Four Common Racehorse Injuries Involving Fractures

All athletes are at a greater risk for injury than are their non-sporting friends and neighbours, so it should come as no surprise that equine athletes should be any different. Here, we'll take a quick look at four common racehorse injuries involving fractures.

Bone Chips in the Ankles or Knees

When racing stress strikes, bone chips can work their way into tissues around the knee or ankle. If they remain attached to the horse's body, they do not normally interfere with the basic movement of the leg, however the swelling and pain can be significant, and can cause a horse to miss training and racing for an extended period of time. Normally, bone chips can be removed via arthroscopic surgery, and following a few months of rest, plus a few months of re-training to rebuild important tissues.

Slab Fracture

A slab fracture is actually a break in the horse's knee, in which the flat slab of carpal bone splits and in which the front portion of the bone becomes detached. While this can be repaired surgically, horses with slab fractures rarely return to serious racing.

Condylar Fracture

A Condylar Fracture involves the cannon bone; at the bottom of this bone, there is a bulbous portion which fits into the fetlock joint; this is the condylar. These fractures can be surgically repaired, however a return to a state of soundness suitable for racing is highly dependent upon the seriousness of the injury. Normally, in uncomplicated cases, the horse rests in his stall for at least a month, with more rest and easy hand-walking. Exercise progresses, with the horse normally spending months slowly regaining speed; each case is different, and while some horses are able to adjust and race well, others simply cannot function well enough to race again after a Condylar fracture.

Sesamoid Fracture

Two very small, delicate bones which are located at the rear of the fetlock, the sesamoids are held in place by tiny ligaments that serve as pulleys; over these, the deep digital flexor tendons pass, allowing the foot to move properly. Normally, sesamoid fractures involve injuries to suspensory apparatus, and surgery can sometimes be performed to bring the horse back to normal function.

If you've ever experienced a fracture, then you know just how sever the pain can be, and if the fracture was a severe one, it might still be affecting you now, months or even years after it occurred. The best "treatment" is avoidance. Work with a qualified trainer to help your thoroughbred stay healthy and fit for racing.