LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 143 



Contracted Tendons of Foals. 



Etiology and Occurrence. — This condition is occasionally ob- 

 served aiul no positive explanation of the reason for its exist- 

 ence can be given. That mal-position en utcro causes the meta- 

 carpal bones to develop in length so rapidly that the tendons 

 are too short, is an explanation that is offered. Be that as it 

 may, in breeding sections of the country the general practitioner 

 is obliged to handle these cases and successful methods of treat- 

 ment are essential even though cause is not removable. 



Symptomatology. — The superficial flexor tendon (perforatus) 

 alone, is the one usually contracted, and while both flexors are 

 at times involved, this rarely occurs. The condition is usually 

 bilateral. 



The degree of contraction varies greatly in different cases. 

 In some, contraction exists to such extent that it is impossi])le 

 for the colt to stand, and because of continual decubitus where 

 no relief is given, the subject is lost because of gangrenous in- 

 fection occasioned by bed sores. Otherwise the same symptoms 

 are to be observed in this condition, that exist in contraction of 

 tendons of the mature animal. 



Treatment. — "Wherever contraction is not too marked and 

 weight is borne with the affected members, and where the feet 

 can be kept on the ground in a nearly normal position, it is pos- 

 sible to correct the condition without doing tenotomy. That is, 

 in cases where the subject is simply "coek-ankled", where volar 

 flexion of the pastern joint exists but the foot is kept flat on the 

 ground, correction is possible without tenotomy. 



In such instances the foal must be treated early — before the 

 skin on the anterior pastern region has been badly damaged by 

 knuckling over. It is possible in many cases to stretch the flexor 

 tendons by grasping the colt's foot with one hand, and with the 

 other hand one may push the pastern in the direction of dorsal 

 flexion. This may be tried and when a reasonable amount of 

 force is employed, no harm is done, even though no material 

 benefit results. Some veterinarians claim good results from this 

 treatment alone and direct their clients to repeat the stretching 

 process several times daily. 



