1. A horse with a broken leg becomes apathetic and depressed.
   A horse with a broken leg is a danger to other horses and humans.
2. The complex bone structure of a horse's leg and other factors prevent full recovery from a break.

Because of the complexity of the bone structure of their legs and the fact that horses spend most of the time standing, including when sleeping, a broken bone rarely heals completely. Walking on three good legs causes complications and suffering.

1. strenuous physical activities
   weak bone structure
2. carrying too much weight

Racing and riding horses engage in strenuous physical activities and are more prone to injury.

1. 60
   80
2. 100

Of its 206 bones, 80 are in the legs.

1. rear legs
   hooves
2. front legs

Most injuries are to the front legs.

1. The front legs are more delicate.
   Most of the weight is on the front legs.
2. Cramps in front legs sometimes cause the horse to stumble and fall.

From 60 to 65 percent of the horse's weight rests on its front legs.

1. lethal injection
   lethal gas
2. lethal high-power rifle

Today the horse is usually given a lethal injection by a veterinarian.

1. inadequate diet
   loose horse shoes
2. fatigue

Other factors could be fatigue and the musculoskeletal structure of the horse itself.

1. temporary impaired vision
   strained tendons, and hairline fractures
2. gastroenteritis

Undiagnosed strained tendons, and hairline fractures can also be major factors.

1. use of synthetic absorbent materials
   use of hard even surfaces
2. grass is cut shorter

Synthetic materials are being used to create an absorbent inner surface on the track to reduce the impact of horses' hooves and reduce the likelihood of missteps and twisted legs.

1. proper warm up before a race
   correct grooming prior to a race
2. sufficient recuperation time after minor injuries

Owners need to give the horse sufficient time to recuperate after minor injuries.

1. Protein-rich food is needed to increase muscle-mass.
   Nutritional supplements contribute to healthy joints and bones.
2. Dairy products promote healthy hooves.

Nutritional supplements contribute to strong, healthy hooves, joints and bones.

1. Many horses can recover.
   For horses under four years of age, it is.
2. An incomplete fracture is as bad as a complete break.

Many horses can recover from an incomplete fracture, since the bone cracks but does not break.

1. An older horse acts in a more responsible manner when injured.
   Female horses have better natural recovery systems.
2. A younger horse has a better chance of recovery.

A young horse's bones are still growing and their lesser weight puts less pressure on the injured leg.

1. upper leg break
   multiple breaks
2. limited stable room

Extensive damage and multiple breaks usually lead to the final curtain.

1. Horses can suffer a great deal during the recuperation process.
   An injured horse will be a financial burden.
2. The performance of other horses is adversely affected by the presence of an injured horse.

Several painful conditions can develop during recuperation, making euthanasia a more humane solution.

1. No point a handicapped horse cannot race.
   A horse with a prosthesis is ostracized by other horses, leading to depression and health problems.
2. Few horses adapt well to a prosthesis.

Few horses can adapt to a prosthesis because of their weight and active nature.

1. It is an infectious blood disorder leading to gangrene.
   It is a painful inflammatory disease that can cause hoof to separate from the leg
2. A condition where the bone does not heal but begins painful disintegration.

It is a painful inflammatory disease of the material connecting the hoof to the leg bone and can cause separation.

1. She recovered from a broken leg but did not race again.
   After a full recovery she broke the same leg again and subsequently had to be euthanized.
2. After breaking both front ankle, she was euthanized on the spot.

Eight Belles had to be euthanized immediately after breaking both front ankles just after the race.

1. Reasonable pain that causes caution has positive elements.
   Pain is pain and the only solution is euthanasia.
2. If the pain is medicated the horse will become addicted.

An acceptable degree of pain can cause the caution required to help recovery. Overwhelming pain is a major reason to euthanized.

1. Horses do not cooperate with medical professionals
   Other horses react negatively to an injured horse and could harm it.
2. There is no guarantee of success and is complicated and expensive.

It is a long, complicated, expensive process requiring space and expertise that are not always readily available, apart from which recovery is not certain.