CHAPTER XVI 



DISEASES OF THE FORE-LIMB 



Sprains and Injuries in the Region of the Shoulder. — 

 Sprains and injuries of the structures in the shoulder region are 

 more common in horses that are called on to do heavy work than 

 among driving horses. 



The following causes may he mentioned: Ill-fitting collars, 

 pulling heavy loads over uneven streets or soft ground, where the 

 footing is not secure, and slipping are common causes. Young- 

 horses that do not 

 know how to pull, or 

 horses that are tired 

 out by hard work, 

 are predisposed to 

 muscular strain, and 

 are apt to suffer in- 

 jury if forced to do 

 heavy work. Sore 

 shoulders, or an ig- 

 norant driver, may 

 cause the animal to 

 pull awkwardly and 



throw more strain on Fig. 31.— shoulder lameness. 



certain groups of muscles than they can stand. Eheumatism 

 frequently causes shoulder lameness. The muscle usually 

 affected by rheumatism is the large muscle extending from the 

 region of the point of the shoulder to the summit of the head. 



The symptoms of shoulder lameness vary in the different 

 cases. The horse may walk without going lame, but when made 

 to trot lameness is quite noticeable. The animal may point with 

 the foot of the diseased limb, holding it forward, but squarely 



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