Suspensory ligament injuries are among the most common and career-ending conditions in performance horses, raising important welfare questions about the demands placed on equine athletes and the adequacy of treatment and retirement options.
Suspensory injuries create significant welfare challenges across the entire treatment arc. The injury itself causes pain that manifests as lameness, behavioral changes, and reduced willingness to work. The prolonged rest period required for healing creates psychological frustration in horses accustomed to daily exercise and social interaction. Stall confinement - sometimes necessary - restricts natural behavior and can trigger stereotypic behaviors like crib-biting or weaving. Economic pressure on horse owners and trainers creates incentives to return horses to work before full healing, perpetuating injury cycles. When injuries end performance careers, retirement options vary widely in quality - from excellent pasture retirement to inappropriate sales and auction outcomes.