120 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



tion that is common and in a practical way, good, is, high and 

 low ringbone. When prognosis is considered, for instance, it is 

 very convenient to state that the chances for recovery are much 

 better in high ringbone than in low ringbone. The classification 

 of ]\Ioller will be followed here. 



Symptomatology. — In all forms of incipient ringbone except 

 rachitic, the first manifestation of its existence, or of injury to 

 the ligaments in the region of the pastern joint which causes 



Fig. 17 — Phalangeal exostoses. 



periostitis, or affections of the articular portions of the proximal 

 inter-phalangeal joint, is lameness. Lameness which typifies 

 ringbone is of the supporting-leg variety and by compelling the 

 subject to step from side to side, marked flinching is observed, 

 especially in periarticular ringbone; causing the affected animal 

 to turn abruptly on the diseased member, using it as a pivot, 

 likewise accentuates the manifestation. In fact, many subjects 

 that exhibit no evidence of locomotory impediment while walking 

 or trotting in a straight line on a smooth road surface, will mani- 

 fest the characteristic form of lameness from ringbone when the 

 aforementioned side to side movement is performed. 



