J THE HORSE. 
nothing but compulsory work will restore to a healthy condition. The 
only treatment necessary in the early stage of strain of the hip joint is 
rest and cooling diet, &c.; but, after six weeks or two months, a gradual 
return to work is indispensable to effect a cure. 
STRAINS OF THE STIFLE, Independently of blows, are rare ; but the latter 
often are inflicted upon this joint in hunting, leaving little evidence 
externally, so that it is almost always doubtful whether the injury is the 
result of a blow or strain. The symptoms are a swelling and tenderness of 
the joint, which can be ascertained by a careful examination ; and on 
trotting the horse, there is manifested a difficulty or stiffmess in drawing 
forward the hind leg under the belly. ‘The treatment must be by bleeding 
and physicking in the early stage, together with hot fomentations to the 
part, continued every hour until the heat subsides. After a few days, if 
she joint is still painful, a large blister should be applied, or, what is still 
better, a seton should be inserted in the skin adjacent. 
THE HOCK ITSELF is lable to strain, independently of the peculiar 
accident known as “curb.” When it occurs, there is some heat of the 
part, with more or less lameness, and neither spavin, thoroughpin, nor 
curb to account for them. ‘The injury is seldom severe, and may be 
relieved by fomentations for a day or two, followed by cold lotions, as 
prescribed at page 474, for strain of the back sinews. 
CURB. 
By A REFERENCE TO PAGE 362, it will be seen that the lower part ot the 
posterior surface of the os calcis is firmly united to the cuboid and 
external metatarsal bone by two strong ligamentous bands, called the 
calcaneo-cuboid and calcaneo-metatarsal ligaments. The centre of these 
ligaments is about seven or eight inches below the point of the hock, and 
when a soft but elastic swelling suddenly makes its appearance there, it 
may with certainty be asserted that a “curb” has been thrown out. The 
accident occurs somewhat suddenly ; but the swelling and inflammation 
do not always show themselves until after a night’s rest, when the part is 
generally enlarged, hot, and tender. The precise extent of the strain is 
of little consequence ; for whatever its nature, the treatment should be 
sufficiently active to reduce the ligaments to their healthy condition. 
Some horses have naturally the head of the external small metatarsal 
bone unusually large, and the hock so formed that there is an angle 
between the large metatarsal bone and the tarsus, leaving a prominence, 
which, however, is hard and bony, and not soft and elastic, as is the case 
with curb. Such hocks are generally inclined to throw out curbs ; but 
there are many exceptions, and some of the most suspicious-looking joints 
have been known to stand sound for years. Curbs are seldom thrown out 
by very old horses, and usually occur between the commencement of 
breaking-in and the seventh or eighth year, though they are not unfre- 
quently met with in the younger colt, being occasioned by his gambols 
over hilly ground. The treatmené should at first be studicusly confined 
to a reduction of the inflammation; any attempt to procure absorption till 
this is effected being injurious in the extreme. If there is much heat in 
the part, blood may be taken from the thigh vein, the corn shoald be 
removed, and a dose of physic given as soon as practicable. The carb 
should then be kept wet (by means of a bandage lightly applied) with the 
lotion recommended at page 470 for capped hocks, and this should be con- 
tinued until the inflammation is entirely gone. During this treatment, in 
