SHIVERINGf. 565 



both in stopping the habit, and in preventing them from teaching 

 it to other horses. 



The fact of a horse being a cribber should always be mentioned 

 in the veterinary certificate. 



Shivering. 



NATURE. — The equine disease which is called " shivering," is 

 manifested by irregular and involuntary movements, generally 

 of the hind quarters. Its symptoms somewhat resemble those of 

 human chorea (St. Vitus's Dance), although the respective courses 

 of these diseases differ widely from each other. 



SYMPTOMS.— In "The Veterinary Record," 8th March, 1902, 

 Mr. Hunting states that " in its early stage no symptom is diag- 

 nostic. In one case you may have a suspicious movement of the 

 tail, in another an erratic movement of the hind legs. Sometimes 

 the symptoms are intermittent, and not producible by any method 

 the surgeon may adopt. At others, a sign may be developed with 

 certainty. In the most aggravated oases, symptoms are evident 

 which are not shown by any horse in the early stage. 



" An average case of shivering may show no abnormality whilst 

 the horse is unexcited and moving forward at a walk. When 

 stopped suddenly, especially if drawing a load, there may be 

 evidence of a little want of control over the movement of the hind 

 extremities. If an attempt is made to back the horse, great 

 difficulty is experienced and, in some oases, it is impossible. The 

 hind feet are not iwsed from the ground, the back is arched, and 

 the muscles of the quarters are rendered rigid or convulsed in a 

 way well described as trembling or shivering. When turned 

 sharply, the hind legs move in a jerky, uncontrolled manner. 

 When startled or backed, the tail is spasmodically elevated, and 

 this, perhaps, is as marked a peculiarity as any other. If an 

 attempt is made to raise one of the hind feet, there is great diffi- 

 culty. If it be successful, the limb is snatched up, and the muscles 

 of the thigh and quarters show the spasmodic contractions, which 

 are very characteristic. Some shiverers show decided symptoms 

 when taken to a water trough, or when offered a pail of water on 

 the ground. As soon as they extend the neck, the hind quarters 

 are seized with a spasm, and whilst the fore feet remain implanted 

 on the ground, the body is thrown backward, the back arched, and 

 the tail and quarter muscles convulsively shiver. I have seen bad 

 shiverers that would face a water-trough without a sign. . . 

 Aggravation of symptoms may accompany an attack of strangles 



