A SPRAIN OB STRAIN. 



201 



nating on either side of the os corona^ and on the side of the 

 pyramid of the os pedis. It is usually seen in race horses and 

 hunters. 



Treatment. — Rest, fomentations, bandages, and finally blis- 

 ters. The animal should have a long rest. If put to work too 

 soon, rupture of the ligament is apt to occur. 



RUPTURE OF THE SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT. 



Eupture of the suspensory ligament, or breakdown, as it is 

 commonly called. This injury is a very serious one, but with a 

 long rest and proper treatment a horse so injured may become 

 ■sufficiently sound to per- 

 form moderate work. Yet 

 there is always a weak- 

 ness left which constitutes 

 unsoundness. They can 

 never be made fit for fast 

 work again. Breakdown is 

 common on the hard tracks 

 of this continent. It rarely 

 occurs on the soft and yield- 

 ing turf of England. 



Symptoms. — If one of the 

 branches only is ruptured, 

 there will be slight swelling 

 and lameness. The animal 



will stand or walk on the toe. This lameness may oe removed by 

 cold water and liniments, but when the animal is afterwards put 

 to a severe test he may break completely down. The fetlock then 

 descends, the toe turns up, and there will be heat, pain and 

 swelling. 



Treatment. — A long rest, cold and hot applications, accord- 

 ing to the season of the year, and finally blisters should be used. 

 Firm pledgets of tow, placed in the hollow of the heel to sup- 

 port the fetlock, should be used. Ilie tow should be made into 



Fig. 46 — Partial Breakdown. 



