■SoS CHAPTER 44. 



cussion, which would othcnvise arise from ra])id violent motion. It is 

 very liable to suffer from sprains arising from such causes ; but more 

 esi>eeially in race horses, whose feet in galloping come to the gi'ound with 

 great violence, and also in hunters on landing over fences. 



This ligament may be strained in anij imrt. After its division the 

 inner, for obvious reasons, is more often strained than the outer l^ranch. 

 For symptoms of strain of the ligament, see paragraph G84. Fur special 

 treatment of severe strains of the ligament, see paragraph 687, sentence 

 10. 



679. Duties of Extensor Tendons. 



Tlie Extensor tendons (E) are seldom sprained, because their functions 

 in jirogression are only secondar\\ They merely straighten and bring 

 fonvard the leg, after it has been raised by the action of the flexors. 



In the fore leg, we may mention that the Flexors are situated at the 

 back, and the Extensors arc in the front of the leg; but in the hiud leg 

 there is one Flexor and one Extensor in front, whilst there are two 

 Flexors, one of which is accessory, at the back. 



680. Symptoms indicating a sjjrain, — How to ascertain its seat. 



We now suppose the reader to have found out by means of the rules 

 given in the last Chapter but one, that the seat of lameness is some- 

 wliere in the tendons or ligaments of the fore-leg. We shall endeavour 

 to give the signs, by which the exact position of tlie sprain may bo 

 ascertained. 



The slightest sprain produces some lesion, however minute, and this 

 of necessity causes inflammation, — needed indeed to* repair the injury. 

 AVe have, therefore, as a consequence, heat, tenderness, effusion, and 

 lameness. The greater the injuiy, the greater are these symptoms. On 

 the other hand, the lesion, though sufficient to cause pain and therefore 

 lameness, may be very slight ; or it may be deep seated, and the external 

 apjiearances, though the injur}' be severe, may still be y^ry slight. 

 Again, in some, and especially in deep-seated sprains, the visible sym- 

 ptoms, on account of the part being closely bound down by other tendons 

 and ligaments, may not appear exactly over the seat of the injury. 



681. Distinction in symptoms between sprains of the Flexor Tendons, and 

 sprains of the Metacarpal and superior Sesamoideal Ligaments. 



Injuiy to either of the Flexor tendons is indicated, when the horse is 

 iu motion, by want of j^roper flexion of the knee. ' There is inability to 

 flex and raise the leg, and consequently a tendency to draff the toe on the 

 (/round. But when standing still the horse keeps the knee slightly beat, 

 so as to relax the tendons. In this jiosition, he throws as little weight us 

 possible on the injured part. 



On the other hand, in sprains of cither the Metacarpal or of the 

 superior Sesamoideal ligament, the leg is raised freely cntniah, becauso 

 the teudonS; which perform that duty, arc not affected ; but pain and 



