232 DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 



rest, either in the pasture or loose box. In some 

 few eases which did not get over their lameness I 

 have fired a second time. This should not be done 

 inside of one year. 



Curb. — This is an injury or sprain to the cal- 

 caneocuboid ligament. This is an elastic liga- 

 ment which extends from the back part of the 

 point of the hock to the head of the canon bone. 

 This elastic ligament is placed there to strengthen 

 the hock joint, and is very liable to strains, espe- 

 cially holding back heavy loads going down hill, 

 or backing up heavy loads, or the hind legs slip- 

 ping too far under the animal. It is caused by 

 kicks or by the whiffietrees striking against it. 

 Some horses have what is called curby hocks. 

 That is, the back part of the hocks round out. This 

 must be distinguished from curb. When the en- 

 largement is on the belly of the tendon it is much 

 easier removed than when it is on the part where 

 the tendon is attached to the bone. The reason of 

 this is that when it is injured in this part the bone 

 is likely to be injured also, and instead of having a 

 soft bunch there will be a hard, bony one. In 

 treating curb this has to be taken into considera- 

 tion. Curb often causes lameness when it first 

 comes on, and there may be considerable inflam- 

 mation in the surrounding parts, causing swelling. 

 There are other cases which do not cause lame- 

 ness. 



Treatment: In the cases where there is inflam- 

 mation, keep the animal in the stable, and put on 

 a high-heeled shoe. This will raise the heel and 



