CONTRACTED TENDONS IN FOALS 143 



Treatment.— Only in those cases where the 

 colt was lively and energetic have I ever been 

 successful in my treatment of them. When the 

 animal is young the ligaments and tendons will 

 stretch a long way if the limbs can be brought 

 into position so the animal can use them. 



In the hind leg, it is comparatively easy, pro- 

 vided the flexors are not too short. I make a bar 

 shoe exactly the size of the foot with a projection 

 coming straight forward about three inches, then 

 turning it up to form a brace to which the limb is 

 strapped. The fetlock joint forms an admirable 

 fulcrum for the brace, and every time the ani- 

 mal stands up it stretches the tendon, which soon 

 allows the foot to assume its natural position. If 

 there is too much contraction section of the per- 

 f orans has to be performed. 



In the front leg, treatment is more difficult, be- 

 cause all joints flex in one direction. I make a 

 bar shoe exactly the size of the foot with a forked 

 projection in front extending from two to four 

 inches. If the joint is weak and inclined to break 

 over outward, it may be necessary to weld on a 

 spur on the outside of the shoe. It is necessary 



