164 RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 



CURB 



Curb is an enlargement (a bowing out) at the back part of the 

 hock, about six to eight inches below its point. Usually it is described 

 as a sprain of the ligaments at the back of the hock. Quite often the 

 bones of the part are affected also, the enlargement being due in many 

 cases to the pushing outward of the ligament by the inflammed bone. 

 To detect the enlargement it is often necessary to stand to one side of 

 the hock and then to the other so as to see the back line of the leg in 

 profile. The causes of this trouble are many; jumping and slipping, 

 going up steep inclines, and more especially conformation, the result 

 of heredity. Horsemen often speak of Curby (sickle) hocks; such a 

 conformation is especially liable to curb, and is readily transmitted to 

 the progeny by an affected sire. The leverage exerted in connection 

 wdth the hock joint is very powerful, the ground being the fulcrum; 

 the wxight, the resistance of the head of the lower thigh bone ; the 

 power, the muscles of the gaskin (lower thigh) attached to the point 

 of the hock. The tendency to curb will be increased by : 



(1) W'.ork too severe for the strength of the lever. 



(2) By disease or immaturity having rendered the parts unecjual 



to the strain, 



(3) By the surface for attachment of the ligaments being too 



small, a tied-in hock, 



(4) By the muscles of the gaskin being very strong, 



(5) By the presence of a large angle formed by the direction of 



the weight and lever, as in the Sickle Hock. 



It is an unsoundness and a very bad defect in stallions ; is probably 

 more common in light than heavy horses. Lameness is shown in the 

 earlier stage as a rule. The application of a high-heeled shoe, and Elk's 

 Absorbing Ointment once daily for 3 or 4 days, will generally overcome 

 the trouble. If the lameness and enlargement persist, the veterinarian 

 should be asked to fire the parts. 



