SWELLED LEGS. 393 



horse lias lils leg's not only tnrned moi'c outward, but bent more under liim, 

 arid this increases the distance between the point of the liock and the 

 tendons of the perforating mviscle. It increases the space which is usually 

 occupied by the thorough-pin. Then the point of the hock, moved by the 

 action of the muscles, is enabled to describe a greater portion of a circle ; 

 and in proportion to the increased space passed over by the point of the 

 hock, will the space traversed by the limb be increased, and so the stride 

 of the horse may be lengthened, and, thus far, his speed may be increased. 

 But this advantage is more than counterbalanced by many evils. This 

 increased contraction of the muscles is an expenditure of animal power ; 

 and, as ah-eady stated, the weight and the concussion being so unequally 

 distributed by this formation of the limbs, some part must be overstrained 

 and over-woi'ked, and injury must ensue. On this account it is that 

 the cow-hocked horse is more subject than others to thorough-pin and 

 spavin ; and is so disposed to curbs, that these hocks are denominated by 

 horsemen mrhij hocks. The mischief extends even farther than this. Such 

 a horse is peculiarly h'able to wind-gall, sprain of the fetlock, cutting, and 

 knuckhng. 



A slight inclination to this form in a sti'ong powerful horse may not be 

 very objectionable, but a horse decidedly cow-hocked should never bo 

 selected. 



SWELLED LEGS. 



The fore legs, but oftencr the hind ones, and especially in coarse horses, 

 are sonietimes subject to considerable enlargement. Occasionally, Avhen 

 the horse does not seem to labour under any other disease, and sometimes 

 from an apparent shifting of disease from other parts, the hind legs 

 suddenly swell to an enormous degree from the hock and almost from the 

 stifle to the fetlock, attended by a greater or less degree of heat, and 

 tenderness of the skin, and sometimes excessive and very peculiar lameness. 

 The pulse hkewse becomes quick and hard, and the horse e\adently 

 labours under considerable fever. It is acute inflammation of the cellular 

 substance of the legs, and that most sudden in its attack, and most \-iolent 

 in its degree, and therefore attended by the effusion of a considerable 

 quantity of fluid into the cellular membrane. It occurs in young horses, 

 especially those used for agricultural purposes, and in those ■which arc; 

 over-fed and httle exercised. Fomentation, diui'etics, or purgatives, or, 

 if there is much fever, a moderate bleeding from the foot, will often 

 relieve the distension almost as suddenly as it appeared. 



The kind of swelled legs most fi-equently occurring and most troublesome 

 is of a different nature, or rather it is most various in its kind and causes, 

 and consequences and mode of treatment. Sometimes the legs are filled, 

 but there is little lameness or inconvenience. At other times the limbs 

 are considerably gorged, and with a great degree of stiffness and pain. 

 Occasionally the horse is apparently well at night, but, on the following- 

 morning, one or both of the legs are tremendously swollen ; and on its 

 being touched, the horse catches it up suddenly, and nearly falls as he does 

 so. In these cases, fomentations witii flannels dipped and wning out of 

 hot water, for twenty minutes, or half an hour, will afford considerable 

 relief, and after each fomentation some mild stimulating liniment, with 

 the addition of a little tincture of opium, will prove beneficial. Many 

 horses, in seemingly perfect health, if suffered to remain several days 

 without exercise, will have swelled legs. If the case is neglected, ab- 

 scesses appear in various parts of the legs ; the heels are attacked by 

 grease, and, if proper measui'es are not adopted, the horse has an enlarged 

 leg: for life. 



