SPRAIN OF THE BACK-SINEWS. 2G9 



is used. The inflammation being removed, the enlargement considerably subsides, 

 and in many cases becomes quite absorbed.* 



The inside of the leg, immediately under the knee, and extending to the head of the 

 inner splint-bone, is subject to injury from what is termed the speedy cut. A horse 

 with high action, and in the fast trot, violently strikes this part, either with his hoof 

 or the edge of the shoe. Sometimes bony enlargement is the result ; at others, great 

 heat and tenderness ; and the pain from the blow seems occasionally to be so great, 

 that the horse drops as if he were shot. The only remedy is to take care that no part 

 of the shoe projects beyond the foot"; and to let the inner side of the shoe — except the 

 country is very deep, or the horse used for hunting — have but one nail, and that near 

 the toe. This part of the hoof, being unfettered with nails, will expand when it 

 comes in contact with the ground, and contract when in air and relieved from the 

 pressure of the weight of the body ; and, although this contraction is to no great 

 extent, it will be sufficient to carry the foot harmlessly by the leg. Care should like- 

 wise be taken that the shoe is of equal thickness at the heel and the toe, and that the 

 bearing is equal on both sides. 



Immediately under the knee, is one of those ligamentous rings by which the ten- 

 dons are so usefully bound, down and secured; but if the hinder bone of the knee, the 

 trapezium, described at p. 266, is not sufficiently prominent, this ring will confine the 

 flexor tendons of the foot too tightly, and the leg will be very deficient in depth under 

 the knee. This is called being tied in below the knee {b, p. 277). Every horseman 

 recognises it as a most serious defect. It is scarcely compatible with speed, and 

 most assuredly not with continuance. Such a horse cannot be ridden far and fast, 

 without serious sprain of the back sinews. The reason is plain. The pressure of the 

 ring will produce a degree of friction inconsistent with the free action of the tendons; 

 more force must, therefore, be exerted in every act of progression ; and although the 

 muscles are powerful, and sufficiently so for every ordinary purpose, the repetition of 

 this extra exertion will tire and strain them. 



A more serious evil, however, remains to be stated. When the back sinews, or 

 tendons, are thus tied down, they are placed in a more oblique direction, and in which 

 the power of the muscles is exerted with greater disadvantage. A greater degree of 

 exertion is required, and fatigue and sprain will not unfrequently result. There are 

 few more serious defects than this tying-in of the tendons immediately below the 

 knee. The fore-leg may be narrow in front, but it must be deep at the side, in order 

 to render the horse valuable ; for then only will the tendons have free action, and the 

 muscular force be exerted in the most advantageous direction. There are few good 

 race-horses whose legs are not deep below the knee. If there are exceptions, it is 

 because their exertion, although violent, is but of short continuance. The race is 

 decided in a few minutes, and, during that short period, the spirit and energy of the 

 animal may successfully struggle with the disadvantages of form : but where great 

 and long-continued exertion is required, as in the hunter or the hackney, no strength 

 can long contend with a palpably disadvantageous misapplication of muscular power. 



As they descend the back part of the leg, the tendons of the perforated and per- 

 forating flexor muscles should be far and distinctly apart from the shank-bone. There 

 should be space free from thickening for the finger and thumb on either side to be 

 introduced between them and the bone, and that extending from the knee to the fet- 

 lock. In a perfect leg, and towards its lower part, there should be three distinct and 

 perfect projections visible to the eye, as well as perceptible by the finger — the sides 

 of the shank-bone being the most forward of the three ; next, t]^e suspensory liga- 

 ment; and '.indermost of all, the flexor tendons. When these are not to be distinctly 

 seen or felt, or there is considerable thickening about them and between them (rf, p. 

 377), and the leg is round instead of flat and deep, there has been what is commonly, 

 but improperlj', called 



SPRAIN OF THE BACK-SINEWS. 



These tendons are enclosed in a sheath of dense cellular substance, in order to con- 

 fine them in their situation, and to defend them from injury. Between the tendon and 

 tne sheath, there is a mucous fluid to prevent friction; but when the horse has been 

 over-worked, or put to sudden or violent exertion, the tendon presses upon the delicate 



Vide Veterinarian, vol. viii. n. 5(>4. 

 23* 



