HUNTERS 



nevertheless, not being a normal condition, the 

 one is a sound horse and the other not. 



SPRAIN OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS 



Sprains or strains of the flexor tendons in 

 both the fore and hind limbs are exceedingly 

 common in hunters, and when such do occur, it 

 necessitates a variable period of rest, may be a 

 few days or a few weeks, much depending on 

 the severity of the sprain and the reparative 

 power of the tendons. As a rule a sprain 

 occurs between the knee and the fetlock, or 

 between the point of the hock and fetlock. 

 Lameness, increased heat, swelling, and pain 

 on manipulation may be accepted as the 

 cardinal signs of both tendinous and ligamen- 

 tous strain. When a sprain has been in ex- 

 istence for any length of time, or the injuries 

 have been of a recurrent nature, there is a 

 distinct tendency on the part of the injured 

 ligament, or tendon, to become thicker and 

 shorter, than when in its normal condition. 

 Rest is the principal factor when dealing with 

 injuries of this kind, and for the first twenty- 



i6o 



