85 I CONTRACTED TENDONS IN FOALS. 



limb after a few days ; the bandage should then be removed, because 

 the weighl of the body acting through the oblique position of the 

 pastern will produce further extension of the tendons, and is quite 

 sufficient to prevent contraction. In all cases attention should be 

 paid to the hoofs, and if necessary the heels should be lowered. 

 FriebeFs extension apparatus (Fig. 487) appears very practical. 

 It consists of a small leather shoe, provided in front with a well- 

 padded iron splint. By means of a screw the splint can be so fixed 

 as to exercise pressure on the anterior surface of the fetlock-joint 

 and thrust the latter backwards, i.e., into its normal position. 



Eassie saw " knuckling " in all four limbs in a five months old 

 foal. In front the disease was cured by tenotomy, behind by 

 proper shoeing. Tenotomy cannot be recommended for knuckling 

 in foals, the results being often disastrous, but sometimes it is per- 

 formed to arrest the progress of sloughing-sores on the front of the 

 fetlock or pastern caused by contact with the ground. Ostertag 

 cured congenital contraction of the tendons in a foal in four weeks 

 by applying a wooden splint and plaster bandages, which were changed 

 several times. As the dressing accommodates itself to the gradually 

 improving position of the fetlock, Ostertag considers it necessary 

 to change it two or three times. Hofer had a gutter-shaped splint 

 made from pine wood which reached to the fetlock ; he states having 

 seen recovery occur in one to three weeks. 



" Knuckling," which sets in two years or so after birth, even when 

 unaccompanied by inflammatory disease of the tendon, can seldom 

 be so completely removed as to restore the animal's working powers. 

 Trager, however, states having cured cases by section of the perforans 

 and perforates tendons. 



Eichbaum suggested the use of a long-toed shoe ; Bombach, 

 who regarded the disease as a secondary matter resulting from up- 

 rightness of the hoof, cured it by freely lowering the heels. Matz 

 applied blisters and recommended turning the animal out. 



Brunet used a peculiar extension apparatus, which started from 

 the shoe and exercised pressure on the front of the knee-joint. 

 Experience shows that treatment should depend on the degree of 

 displacement ; when slight, it is sufficient to freely lower the heels, 

 but should this be unsuccessful, a long-toed shoe may be used. If 

 needful, tenotomy can be performed, it being sometimes sufficient 

 to divide the flexor perforans. Tenotomy is, however, seldom 

 necessary, and can only be recommended as a last resort. 



