SOKE SHINS. 



247 



the cannon bone is in a much more upright position than it 

 assumes at the gallop — in fact, the foot comes as nearly as possible, 

 flat down; hence, trotters seldom suffer from sore shins, although 

 they are subject to splints. Many two-year-olds, and even three- 

 year-olds, which are trained, suffer, at one time or the other, from 

 this ailment. Almost all these animals are put to work at far 

 too early an age. 



Sore shins, unless taken in time, is a serious disease, which in 

 some cases proves fatal. 



Fig. |86, — Enlarged end of splint bone. 



SYMPTOMS. — Generally, the first symptom is that the horse 

 begins to go a little " short " in his gallop, especially, if the ground 

 be at all hard, although he may act as well as ever when it is soft. 

 On being pulled up after a strong gallop, he may be found to walk 

 in a very sore and tender manner ; although hot fomentations and 

 a rest for a day or two may apparently set him right. All that 

 is required to develop the symptoms is to put him to fast work 

 again, without loss of time. He will then, probably after the 

 first gallop, be found to be hardly able to hobble along at a walk. 

 Above and in front of the fetlock joint or joints, as the case may 

 be, there will be a swelling which will be elastic and fluctuating 

 at first, then firm and " doughy," will '' pit " on pressure, and 

 finally will become hard, on account of the exudation becoming 



