Thoroughbreds are fragile horses that face the risk of injury throughout their whole lives. It could happen during races, in the meadows as here at the Haras des Étincelles, or during exercise with their owner. A University of Liverpool study found that most injuries (62 %) occur in the meadows, compared to just 13 % during exercise. These injuries, which range from scrapes to fractures, can have dramatic consequences for horses. The equines are often unable to properly adjust to the period of immobilization essential for bone repair and the inactivity of recovery.