Our hypothesis was that post‐yield mechanical behavior of compact bone material in compression, defined as the stress, strain, or energy absorbed between 0.2% strain‐offset and the point of maximum stress, is correlated with material density, modulus, strength, histomorphometric evidence of remodeling, and post‐failure gross specimen morphology. Post‐yield behavior of compact bone material from the third metacarpal bone of 10 horses, ages 5 months to 20 years, was investigated using single‐load compression‐to‐failure. The post‐yield stress, strain, and absorbed energy were compared with the compressive elastic modulus, yield stress, ash density, post‐failure macroscopic appearance of the specimen, and histologic evidence of remodeling. High values of elastic modulus, yield stress, and ash density were associated with low values of post‐yield mechanical properties (stress, strain, and absorbed energy).

Macroscopic post‐failure morphology was associated with post‐yield mechanical behavior, in that specimens displaying fractures were associated with lower post‐yield mechanical properties, and that those without evidence of frank fracture were associated with higher post‐yield mechanical properties. Microscopic evidence of remodeling activity was associated with high post‐yield mechanical properties, but not with gross post‐failure morphology. There was an abrupt change from relatively high values to extremely low values of post‐yield mechanical properties at intermediate levels of ash density. This feature may serve as a functional upper limit to the maximization of bone material stiffness and strength.