io8 THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



It may also be due to the limbs being temporarily swollen, the inner 

 surfaces of the fetlock being thus more prominent and consequently more 

 likely to be struck. Defective shoeing and neglect of the feet are also 

 common causes. Young horses when first put to work frequently brush 

 owing to awkward action in their strange surroundings. In these cases 

 brushing ceases when the animal becomes accustomed to its work. 

 Brushing is a common injury to the hind fetlock, in addition to the fore. 

 After any operation on the inner aspect of the limb in the region of the 

 fetlock there is a tendency on the part of the animal to brush until the 

 swelling consequent upon the operation has entirely subsided. 



The nature also of the injury very much resembles that of speedy 

 cutting, and, as in the latter case, abscess formation may result. The 

 degree of injury varies from a slight superficial bruising to a severe 

 contusion leading to most severe lameness. 



The injury should be treated after the manner already described in the 

 treatment of speedy cutting. 



There are several methods of preventing brushing. Shoeing each 

 foot close on the inner side, and carefully attending to the clinchers, feather- 

 edged, knocked-up, wedge-heeled shoes (all of which may be blind- 

 sided), all tend to prevent the infliction of injury. Charlier's shoe is 

 frequently adopted, whilst some animals are shod with tips. 



Another method of prevention is to applv Yorkshire boots to the 

 fetlocks. These are simply pieces of old rugging or felt tied round 

 the joint, and folded down over the part in such a manner that the 

 blow is received on the boot. 



ARTICULAR WINDGALL 



The most common form of windgall is found in connection with 

 the sheath of the flexor tendons. This is dealt with in the chapter 

 relating to these structures. The form under consideration is a 



