CURB. 315 



of a long OS calcis, it will be understood that the ligaments 

 which bind it down are much more liable to sprain when 

 it is long than when it is short. The form of hock the 

 reverse of that liable to thorough-pin is the one predisposed 

 to curb. 



An aged horse, when suffering from curb lameness, is gene- 

 rally sound again in a few weeks ; but if the patient be a 

 young horse whose bones are not fully consolidated, it takes a 

 much longer time before the parts are restored ; and if such an 

 one be put to work before they are thoroughly repaired and 

 strengthened, lameness will in all probability recur. Curb 

 lameness does not depend upon the magnitude of the enlarge- 

 ment, some very large curbs causing little or no lameness, and 

 some small ones proving a source of very severe lameness. 

 Curb lameness is characterised by difficulty in extending the 

 hock, and in some very severe cases by that condition of the 

 tendo-achilles already described, the limb being elevated, and 

 the tendo-achilles remaining in a state of relaxation. This arises 

 from the animal avoiding to exercise muscular force on the os 

 calcis, and endeavouring to mitigate pain. 



Horses liable to curb should be shod with a shoe high in 

 the heel, and care should be taken that it be not allowed to 

 wear too low, else lameness is almost sure to recur. Cart-horses 

 with curbs should not be shod with high toe-pieces, or the 

 increased resistance to the action of the muscles upon the calcis 

 will cause lameness. 



Whether a curb be an unsoundness or not must be left 

 to the practitioner; legally it is so, but in reality an old 

 curb, unaccompanied by heat of the part, and causing no 

 lameness, does not generally interfere with the usefulness of 

 the animal. 



In some parts of the country young animals are fired to 

 strengthen the hocks, and prevent curb and spavin. Such cases, 

 when they come before the veterinary surgeon for examination 

 as to soundness, have a suspicious look about them, but if the 

 hocks are good and the action sound, the marks of the cautery 

 are no indication of unsoundness. 



This practice of firing to prevent disease is most cruel and 

 useless. It cannot be too strongly condemned; and Martin's 

 Act should be applied to every one guilty of such barbarity. 



