256 PARTICULAR LAMENESSES. 



composed of tendinous fibres, and long-continued inflammation 

 of tendons usually ends in their ossification. 



The causes, like those of the next variety, are generally due 

 to the horse being worked at the plough, and on the off side, 

 by which his limbs and shoulders are thrown into an irregu- 

 larity of position; that is to say, one foot is placed in the 

 furrow, and the other on the land. One shoulder is thus in a 

 lower position than its fellow, an extra amount of weight being 

 at the same time thrown upon it, so that in the course of time 

 its structures become diseased. 



Sprain of the flexor brachii from the above cause is confined 

 generally to the off side, and this can be easily understood from 

 the extra w^ork it has to perform in elevating the foot which is 

 in the furrow to the level of that which is on the land. Plough- 

 ing is not the only cause of this form of lameness ; but a horse 

 that has been sprained in this tendon is seldom fit for the plough 

 ao-ain. He may work on the road well enough ; but as soon as 

 he is put in the plough the lameness returns. In some instances 

 rheumatism becomes localised in the flexor brachii, and is a cause 

 of intermitting lameness. 



In the treatment of both shoulder-joint and flexor brachii 

 lameness, great advantage is derived from the application of the 

 hif^h-heeled shoe. This enables the horse, while standing, to 

 have the diseased structures in a state of relaxation and repose. 



" SHOULDER-SLIP. 



By this is meant that peculiar outward slipping movement 

 of the shoulder-joint at each step the animal takes when the 

 foot of the lame limb is upon the ground, the opposite one 

 elevated from it, and when the weight of the horse is thus thrown 

 upon the lame side. 



It would appear almost as if the shoulder were out of joint, 

 hence the term " shoulder-slip ;" but such is not the case, as the 

 following observations will explain. 



The scapula and humerus are not bound together by lateral 

 or binding ligaments, as is the case with other joints, the 

 movements between them being so varied and extensive, that 

 inelastic ligaments would not allow them to be performed. 

 They are consequently bound together by muscles, which 



