SPRAIN OF THE SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT. 2*27 



himself much loss in keep, expense in treatment, and 

 very probably ultimate disappointment. 



SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK JOINT. 



Fortunately this is a rare occurrence ; but, when it 

 does happen, it is a serious business, because of the 

 pain produced by the slightest action of the joint, of 

 the enduring character of the inflammation, and of 

 the bones being apt to enlarge, and to interfere with 

 the proper use of the foot. It may be generally 

 distinguished from sprain of the back si?iews, by the 

 heat and tenderness and enlargement being clearly 

 around the fetlock, and in a manner confined to it; 

 but occasionally the animal is slaughtered without the 

 fetlock joint even being examined or suspected. 



The mode of treatment is still the same. Fomen- 

 tations will be as effectual as in strains higher up ; 

 and these must in their turn give way to pressure and 

 cold water. Firing is never necessary ; but the horse 

 can seldom be safely returned to his work without an 

 active blister finishing the treatment. 



RUPTURE AND SPRAIN OF THE SUSPENSORY 

 LIGAMENT. 



At the back of the fetlock are two little irregularly- 

 shaped bones, attached to the joint, and forming part 

 of it; they are called the sessamoid bones. A liga- 

 ment, descending from the back of the knee as well as 

 the back of the hock, and descending behind the bone 

 of the leg, is, at the fetlock, attached to the upper part 

 of these bones, which it extends below and divides, 

 the extremities being ultimately inserted into the 



l 6 



