8 June, 1907.] Lameness in Horses. 365 



A word may here be said O'li the subject of shoeing during' training. 

 In my opinion, if only that the liability to sore shins may be decreased, 

 young horses should be trained in three-quarter shoes only, in order that 

 the full benefit of the elasticity of the frog in the minimizing of co-ncussion 

 may be gained. 



Symptoms. — In addition to the local s\mptoros given above, and per- 

 haps prior to their being observed, it will be noticed that the horse goes 

 " short " in the gallop, and pulls up " sore." These signs will be accen- 

 tuated if the " going " is hard and they will become more severe if exer- 

 cise is persisted in, until on resting after a gallop the horse will be so sore 

 as to be almost immovable, and the local symptoms will become more 

 exaggerated. 



Treatment. — If, on the tirst appearance of soreness, the horse is 

 rested and the shins fomented with hot water and bandaged, the attack may 

 not develop acutely. When the swelling and local inflammation are more 

 pronounced, the object tO' be aimed at is to get the " heat " out of the 

 part as (]uickly as possible in order that an absorbent blister may be 

 applied to remove the swelling before it hardens and becomes transformed 

 into bone. Hot fomentations and cooling lotion (see page 77) should 

 therefore be persistently and continuously applied for a few davs. durin^ 

 which febrile symptoms should be checked 1 '\ laxatixe food and medicines 

 (see page 219). Immediately the acuteness of the inflammation is checked 

 red mercury blistering ointment (see page 75) should be smartlv applied. 



In \erv acute cases there is great danger of death of the bone (necrosis) 

 occurring through the circulation being arrested bv the ]>ressure of the 

 inflammatory exudate between the bone and its sensitive fibrous covering 

 (the periosteum). In such cases the operation of periosteotomy (see page 

 272) should be- jjerformed without delay so that the pressure may be 

 removed. The incisions may be matle at the j)arts where the swelling is 

 greatest, but care should be taken that the sheaths of the extensor tendons 

 {extensor pedis and extensor swffraginis) are not opened. 



After recoxery from an acute attack of sore shins, the horse should be 

 indulged with a lengthened spell in order that the parts may become 

 strengthened and the bone better matured. If the horse is put into work 

 too soon a recurrence of the attack may be looked for. The likelihood of 

 recurrence is lessened if on resuming work the exercise is confined to walk- 

 ing and trotting for a time. At these paces, as previously explained, the con- 

 cussive strain on the shins is not so great. When galloping is resumed it 

 should, until all danger of soreness is past, be limited to short distances, 

 for the reason that the effect of the jar during galloping increases in ratio 

 to the length of time it is continued, and consequently the longer the gallop 

 the greater is the liabilitx to recurrence of soreness. 



FETLOCK LAMENESS. 



Lameness of the true fetlock joint — Arthritls — is rare except in old 

 and deformed horses, but certain of the structures in the vicinity of the 

 joint are often the seat of lameness. Of such lamenesses those as.sociated 

 with Sesamoiditis and Windgalls are the most common. Sometimes the 

 buiding ligaments of the joint become sprained and cau.^e marked lameness. 

 It is however usually of a transient character although it ma\' result in 

 "knuckling over " for a considerable time. 



