8 June, 1907.] 



Lameness in Horses. 



369 



" Knucl^ling over" at the Fetlocl^, 



This is a condition more frequentl}' met with in tlie hind fetlocks than 

 the fore and will be more particularly dealt with along with hind liml) 

 lajmenesses. In voung foals however a condition of "knuckling o\'er " at 

 the fore fetlocks is sometimes met with. It is due to elongation of the 

 binding ligaments of the joint and except it is prom[)tlv remedied a per- 

 manent defor.mitx will result. During the first three weeks after birth 

 foals frequenth' kiuicklf, but if bv that time they have not "straightened 

 up '' the joinc should 1 e fixed in natural position bv means of a jjlaster of 

 liaris bandage and cane splints. In the course of a week or two, on 

 removal of the bandage it will be found that the ligaments have contracted 

 and the joint will remain in position. (See Figs. 27 and 28.) 



A somewhat remarkable difference in the reaction of tendons and of 

 ligaments to disease processes mav here be noted. Ligaments and tendons 

 are practicalK identical in structure, consisting as thev each dO' of dense 

 white fibrous tissue ; yet, after sprain, ligaments elongate and tend to 

 liecoime' gelatinous and soft, while tendons contract and become harder 

 and more dense in structure. 



PASTERN LAMENESS. 



" Breal^down " or Sprain of the Inferior Suspensory or Sesamoidean 



Ligamer]ts. 



The term " break-down " is often applied to sprain or rupture of the 

 superior suspensory ligament, but the literal meaning of the term implies 

 a condition in which there is breaking of something wherebv the fetlock 



Fi^. 2C). '■ liieakdown. 



(After Dollar. 



pad is borne down and touches the ground. In sprain of the superior 

 suspensory ligament this seldom occurs — one or the other of its forked 

 branches may rupture, but hardlv ever both. Actual rupture of the in- 

 ferior suspensory ligaments, however, often occurs in steeplechase horses, 

 and the fetlock joint in extreme cases will tou(^h the ground when the 

 weight comes on the limb, so that the term "break-down " is more appo- 

 sitelv applied to this condition. (See Fig. 29.) 



