194 THE HORSE 



can be supplemented by manipulation with the hand, 

 comparing the two hocks by the sense of touch. Both 

 firing and blistering are resorted to for spavin, but they 

 are of doubtful efficacy. If the owner has reason to 

 suspect that a spavin is forming, he should immediately 

 throw the animal off work and keep it in a stall, as rest 

 is of primary importance. Anything from a few days to 

 several months are sometimes required to assist Nature 

 in repairing the part. Bone-spavin always represents un- 

 soundness, whether detected or undetected, and whether 

 the animal is lame or not lame. A good deal of circum- 

 spection is requisite with the expert in deciding as to 

 whether he will or will not advise purchase of the animal. 



Sprained Tendons and Ligaments 



Both tendons and ligaments are very liable to be over- 

 stretched or strained, and some of the fibres entering into 

 their structure are torn or ruptured as the result of over- 

 extension. Ligaments in connection with joints and 

 tendons and tendinous prolongation of the muscles may 

 all be damaged in this manner, and the result is lameness, 

 owing to the pain brought on through the injury. In a 

 recent sprain the part is usually hotter than normally ; 

 it is swollen ; causes additional pain when manipulated, 

 and very often a certain amount of constitutional dis- 

 turbance. The tendons at the back of the limbs are very 

 often sprained, particularly in horses which are required 

 for speed. In chronic sprain of a tendon the sprained 

 part remains permanently thickened, and this in its turn 

 sometimes causes the animal to go on its toe. This is 

 frequently observed in one or both hind limbs, but it is by 

 no means uncommon in front. Treatment comprises 

 rest and the application of bandages, along with either 

 hot or cold fomentations, in accordance with the time 

 the sprain has existed. For the first twenty-four hours 

 cold compresses are the best, and after this hot-water 



