April 14, 2016 
The University of Saskatchewan has unveiled a new robotic sling system which may improve the odds of survival for horses suffering from serious traumatic injuries, including limb fractures. Saskatoon’s RMD Engineering team joined forces veterinary radiologists and equine biomechanics at the university to design the prototype lift system, which they say offers improved mobility and weight distribution for horses recovering from life-threatening injuries.
After surgery to repair a limb fracture, horses are typically treated for pain and confined to a stall, where they are prone to develop secondary complications, such as reinjury or laminitis. Unlike many support lifts currently used by veterinarians, the University of Saskatchewan’s robotic system allows horses to be partially mobile while also distributing weight more efficiently than other models, which have a tendency to compress the lungs and create pressure sores. The ability to move about more freely, team leader Dr. Julia Montgomery says, can help to prevent muscle wasting and allows the horse to have a more controlled rehabilitation.
Researchers hope the device may also offer treatment for horses with musculoskeletal or neurological problems. The robotic lift has so far been tested on three, healthy horses, but the team soon plans to conduct trials using horses with limb fractures who would otherwise be euthanized.
You can read Science Daily’s full story here or watch the University of Saskatchewan’s video below.
