SORE SHINS. 207 



found affecting the young animals. It oftenest occurs in the 

 leg with which the animal leads off in galloping. 



Causes. — Sore shins are caused by violent and oft-repeated 

 concussion, such as horses, and more particularly young 

 horses, are subjected to whilst undergoing their gallops in 

 training for races. A horse with heavy pounding action is 

 far more likely to suffer than a horse with light action. 

 The gallop is the gait most productive of sore shins, and 

 certain tracks, as a very hard track for instance, is far more 

 likel}'' to cause it than a turf or other soft course. Sore shins 

 are very likely to follow a severe gallop down grade, as the 

 strain is so much greater on the fore-legs, as well as the 

 concussion being more severe, and more directly in connec- 

 tion with the structures affected in sore shins. A heavy- 

 bodied animal, or one in gross condition, with light limbs, 

 suffers very readily. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms are pretty plain in the 

 majority of cases, but sometimes a case is met with that is 

 very puzzling. It is astonishing how many different forms 

 of lameness this trouble will give rise to. The inflammation 

 may be in connection with the lower, middle, or upper 

 third of the metacarpal bone, or the whole of the parts 

 mentioned may be inflamed simultaneously ; and in a few 

 cases the radius may be affected, or the inflammation may 

 be situated close to the knee, or may even exist in connec- 

 tion with the carpus itself. Usually the first symptom 

 noticed is lameness. The animal has had his work, has 

 been cooled out, and is noticed to be slightly lame. A 

 bandage is applied, and the lameness disappears. Such a 

 symptom is to be regarded as premonitory of sore shins ; 

 still, the real trouble may not as yet be suspected. How- 

 ever, before long it becomes more apparent. The animal 

 on being trotted out moves rather stiffly, and the stiffness is 

 seen to be more particularly in connection with the affected 



