158 



DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



SPLINTS. 



A splint is a bony enlargement, usually situated on the inside 

 of the leg between the knee or the hock and the fetlock (ankle) 

 joint. Occasionally splints are seen on the outside of a horse'- 

 leg. There is what is called the high splint and the low splint, 

 the former being the most serious. Splints are more often SIM MI 

 in young horses. 



Causes. Some colts are more subject to splint than others. 

 owing to their build and action when traveling. External in- 

 juries of various kinds, as kicks, blows, cuts, etc., are quite com- 

 mon causes of the trouble. The most productive cause of splint, 

 however, is concussion, due to riding or driving on hard roads. 

 Country horses coming to the city usually develop splint very 

 quickly, and it is very common among city horses. Improper 

 shoeing and allowing the feet to grow out of shape, are con- 

 ditions which are apt to cause splint, espe- 

 cially if the animal is driven on hard roads. 



Symptoms. In most cases the animal 

 shows lameness; he walks almost or quite 

 sound, and when trotted he drops on the 

 sound leg, especially if driven on hard 

 ground. The hand should" be passed down 

 the sides of the cannon bone of the leg 

 affected, to discover, if possible, any enlarge- 

 ment. This may be of some difficulty, as 

 the enlargement may not be as large as a 

 pea, The presence of heat in the part may 

 be of some use as a guide to discover the 

 trouble. When found, press upon the en- 

 largement with the fingers and observe 

 S (S n Low. whether the animal shows or manifests 



