226 NAVIN ox THE HOESE. 



STRAINS, OR SPRAINS. 



A STEAm is a severe wrenching of the muscles, tendons, or 

 ligaments of a part. Some of the fibers of the part may be 

 lacerated or torn. Strains constitute an important class of 

 the accidents of the horse. Strains of many parts deserve 

 special consideration; as strain of the coffin-joint, of the back 

 sinews, of the stifle, of the shoulder, of the back, of the hip- 

 joint, of the knee, and of the pastern-joint. 



SWEENY. 



This is an affection of the muscles of the outer side of the 

 .shoulder. It is very common in the Western States. It is 

 •characterized by a shrinking of the shoulder, with lameness. 

 Jt is atrophy, or wasting away, of the muscles. 



Si/mjytoms. — The symptoms of sweeny are easily detected. 

 The first observed will generally be a slight lameness, particu- 

 larly under the saddle or in harness. "When this is observed, 

 the horse will be found to stand with the foot of the affected 

 side extended forward and a little outward, evidently for the 

 purpose of resting the tired and sore muscles. On examining 

 Ihe shoulder, the muscles over the shoulder-blade will be found 

 : shrunken on the affected side, and on kneeding, bruising, or 

 pulling the skin of the shoulder, the horse will show signs of 

 pain and tenderness. If there is any doubt of the case, by 

 getting on the horse, and comparing the two shoulders, any 

 ^difference in the size may be discovered. 



Causes. — This difficulty results from strain of the muscles 

 laffected, causing them to waste or shrink away. It more fre- 

 •quently occurs in young horses, and in the spring of the year. 



Treatment. — The object of the treatment is to remove that 

 morbid or diseased condition of the muscles of the outside of 

 the shoulder, which causes them to waste away or become atro- 

 phied. Use the following liniment: 



