DISEASE OF BONES, JOINTS, ETC. 



Young horses with over bent hocks should be very care- 

 fully worked if one wants to try and avoid curb. We should not 

 advise the purchase of a young animal having hecks of this 

 conformation. 



Any exertion bringing a special degree of strain upon the 

 hocks, e.g, jumping, shpping upon the haunches, backing, etc. 



Symptoms. — It is only when the curb is forming that one 

 can find any heat about it. Lameness is present at the same 

 time, but afterwards it is comparatively rare. It is very 

 seldom that the lameness lasts longer than a month. The size 

 oi the curb is no criterion as regards the likelihood of lame- 

 ness. If the latter is present there is a want of extending 

 power in the hock when the animal is made to trot. The swell- 

 ing at the back of the hock line feels hard. 



Treatment. — When the curb is forming apply cooling 

 lotion, using tow and a pressure bandage. We do not believe 

 in the apphcation of a high heeled shoe, believing that it favours 

 permanent thickening of the ligament. Rest. As soon as the 

 inflammation has gone, or in the case of an old curb, apply 

 daily (on the tip of the finger with friction) for five minutes, 

 equal parts of red blistering ointment — iodine ointment and 

 strong mercurial ointment. It is seldom the curb is removed, 

 but the ointment deserves a fair trial. Firing is sometimes 

 resorted to, and greatly reduces the size of the curb. 



SPRAINS AND BRUISES. 



Both tendons and ligaments are liable to suffer injury 

 when overstretched. Both these structures are composed of 

 bundles of minute fibres, and it is the rupture of these that 



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