190 THE HORSE 



Open Joint 

 The capsular ligament of a joint is sometimes pene- 

 trated, and this leads to a condition technically known 

 as open joint. The joint most frequently injured in this 

 manner is the hock. At the time of injury, infection with 

 pus organisms usually occurs, so that a septic arthritis is 

 set up, and this causes the animal acute sufferings The 

 hock joint swells and synovia (joint-oil) can be seen 

 issuing from the wound. In addition to the swelling and 

 the discharge of synovia, the animal is unable to bear 

 m.uch weight on the limbs ; in fact, the trouble causes 

 so much pain that the horse avoids putting any weight at 

 all upon it, the limb being in a semi-fiexed position. 

 Cases of this nature are usually hopeless, but they are 

 more hopeful when at the fetlock joint. Sometimes the 

 knee is the seat of the trouble. Supposing that recovery 

 does occur at either the knee or hock joint, permanent 

 stiffening is a common result of the injury. In any case, 

 professional assistance should be sought and the advice 

 tendered acted upon. 



Bursal Enlargements or Wind-galls 

 Joints and tendons have usually lubricating pouches 

 and sheaths to promote the free play of the tendons and 

 joints. These structures are quite commonly the seat of 

 chronic irritation, and the result is the production of a 

 soft fluctuating swelling, free from pain on manipulation, 

 and usually unaccompanied by any degree of heat or 

 tenderness, unless the disease exists as an acute syno- 

 vitis. (See also Open Joint.) The pneumatic character 

 of the swellings has conferred upon them the title " wind- 

 galls," and the majority of horsemen are familiar with 

 them under this name.* If a young horse is subjected to 

 abuse, instead of proper use, it will very soon disclose on 

 manipulation a puffy feeling about the joints, more par- 



* Bog-spavin. 



