120 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



more than natural. Sometimes there is only partial rupture of one of 

 the bifurcations. Then allay the irritation, and apply a starch bandage 

 and a high-heeled shoe, and slings are sometimes of benefit in such 

 cases. If the animal will lie down and take good care of the limb, it is 

 better than slings. 



Inferior Sesanoid Lii^aments are also liable to sprain. This may 

 give rise to a lameness which is puzzling. It is most likely to occur in 

 fast horses — race and trotting horses, the latter oftener suffer here than 

 higher up. 



Symptoms. — It is difficult to say which of the three ligaments is 

 affected. There is more or less irritation, giving rise to lameness, at 

 first sight, after fast work. After cooling off the horse goes lame for 

 eight or ten steps and it possibly disappears. The leg is bandaged and 

 he is taken out the next morning. There appears to be nothing wrong ; 

 there may be a little pointing of the foot, which shows the irritation is 

 low down ; you may detect slight swelling and heat in this region ; trot- 

 ting him causes pain. Give rest ; hot or cold applications and counter- 

 irritations ; but be careful with it in this region ; it may destroy the skin 

 and hair bulbs. The tendons may be cut — usually from the action of 

 the hind feet, or if in the hind feet, from one horse running upon another. 

 Bring the parts together with a suture, and keep them well bandaged. 

 Keep as quiet as possible, and, if practicable, use slings, and take a 

 piece of iron and fasten on like a shoe, and let it come up the back 

 of the limb and grasp the limb above the joint. Although there is 

 thickening of the tendon, it does not seriously interfere with his action ; 

 or the tendons, ligaments, nerves, etc., may be cut off below the 

 joint, and the hoof will take on a very peculiar growth. If the ten- 

 dons alone are cut, then bandage nicely and watch closely, for the 

 irritation is liable to extend down between the sensitive and insensitive 

 parts of the foot and produce extensive suppuration. When it does it is 

 necessary to cut down and allow the matter to escape. But if these are 

 entirely cut, you might as well recommend the animal destroyed, You 

 might produce reunioun in a partial manner, but the animal is of no use 

 afterward. 



Sesamoiditis. — Sprain of the back tendons in the region of the fet- 

 lock, accompanied by inflammation of the sesamoids and bursae. It is 

 due to a slight sprain of the part, or to rhuematic inflammation of the 

 joint, but most likely some injury or concussion. It is not common in 

 road horses. 



Symptoms. — On first coming from the stable the animal is slightly stiff , 

 but this will disappear to some extent after exercising, and will again ap- 

 pear after resting. There will be knuckling slightly, and there is a slight 

 puffiness around the horse. A careful examination reveals heat in the 

 parts. Flexing or extending the limb creates pain, and the animal will 

 go more lame. There are changes that take place, perhaps a cartilagin- 

 ous deposit, which may be converted into bone. In such cases lameness 

 continues for some time, and there is a well-marked enlargement around 

 the joint, at first puffy, then hard. 



Treatment. — Best, fomentations, heat or cold, followed by a blister. 

 We find other causes of slight sprain, and it is hard to say what is the 

 exact lesion. It is usually produced by hard or fast work upon hard 

 roads, or hard pulling. He may extend the limb pretty well, but if 

 trotted, there is difficulty in distending the limb. There may be anchy- 

 losis of the joint. When you see a horse knuckling in the fetlock, do 

 not make up your mind that the disease is in the fetlock in all cases ; but 

 it is symptomatic of disease of the fetlock. Use hot or cold applications, 



