— S89- 



in some cases the shoulder-joint is involved. A much more 

 serious afifair than simple shoulder sprain is the result 



Shoulder lameness is common to young horses when ploughing 

 in the furrow. 



Symptoms. The absence of heat; tenderness, and swelling in 

 any other part of the leg or foot. Always find out with certainty 

 where there is no lameness and the situation of lameness will 

 very soon be apparent. Negative and positive symptoms should 

 always be well considered before coming to a final conclusion, as 

 by doing so the situation or trouble is so narrowed down that a 

 mistake can scarcely occur. Shoulder lameness, however, is known 

 by the horse stepping longer with the lame leg, and shorter with 

 the sound one ; and, excepting in very severe cases, the horse will 

 not only point the leg out from the body, but carry it also to the 

 side of the body. Now, in most sprains and diseases in the foot, 

 the leg will be pointed straight out without any side position. 



Take the leg which is lame by the pastern, and gently carry, or 

 pull it straight out from the body of the horse in front, and gently 

 also to the outside ; if it should be shoulder lameness, the horse 

 will not only show evidences of pain, but will in many cases, de- 

 pending»upon the spirit and animation of the horse, get up from 

 the ground with the sound leg and endeavor to wrest the lame 

 leg from you. 



In very severe cases, when occurring from a bruise, the horse 

 will stand on his toe, which is evidence of contusion of the 

 shoulder. 



Treatment. Absolute and entire rest, warm water cloths ap- 

 plied for two days, followed by cold water cloths, in the same 

 way, and for as many days. Then a slight blister of the Spanish 

 fly may be rubbed into the skin of the shoulder, taking care that 

 none of it is put on at the situation of the collar, as it would ren- 

 der the part a little tender for a while by friction om the collar. 

 Take Spanish fly in powder, one drachm ; hog's lard, six drachms; 

 mix, and make an ointment, or salve, and rub the better half of 

 it into the skin. Next day wash off with warm water (not hot), 

 and when dry from washing, anoint the blistered parts with oil or 

 lard, daily, for a week. It is not advisable to put horses to work 

 •r even exercise, too soon after getting well from lameness. 



