SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK JOINT. 473 



ground ; but the horse can flex his foot after he has raised 

 it, which is not the case when the flexor tendons or back 

 sinews themselves are torn through. A perfect cure is 

 very seldom obtained, but, as the horse may be made suffi- 

 ciently useful for some purposes, so it should always be 

 attempted, first by reducing the inflammation by the means 

 already indicated ; and this beginning to abate, the toe 

 should be somewhat flexed by the application of a high- 

 heeled shoe, to prevent the laceration of that intermediate 

 substance which will be thrown out to unite the ruptured 

 ligaments. A vulcanized india rubber bandage should also 

 be kept on afterwards, until all is firm and some strength 

 be gained. In other respects, the treatment is such as is 

 suited for sprains generally, which will be found fully 

 detailed under the head of Shoulder Sprain, &c. 



RUPTURE OF THE FLEXOR TENDON, OR BACK SINEW. 



This, as observed, is a very rare occurrence : it has, 

 however, happened from great violences committed : the 

 general treatment will be that which has been already 

 detailed, excepting that here it would be essential to flex 

 the whole limb from the stifle downward, and to keep it 

 constantly in that state for some long period ; which could 

 alone be effected by the use of proper splint apparatus. To 

 effect this harmlessly, the animal should have the splints 

 put on at the commencement of the injury, before pain and 

 inflammation has time to set it. The head should then be 

 tied up, until the horse is quite tired, when he will gene- 

 rally allow slings to be placed under him. In these he 

 must remain till the treatment is concluded. 



Crooked limb from this rupture, and sometimes also from 

 the former injuries, has taken place. To prevent this, in a 

 month, if all goes on well, the apparatus mentioned may 

 be removed, and a straight piece of iron gradually brought 

 forward from the toe ; this should be by degrees increased, 

 and worn till the cure is as perfect as the nature of the case 

 permits it to be made. 



SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK JOINT. 



A Sprain of the Fetlock Joint arises from some injury 

 done to the ligamentous and tendinous connexion of this 



