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This is a strong ligamentous band, fixed into the back 

 part of the knee, passing down behind the cannon bone, and 

 in front of the tendons, and attached to the pasterns and 

 foot below. While the animal is standing it supports the 

 fetlock. While in action it contributes to that springiness 

 of gait so noticeable in well-bred horses. 



Symptoms. — The lameness comes on gradually, and is 

 not so acute as in the case of sprain of the neighboring ten- 

 dons, but simple as it may seem, unless promptly treated, it 

 is apt to leave the parts weak, and liable to a second attack. 

 Rupture or tearing of the ligaments occasionally happens 

 while an animal is leaping, or galloping at an inordinate 

 rate ; it may either be partial or complete. This accident 

 is commonly named " breaking down." When this happens 

 the fetlock comes nearly to the ground, its flexor tendons 

 are also much strained, which considerably augments such a 

 severe injury. 



This accident generally occurs when an animal is at full 

 speed, and is confined chiefly to one leg, and rarely happens 

 in both legs at once. The horse stops instantly, or falls ; 

 on rising, he is seen to rest on his fetlocks, the toe turned 

 up, and the sole looking forward. It can be easily under- 

 stood that there accompanies this severe accident intense 

 pain, swelling and a high fever, the arteries pulsate with 

 great violence, while the creature is bathed is profuse per- 

 spiration. 



Treatment. — In the case of a slight sprain of the ten- 

 dons, as well as the suspensory ligament, the remedies are 

 very simple — it consists in rest, cold application continued 

 for several days — and when all inflammation has subsided 

 the application of mild blisters. Three months rest is essen- 

 tial in most cases to ensure a perfect cure. When the liga- 

 ment and neighboring parts are torn it is a most serious 

 business. In this instance the creature must be slung. 

 The treatment as in the former case is much the same — 

 cold application, persistently followed for at least ten days ; 



