KNEE-TIED SPRAIN OF THE BACK SINEWS 5 



be of equal thickness at the heel and toe, and formed 

 so that the foot may bear equally on both sides. 



m 



KNEE-TIED. 



In some instances, when the trapezium or hinder 

 bone of the knee is not sufficiently prominent, the 

 ligamentous ring by which the tendons are bound 

 together, will confine the flexor tendons of the foot so 

 tightly that the leg will be very deficient in depth 

 under the knee. This is known by the phrase, that 

 the horse is " tied below the knee." This defect has 

 always been found to limit the speed of the animal 

 as well as its endurance. If such a horse is ridden 

 either fast or far, he is almost certain of being seized 

 with a sprain of the back sinews. This is caused by 

 the pressure of the ring producing such a degree of 

 friction as will militate against the free action of the 

 tendons, and thus requiring a greater degree of exer- 

 tion to keep up progressive motion. This will be the 

 case, even with the best horse, otherwise well formed, 

 and who has a complete degree of muscular develop- 

 ment, which by a continuance of the pressure and 

 action must strain the tendons. But this is not all : 

 when the back tendons are thus bound down, they are 

 squeezed into a more oblique direction, consequently it 

 requires a greater force to make the muscles act, and 

 fatigue is induced in a shorter time, and it is almost 

 always accompanied by a sprain. In short, it is 

 one of the worst defects incidental to the horse. 



SPRAIN OF THE BACK SINEWS. 



The back tendons are enclosed in a sheath of 

 thick cellular substance, which not only protects 



