HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



constitutes strain or sprain. Man\' diseases around joints 

 have their starting point in these structures. The so-called 

 break down " in race horses is of tliis nature. A fre(}uent 

 seat of strain is at the flexor tendons below the knee. Heat, 

 pain, and swelling are prominent signs in a recent sprain. 



Apply the following lotion : Tincture of arnica, 2 ounces ; 

 laudanum, 2 ounces ; water, i pint. Mix, and wet the part 

 freely, subsequently putting on tightly a hot, but dry iiannel 

 bandage. Repeat four times daily. If not completely cured in 

 two or three weeks, try a blister or hring. If the heels are low^, 

 look to the shoeing. 



CONTRACTED TENDONS, 



The tendons of the fore and hind limbs are commonly con- 

 tracted. Foals are occasionally born with this defect, the 

 cure for which demands surgical interference. Thoroughbred 

 foals seem the most liable to it. It may come on within a 

 couple of years. The precise cause is not well understood. 

 Over growth (in length) of the cannon bone is liable to be 

 followed by deficiency in the length of the flexor tendons, 

 consequently knuckling over. 



Symptoms. — The foal may not be able to stand, if so, 

 perhaps it stands upon the fronts of the fetlock joint. As 

 the defect can often be remedied, the sooner professional skill 

 is sought the better. For knuckling over in adult ' horses, 

 division of the tendon (tenotomy) sometimes does good. 



Bruising of the tissues is not an uncommon accident. It 

 may occur along with an external wound, or apart from such (see 

 ^^'ounds). The swelling should be bathed with water — cold 

 first, then warm. Bruises about the elbow and arm have often 



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