race coverage it said as the above poster said they are not good immobilized and they can get pneumonia when in a sling. They said it was kinder to do it immediately than letting the horse suffer.
I don't know myself just saying what they said on tv.

[ali-s]

My friends horse broke his leg and they managed to mend it (this was in New Zealand in the 80's )but he had to stand resting in a sling for weeks on end. Maybe it depends on the type of fracture or the temperament of the horse. Not sure a racehorse would take to months of immobilisation.

[ChristieK0310]

Apparently (according to bbc) horses aren't like humans andante it's not possible to immobilise a horses limb. If they were to try ANC sling it then the horse would get pneumonia which I'm assuming would also be fatal. They then said that the very best equine vets in the world were there and if they could treat a horse then they would but they just couldn't treat these two they did say repeatedly that it's the kindest thing to the horse but I do feel sorry for it.

However I do think they wouldn't be able to put it down unless there really was nothing that could be done to prevent the animals unnecessary suffering.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along but hope this helps x

[Lisa123wm]

Thanks for the replies - seems I was missing something then.
Such a shame though.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Lisa123wm

Thanks for the replies - seems I was missing something then.
Such a shame though.

See more...

I agree with you x

[Guest]

My DS follows horse racing avidly, not only the betting but the background on the horses, trainers and jockeys.

He has said it depends on what sort of break it is on the horses leg.

A very good Racehorse called Frankle has broken its back leg this week, while in training. Its not going to be put down because this type of break can be mended. But the horse will probably never race again.

DS says the horse syncrinised that was put down today was worth 100s of thousands of pounds.if it could have been saved it would have been.

The other horse was more like a family pet was owned by a newsagent and his family and they were devistated,

The Horses are not put down for financial reasons.