258 SPRAIN OF THE BAGK-SINEWS. 



air and relieved from the pressure of the weight ol the body ; and, 

 although this contraction is to no great extent, it will be sufficient 

 to carry the foot harmlessly by the leg. Care should likewise be 

 taken that the shoe is of equal thickness at the heel and the toe. 

 and that the bearing is equal on both sides. 



Tied in Below the Knee. — Immediately under the knee, is 

 one of those ligamentous rings by which the tendons are so use- 

 fully bound down and secured ; but if the hinder bone of the 

 knee, the trapezium, described at p. 250, is not sufficiently prom- 

 inent, this ring will confine the flexor tendons of the foot too 

 tightly, and the leg will be very deficient in depth under the knee. 

 This is called being tied in beioiv the knee (b, Fig. 41). Every 

 horseman recognizes it as a most serious defect. It is scarcely 

 compatible with speed, and most assuredly not with continuance. 

 Such a horse cannot be ridden far and fast, without serious sprain 

 of the back sinews. There are few more serious defects than this 

 tying-in of the tendons immediately below the knee. The fore- 

 leg may be narrow in front, but it must be deep at the side, in 

 order to render the horse valuable ; for then only Avill the tendons 

 have free action, and the muscular force be exerted in the most 

 advantageous direction. There are few good race-horses whose 

 legs are not deep below the knee. If there are exceptions, it is 

 because their exertion, although violent, is but of short continuance. 



In a perfect leg, and towards its lower part, there should be 

 three distinct and perfect projections visible to the eye, as well as 

 perceptible by the finger — the sides of the shank-bone being the 

 most forward of the three ; next, the suspensory ligament ; and, 

 hindermost of all, the flexor tendons. When these are not to be 

 distinctly seen or felt, or there is considerable thickening about 

 them and between them {d, Fig. 41), and the leg is round instead 

 of flat and deep, there has been what is commonly, but improp- 

 erly, called^^ 



SPRAIN OF THE BACK-SINEWS. 



These tendons are enclosed in a sheath of dense cellular sub- 

 stance, in order to confine them in their situation, and to defend 

 them from injury, Between the tendon and the sheath, there is 



* Note by Mr. Spooner. — We cannot agree with the author when he says 

 that there are few good race-horses but what are deep in the leg below the 

 knee. Very many first class race-horses have very faulty fore-legs, being 

 slight and tottering below the knee. It is well known to trainers that such 

 legs often stand their work very well, for race horses require strength rather 

 In'the extensors than in the flexors of the limb. Their action should be long 

 and low, not high and round, which high withers and strong flexor musclea 

 are calculated to produce. Thus what would be a grievous fault in almost 

 every other kind of horse, is not, with a horse kept purely for the turf 



