Rapture of the Tendons of the New- Born Foal 827 



tremely long legs of the foal lead to an inordinate strain 

 upon the extensor pedis longus muscle. The rupture, as 

 shown in Fig. 237, occurs at the point of union between the 

 tendon and the belly of the muscle. In this respect it differs 

 markedly from the ruptures of muscles and tendons com- 

 monly observed. 



The clinical evidences of a rupture rests in the early stages 

 upon the difficulty or inability of the foal to get up or to walk 

 because of the want of power to extend the carpus. If the 

 character of the lesion is suspected, the diagnosis is to be 

 verified by carefully palpating over the anterior face of the 

 lower third of the radius, from 1 to 2 in Fig. 237, which re- 

 veals an empty groove normally occupied by the base of the 

 tendon, 2. The free end of the tendon is also palpable, freely 

 movable in its sheath at the upper part of the carpus. In 

 those animals which survive, reunion between the muscle 

 and tendon does not occur and the empty groove is perma- 

 nent. The foot must then be advanced by the accessory ex- 

 tensor of the metacarpus. This results in a peculiar gait, 

 the foot being abducted in the stride and carried forward 

 with a jerky flail-like motion. 



The prognosis is exceedingly unfavorable. Although 

 some cases live, their locomotion is interfered with by the 

 absence of the extensor pedis longus muscles, and the value 

 of the animals is consequently greatly lessened except for 

 slow work. For driving or riding they would inevitably 

 prove insecure upon their feet. For any fashionable use, 

 their peculiarity of action would render them unsuitable. 



The handling of the malady is uncertain, and apparently 

 there is little to do beyond taking good care of the animal 

 and aiding it in getting upon its feet in order to suck. While 

 the foal is sucking, an assistant should grasp it by the knees, 

 and, pushing backward, prevent their flexion, thereby as- 

 sisting it in standing. Unless the foal is of considerable 

 value, it is advisable in most instances to destroy it at once. 



