LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 135 



Tendinitis. 

 Inflammation of the Flexor Tendons. 



One of the most eominon causes of lameness in light harness 

 and saddle horses is tendinitis, and because of the character of 

 the structure of tendons and because of their function, an active 

 inflammation of these parts is always serious. 



Being almost inelastic and not well supplied with blood, ten- 

 dinous tissue is slowly regenerated, and .so much time is required 

 for complete recovery to take place in tendinitis, that affected 

 animals seldom fully recover before they are in service or vig- 

 orously exercising at will. As a result, complete recovery is de- 

 layed or prevented. 



The extensor tendons, because of the nature of their function, 

 are very seldom strained ; they are often bruised and occasionally 

 divided, but unlike this condition in the flexors, tendinitis of 

 the extensors is of rare occurrence. 



For a concise discussion of this subject the most practical 

 classification is one made on a chronological basis and we may 

 then consider tendinitis as acute and chronic. 



ACUTE TENDINITIS. 



Etiology and Occurrence. — Causes of tendinitis, as in almost 

 all diseases, may be considered under the heads of predisposing 

 and exciting. Among the predisposing causes of tendinitis may 

 be mentioned, faulty conformation. Everything which has to 

 do with increasing the strain upon tendons adds to the proba- 

 bility of their being over-taxed. Long, sloping, pastern bones; 

 disproportionate development of parts, such as a heavy body 

 and small, weak tendons and long hoofs, are the principal fac- 

 tors which usually predispose to tendinous sprains. Degenera- 

 tive changes which take place in tendons following constitu- 

 tional diseases such as influenza may also be classed as a predis- 

 posing cause. 



Excessive strain when put upon tendons in any possible man- 

 ner, such as is occasioned in running and jumping; making mis- 

 steps and catching up the weight of the body with one foot, when 

 the force thus thrown upon the supporting structure is great 



