Anyone that saw the Preakness race in 2006 saw the injury of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro who faltered within seconds of leaving the starting gate. The horse had a broken leg and his racing career was effectively ended.

Fortunately, Barbaro was able to have his break in a cast and as of mid-September 2006 he was healing very well. Many horses aren't that lucky and for most, a broken leg is equal to a death sentence as many horses are unable to cope with an injury such as a broken leg by remaining immobile. A broken leg for a horse can take months to heal and while a human can remain sedentary waiting for an injury to heal, a horse simply isn't wire that way and will continually attempt to walk in a broken limb no matter how much pain it causes.

The problem comes for what to do when the horse is healing. If the horse is sedated he won't fare well. Horses that are confined to small spaces while they heal will tend to tap and stomp their feet, even a broken one. Slings caused terrible chaffing of the skin and can lead to open sores on the horse's injured leg.

A brace is what is normally used if the horse is in good health and young enough to withstand the time it takes to heal. The horse's legs are designed to constantly bear weight and people discovered putting horses in slings during the healing time from a broken limb actually caused their limbs to atrophy. Braces that allow a horse to put minimal weight on the break is the optimum way to go for proper healing and walking rehabilitation.