CURB 113 



for life. Still, however, many a good and useful 

 horse has enlargement of the hock. 



CURB. 



A curb is situated some inches below the point of 

 the hock (see Plate vii, fig. 3, a, and fig. 8, e), and on 

 a line with the head of the external small splint-bone 

 (which head, if extra large, may be mistaken for a 

 curb). It is caused by a sprain of the posterior 

 straight ligament, or an injury (strain) of the flexor 

 tendons at the same situation. When the limb is 

 viewed from the side, a gradual puffing out of this 

 part will be observable ; and if it is at all large or 

 inflamed, it is sure to be followed by lameness. If 

 heat and tenderness of the part are perceived, and 

 the horse is lame, it is certain that it has its seat in 

 this spot. 



The cause of curb, like other injuries of the hock- 

 joint, proceeds from a sudden check, or over-exertion, 

 and inducing extension of the ligaments, which bind 

 down the tendons ; or it may proceed, as stated, 

 from an injury sustained by the sheaths of the 

 tendons. This brings on inflammation, and frequently 

 lameness ensues. It is most common to young 

 horses, especially those which are cow-hocked — that 

 is, with the structure of the hock and leg being like 

 that of a cow, the hocks having an inward inclina- 

 tion, and the legs exhibiting a considerable outward 

 angle. This formation of the limbs, it will be at 

 once perceived, has the effect of inducing a continual 

 stretch on the annular ligament, and thereby confining 

 the action of the tendons. 



When curb first appears it is generally accompanied 

 by swelling and lameness : it is seldom, however, that 

 the swelling is great, exhibiting generally a gradual 



H 



