8r4 CHAPTER 39. 



over that exhibited at a walk. The lameness produced by an incipient 

 splint is often excessive. In many cases, however, the animal goes 

 sound at a walk, though very lame at a trot. In cases of doubt the horse 

 should be trotted downhill on hard ground, when the increased concus- 

 sion will cause him to favour the lame leg. 



The lameness arising from splint is further distinguished by a very 

 marked dropping of the head when the sound leg comes to the ground, 

 and a corresponding jerking up of the head when the lame leg is brought 

 down. In feeling for splint, the opposite leg should be held up in order 

 to compel the animal to brace up the tendons of the affected leg, when 

 any inequality about the bones will be more easily felt ; and secondly, 

 the lame leg should be raised in such a manner as to bring the knee of 

 the horse under the ann of the examiner. The tendons are then fully 

 relaxed, and the bones can be felt to advantage. 



In either of these positions the leg is favorably placed for examination ; 

 and if the fingers be applied along the leg, and into the channel between 

 the inner small and great bone, the incipient splint will probably be 

 detected by the inequality, if any such yet exists ; or by the pain evinced 

 on the application of pressure to the part in which there is inflammation. 



In some cases, however, the incipient splint is so small, and possibly 

 the seat of the inflammatoiy action may at first be so completely in the 

 interosseous ligaments between the bones, that nothing can be felt ; and 

 the only indication leading to a suspicion that a splint is forming, con- 

 sists in the horse going very lame at a trot, whilst sound at a wall^. A 

 little extra heat may, however, perhaps be felt on careful examination. 

 The development of a splint may in such cases be expected, and must be 

 carefully watched for. The lameness and heat, if the horse is rested for 

 a few days, will sometimes disappear ; but will be again apparent if the 

 animal is worked. 



625. Degree of importance to he attached to Splint. 



Splints, as has been stated, do not usually of themselves produce lame- 

 ness after they are fully formed. They only become a source of lameness 

 when so situated as to be struck by the other leg in action, or when they 

 interfere with the free passage of the suspensory ligament, or more 

 rarely of the flexor tendons. 



In other respects the importance of a splint is chiefly dependent on 

 the make and shape of the legs in reference to the work required of the 

 particular horse. 



If the legs are sound and good, and if the action is true and level, the 

 mere fact that certain causes have at some time or other developed an 

 exostosis on the leg, need not deter an intending purchaser. As a prac- 

 tical fact almost all horses have splints ; and they are only of consequence 

 when subject to or arising from the influences enumerated above. 



But if the legs are weak or crooked, or if the action is defective, it is 

 probable enough that the same structural weakness or defects, which 

 have at one time developed Splint, may at some future time reproduce it 

 or some other disease. 



