A broken P3 (the third phalanx, or coffin bone) can sideline a racehorse for several months. It can be career-ending or just a temporary setback depending on the position and severity of the break. Small fractures on the side of the bone are said to be wing fractures because they are located on the wings of the P3 bone. (picture1) They can actually separate the wing tip from the rest of the P3, or just compromise the structure with a hairline fracture in that area.