AbstractThe flexural tests on 37 whole equine metacarpus bones are described and the results are given in terms of fundamental material properties as a function of age. The moduli of elasticity, rupture, and failure increase then decrease with increasing age. The rupture and failure deformations decrease with age. The stiffness and fragility indices increase with age. Averaging the data for all ages, the modulus of rupture was 35 ksi, the deflection at rupture was 0.22 inches, and the modulus of elasticity was 1.7 × 10 psi. The flexural rupture strength is about twice the uniaxial compression strength and about five times greater than the torsional strength for whole bone tests. The moduli of elasticity are about the same for flexure and uniaxial compression, and about five times greater than the torsional modulus of rigidity for whole equine bone.