New Device Gives Healing Horses a Lift

and given medication to alleviate the pain. However due to a horses heavy weight and its strong flight response recovery from musculoskeletal problems is fraught with complications and secondary issues such as supportinglimb laminitis as was the case with the famous racehorse Barbaro.
The Kentucky Derby winner shattered his right hind fetlock while racing in the Preakness Stakes on May 20 2006. Equine surgeons successfully repaired his leg but eight months later Barbaro was euthanized after developing laminitis in his other feet.
Veterinarians regularly use slings to help support injured horses but current designs significantly limit the animals normal activity and support all of their weight on the thorax and abdomen. This leads to further problems because of compression on the lungs and development of pressure sores.
With the lift system Montgomery says clinicians can reduce and redistribute the weight the horse is carrying dynamically. The system allows the animal to be mobile with its weight partially or fully supported by the lift.
If we want to we can allow the horse to move around so we dont have these issues with muscle wasting says Montgomery. She adds that this function of the lift will also allow for more controlled rehabilitation of horses.
Leg fractures are one of the most common injuries that will benefit from this new technology but the lift can also be used with equine patients suffering from other musculoskeletal and neurological problems.
Montgomery and her research team have been conducting initial trials with the horse lift. First theyre examining how three healthy horses tolerate hanging out for extended periods of time in the sling and prototype lift system. Next they will use it with equine patients that have sustained limb fractures and would otherwise be euthanized. 
These trials will help them determine how the lift affects the horses behaviour and basic physiological