28 HORSES. 



In reading the directions fop treatment that follow, 

 it should be borne in mind that, in case of 



A VERY SEVERE SPRAIN WITH MUCH HEAT, 



it is advisable to commence by letting a stream of 

 cold water play on the limb for ten minutes three or 

 more times a day, until the inflammatory symptoms 

 have subsided. A cold-water bandage may be used, 

 and this should be changed as may be necessary. 

 When the inflammation is reduced, the Embrocation 

 should be rubbed in with the hand for ten minutes 

 three times a day, and the limb bound with a cold- 

 water bandage. The cold-water bandage will cause 

 the Embrocation to act as a very slight blister, which 

 will reduce the thickening or enlargement; after a 

 day or two, when a slight scurf is raised, substitute 

 a dry bandage for the wet one. 



In case of a severe sprain where the horse shows 

 a disposition to walk on the toe of the lame limb, a 

 high-heeled shoe may be put on so as to remove all 

 tension from the ligaments and tendons. 



SPRAIN OF THE BACK TENDONS, 



This is one of the commonest of the causes of lameness in 

 horses, and is most frequent in hunters, though common enough 

 to all classes. The concussion of landing over a jump puts the 

 strain. on, which gives rise to injury of these tendons. Race- 

 horses also break down in the back tendons, even though racing 

 on the flat, but in their case it is from fatigue of muscle in the 

 majority of instances. The same may be said of the hack 

 and the harness horse ; horses are always liable to make an 

 unlucky stumble, or, treading upon a stone, they put an unequal 

 and severe strain on these structures. It is important to examine 

 the injury as soon as possible after the accident to ascertain its 

 extent, before effusion of fluid and swelling deceive the eye 



