152 



Symptoms. — When this is the character of the lame- 

 ness, it may be easily known by the manner in which the 

 animal progresses. He usually drags his toe, and throws 

 the leg outw^ard at every step. 



Treatment. — In this instance is very unsatisfactory, 

 blisters, setons and firing have been tried in hundreds of 

 cases, without any permanent advantage, for the simple rea- 

 son that the cartilage is apt to be destroyed, and the under- 

 lying bone ulcerated. 



STRAINING OF THE BACK TENDONS 



Is one of the most common accidents affecting the horse, 

 and involves the perforans tendon and its check ligament. 

 In the large proportion of cases, the ligament is first affected 

 immediately above its insertion into the tendon. 



Symiptoms. — Pain, heat and lameness ensue, and if the 

 animal continue at work, other tendons and ligaments be- 

 come involved, and permanent thickening and shortening 

 of the limb ensue. 



Treatment. — Envelope the limb in a piece of horse-rug, 

 folded several times (or in any other woolen bandage capa- 

 ble of retaining a quantity of water), and saturate it every 

 hour with fresh supplies of hot water. Continue this until 

 all heat and tenderness are removed, and the creature ap- 

 pears to bear upon the limb, then substitute cold for hot 

 water, remove the bandage, and hand-rub the parts several 

 times daily. In addition to this, a laxative diet — no oats, 

 with small doses of medicine. 



STRAIN OF THE SUSPENSORY LIGAMENTS. 

 Cause. — This injury is mostly confined to fast horses, 

 such as trotters, racers and hunters. This class of animals 

 when put to rapid and severe exercise when too young, may 

 suddenly either sprain, rupture or tear the suspensory liga- 

 ment. When this latter happens it is called breaking down. 



