236 The Care of Animals 



so afflicted is commonly said to be "stifled." In this 

 condition the stifle -bone slips to the outside of the 

 stifle-joint, and the horse is unable to move the hind 

 leg to any extent, especially in bringing it forward. 



The causes of this trouble are external violence, 

 especially slipping when the animal is getting up in 

 the stable. It most frequently affects loose -jointed 

 colts that are pastured on hilly or gravelly pastures. 

 A "stifled" animal can scarcely move. The hind leg 

 on the affected side usually stands backward with the 

 toe resting on the ground, the animal being unable 

 to bring it forward. The muscles of the leg seem to 

 be cramped and slightly swollen. There is a lump or 

 swelling on the outside and a little below the stifle- 

 joint. If the animal is forced to move, it goes on three 

 legs, dragging the injured leg. 



The treatment consists in replacing the stifle -bone 

 and keeping it in its normal position. Sometimes a 

 sudden movement on the part of the animal, such as 

 would follow a sharp cut with the whip, will cause 

 the bone to slip back into place of its own accord. 

 The better method is to fasten a rope or strap around 

 the affected leg below the fetlock-joint, and while an 

 assistant draws the leg forward the operator pushes 

 the stifle -bone forward and inward, causing it to slip 

 into place with a ^vell- defined "cluck." The horse 

 should be kept standing for forty -eight hours, with 

 the affected leg kept well forward by tying the rope 

 or strap that is around the fetlock through the collar. 

 A sharp fly -blister should be placed on the outside of 

 the stifle-joint. The horse should be allowed gentle 



