HORSES. 



45 



WIND GALLS. 



Joint oil or synovia — previously referred to in connection 

 with broken knees, — capped elbow and hock, — is an oil provided 

 at all points where friction might arise, and is to the animal 

 what machine oil is to the engine. The bursae or oil sacs 

 which, in health, exude sufficient for the purpose of making 

 the parts work smoothly, become irritated under stress of work 

 or unhealthy conditions and fill up the joint with a fluid 

 w^hich is not true synovia. 



This is the state of the bursae just above the fetlocks in a 

 horse which is commonly called " stale." 



These enlargements were supposed to contain air ; hence 

 the name. They are found chiefly about the fetlock joints, the 

 back tendons, the knees and the hocks. 



Treatment. — When they are not consolidated by time a 

 cure may be looked for by the well rubbing in of Elliman's and 

 by proper bandaging. If a rest can be obtained it would be 

 advisable. Such enlargements are not often the cause of 

 lameness. In bandaging, two or three folds should be made 

 round them, and each drawn a little tighter than the last. 

 Perseverance in the treatment will so strengthen the part that 

 the galls will disappear. Very severe work may start them again. 



SPLINTS 



cause lameness when first forming. They are induced by 

 concussion, by blows, and by hereditary predisposition. 



They may be very large and of little consequence, or so 

 small that only an expert can find them, and yet they may 

 make a horse useless for a time. - 



To discover the seat of lameness the limb should be lifted up, 

 and carefully pressed with the fingers from just below the knee 

 to the end of the splint-bone above the fetlock. 



The horse will generally flinch when pressed on the spot. 



THE NATURE OF A SPLINT. 



The reader should understand that all bones are covered with 

 a membrane or skin called periosteum. The bones grow, and 



