Pelvis Fractures in Horses

Pelvic fractures in horses can result from a fall, a kick from another horse, or an injury sustained when a horse is cast (lying down in a position that prevents standing up) and struggles to rise. Signs of a pelvic fracture might include lameness, reluctance to move, discomfort, and uneven or asymmetric appearance of the rump and hip bones when the horse is viewed from the rear.

Simple nondisplaced pelvic fractures often heal completely, allowing the horse to return to the same level of performance as before the injury. According to one report, more than 75% of horses diagnosed with a pelvic fracture were able to be used for performance or breeding after recovery. According to a presentation at the 2014 AAEP convention, horses have raced successfully after pelvic fractures.

Breaks involving a joint, those where the pelvis was broken in several places, and fractures in older horses had outcomes that were less successful.

Surgery to repair a fractured pelvis in an adult horse would be extremely difficult, and the thick tissues covering the skeleton in the horse’s pelvic area are usually able to keep the broken bone properly aligned and somewhat stable. The best healing is likely to take place if the horse can be kept quiet and inactive in a deeply bedded stall for about six months. After this period of time, a gradual return to work can begin.