i88 THE HORSE 



to discover their existence. It must be borne in mind that 

 there is a natural tendency for the interosseous hgament 

 between the sphnt-bones and the large cannon-bone to 

 undergo transformation in the bone. It is Nature's way 

 and nothing can deflect it. In obscure cases of lameness in 

 the fore limbs it is always advisable to make a critical 

 examination at the back of the leg, from the knee to the 

 fetlock, as the author, and doubtless others, has occa- 

 sionally found one or more minute splinty deposits below 

 the knee, or in some portion of the back of the cannon 

 bone. Sometimes the splinty deposit is on the front of 

 the bone, sometimes on its outer side, but in the majority 

 of instances it is on the inner side, as everything favours 

 its development in the situation referred to. The size of 

 the splint bears no relationship to the existence of lame- 

 ness. Under ordinary circumstances lameness, if present, 

 usually occurs during the time the splint is forming, i.e. 

 when the bone and bone skin are inflamed and Nature is 

 endeavouring to repair the damaged part, the splint being, 

 as previously stated, the product of inflammatory action ; 

 but the unfortunate part about it is that it does not 

 appear requisite, but it is reasonable to assume that 

 Nature knows her own requirements. Probably 60 or 

 70 per cent of saddle and harness horses have splint and 

 yet never show the slightest sign of lameness. The 

 position of the sphnt and the age of the animal are the 

 best guides. Any kind of injury is capable of producing 

 splint. It is a well-known fact that a spHnt will sometimes 

 disappear, owing to reabsorption of it, and this is the 

 object of blistering and firing. 



Ring-bone 



The term ring-bone is apphed to a deposit of new bone 

 on the long pastern, or else around the coronet (short 

 pastern). It consists of a varia.ble degree of inflammation 

 of the bone and bone skin {ostitis and periostitis) of the 



