LAMENESS IN THE HORSE 97 



very frequent causes of lameness in the horse, and these 

 injuries are commonly accompanied by increased heat, 

 pain on manipulation, swelHng ; but any or all of the 

 foregoing may be absent. For a description of the dis- 

 eases referred to the reader must turn to the chapters 

 dealing with these affections. If lameness is severe it 

 is usually accompanied by a certain amount of consti- 

 tutional disturbance such as loss of appetite, uneasiness, 

 and so forth. In every case of lameness the first principle 

 of treatment comprises rest in the stable for a few days, or, 

 if necessary, it may be for weeks. When lameness is 

 likely to be prolonged as in many cases of spavin and 

 ring-bone it is a very good plan to keep the animal in a 

 loose box. Many horse owners under these circumstances 

 turn the animal out at pasture for a few months. The 

 adoption of this plan is, in the author's opinion, indiscreet, 

 as the exercise hinders repair of whatever structures are 

 damaged. In concluding the remarks on lameness we 

 must not forget to add that the horse owners will find it 

 the most economical to call in a veterinary surgeon, as 

 expert knowledge is most certainly necessary because 

 sometimes " apparently " trifling injuries are followed by 

 the most untoward results. 



