DISEASES OF BONES 189 



long and short pastern bones, and may end in anchylosis 

 of the joints in these regions. It is called ring-bone 

 because the new bony formation has often a ringlike 

 contour, but not always. All classes of horses are 

 liable to it and at any age, but light draught and heavy 

 draught horses are more frequently troubled with ring- 

 bone than riders and roadsters. The deposit of new bone, 

 like splint, represents the product of inflammatory action, 

 and it is Nature's method of repairing a damaged part. 

 The new bone, however, commonly leads to the produc- 

 tion of lameness of a very obstinate character, and treat- 

 ment of any kind is, in the author's experience, of little 

 or no practical value v/hatever. It is quite probable 

 that this arthritis, either in its chronic or acute state, is 

 largely attributable to hereditary influence, as it is so 

 very common amongst heavy draught horses. Manipula- 

 tion of the pastern joint or from the fetlock to the pastern, 

 during an experience of thirty-five years, especially 

 amongst heavy draught horses, has satisfied the author 

 how extremely common this trouble is. Not uncommonly 

 the joint is obhterated and the growth of new bone 

 sufhciently extensive to impair the integrity and func- 

 tional powers of all structures in juxtaposition to it. 

 One or both pasterns, either fore or aft, may be the seat 

 of the trouble, which is very common in the fore limbs. 

 A horse may have a large ring-bone and travel perfectly 

 sound, or it may have a smaU one and be persistently lame. 

 Ring-bone lameness varies considerably, and a horse 

 apparently sound one day may subsequently become 

 very lame on the following one. The effects of rest 

 should always be tried. Work on soft ground is best 

 for them, hence many ring-boned horses which have 

 been going very lame in town will continue to do good 

 work on the land for many years. 



