250 THE HORSE 



up on his knees; but whatever the cause, th-e means of 

 prevention are the same. 



If the shoe-boil is not large and does not contain 

 matter, it may sometimes be reduced by rubbing it with 

 camphorated oil. If the tumor is hot and painful a 

 poultice should be applied to relieve the horse, and a 

 veterinary surgeon should be called in either to lance it, 

 or to cut it out, as the case may be. 



SPRUNG KNEES 



Sprung knees come about in three ways. Some 

 horses, including not a few valuable animals, are foaled 

 and always remain knee-sprung. To this class belonged 

 Robert J., for example, the once famous pacer whose 

 record is 2.01 J4- 



Ordinarily, however, sprung knees are caused either 

 first, by some strain of the tendons or of the knee- 

 joint — it is uncertain which — or, secondly, by de- 

 fective feet. It is easy to make a young horse, or a 

 horse out of condition, knee-sprung, by working him 

 too hard or too fast, and especially by using him in a 

 vehicle too heavy for him. Light-boned horses are 

 particularly subject to this Injury, and I have more 

 than once seen a young, light-boned horse made knee- 

 sprung by giving him a few long drives in a vehicle a 

 little too heavy for his weight and strength. Standing 

 in a stall which slopes backward too much will often 

 produce the same result. 



In case a horse becomes knee-sprung by overstrain, 

 he should be given light, but regular, work, and his legs 

 should be rubbed two or three times a week with some 



