Yikes......this horse was euthanized with his broken leg.....

[a kennedy]

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Saint Liam, the 2005 Eclipse Award winner as Horse of the Year, was euthanized on Tuesday after injuring his hind leg.

The 6-year-old stallion, who won the 2005 Breeders' Cup Classic at Belmont Park last October, was being turned out at his paddock at Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Ky., when he slipped and fell, suffering a left tibial fracture.

He was taken to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, where he was euthanized.

Dr. Larry Bramlage, who examined Saint Liam when he arrived at the hospital, said there was no treatment possible on the injury.

"It was a freak accident," Bramlage said. "It's something that would require months of bedrest in a person, but in a horse, he had nothing in the leg left to support him."

Saint Liam, a son of Saint Ballado and trained by Richard Dutrow, won nine of his 20 career starts and earned $4,456,995.

A message was left seeking comment from Lane's End Farm.

The horse's death was first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/2006-08-22-saint-liam_x.htm

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. What a shame!

Rest in peace, St. Liam...

[GCP]

2. Horses are truly beautiful animals

Such power on such fragile legs - it's a real pity they're so easily injured.