THE FETLOCK. — GROGGIXESS. 37b 



joint to injuiy and strain ; and also tlie liability to sprain of tlac back 

 ■sinews from tlie increased action and play of the flexor tendons ; and 

 likewise to injui'ies of the pastern-joints, for the ligaments Avill be weak in 

 proportion to their length. The long and slanting pastern is advan- 

 tageous in the race-horse, from the elasticity of action and greater extent 

 of stride by which it is accompanied. A less degree of it is given in the 

 hunter, Avho is to unite continuance of exertion with ease of pace. For 

 the hackney there should be sufiicient obliquity to give pleasantness of 

 going, but not enough to endanger continuance and strength. Experience 

 among horses will alone point out the most advantageous direction of the 

 pastern for the purpose required ; but the slightest observation will show 

 the necessity of considerable variety in the structure of this part. Let 

 the reader imagine the heavy di-ay-horse with his short and upright 

 pasterns contending in the race ; or the race-horse with his long and weak 

 pasterns, endeavouring to dig his toe into the ground in order to move 

 some hea^y weight. The concussion which attends the common action of 

 the cart-horse is little because his movements arc slow, and therefore the 

 upright and strong pastern is given to him, which he can force into the 

 ground, and on which he can thi^ow the whole of his immense weight. 

 The oblique pastern is given to the race-horse because that alone is com- 

 patible with extent of stride and great speed. Except a horse for general 

 purposes, and particularly for riding is very hardly used, a little too much 

 obliquity is a far less evil than a pastern too upright. While the jolting 

 of the upright pastern is an insufferable nuisance to the rider, it is 

 injurious and most unsafe to the horse, and produces many diseases in the 

 feet and legs, and particularly ringbone, ossification of the cartilages, and 

 contracted feet. 



THE FETLOCK. 



The fetlock-joint is a very compHcated one, and from the stress which is 

 laid on it, and its being the principal scat of motion below the knee, it is 

 particularly subject to injury. There are not many cases of sprain of the 

 back sinew that are not accompanied by inflammation of the ligaments of 

 this joint ; and numerous supposed cases of sprain higher up are simple 

 affections of the fetlock. It requires a gi-eat deal of care, and some 

 experience, to distinguish the one from the other. The heat about the 

 part, and the point at which the horse least endures the pressure of the 

 finger, will be the principal guides. Occasionally, by the application of 

 cooling lotions the inflammation may be subdued, but, at other times, the 

 horse suffers dreadfully, and is unable to stand. A serious aff'ection of the 

 fetlock-joint demands treatment more prompt and severe than that of the 

 sheaths of the tendons. 



GKOGGINESS. 



The peculiar knuckling of the fetlock -joint, and the tottering of the whole 

 of the fore-leg, known by the name of grogginess, and which is so often 

 seen in old and over-worked horses, is seldom an afiection of either the 

 fetlock or the pastern-joints simply. Indeed it is not difficult to fix on the 

 particular joint ; it is that which is deep in the foot, and where the flexor 

 tendon runs over the navicular bone. ^Ylien disease attacks these tissues, 

 as the fearful number of cases of na\ncular disease proves to be so often 

 the case, the horse, to avoid thi-owing a portion of his weight on the flexor 

 tendon, which in a healthy state is so well able to receive it, goes as much 

 as possible on his toes, steps short and lightly, producing that appearance 

 of unsteadiness to which the term is applied. It may be combined with a 

 want of power in the ligaments of the joints generally, prodiTccd by 



