Fractures do occur on equine athletes somewhat frequently as they tend to occur in most mammals from time to time. When an compound or “open” fracture happens the bone is exposed to the environment and contamination occurs rapidly. These fractures can be reduced and internal fixation devices or pins, plates or screws can be applied to give the fracture stability. The complicated part of this equation is circulation to the area and maintaining equal distribution of weight to all four limbs. When the affected limb is unable to bear its share of the horse weight while recovering overloading the other limbs can lead to laminitis which is what many of these cases finally suffer from. The laminitis episode can become so severe that the horse has to be euthanized. Not to mention the incredible amount of antibiotics that the horse must be on for a very long time after it has an open fracture.
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