136 



PHYSIOLOGY OF FARM ANIMALS 



[CH. 



by external injuries, but are more frequently due to high knee 

 action causing much concussion in horses driven or ridden on 

 hard roads. Thus city horses are more prone to splint than 

 horses in the country. Splints do not necessarily cause lameness, 

 but are more likely to do so when the inflammation is starting, 

 and if the knee joint is affected 



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Fig. 65. Photo of splint. 



Ring-bone is the name given to any exostosis occurring on 

 the pastern or coffin bones; if involving either of these joints 

 it is termed a true ring-bone; in other positions it is a false 

 ring-bone. It occurs more commonly on the front aspect of 

 these bones and may extend comjjletely around them. It is 

 commoner and more liable to cause lameness on the fore limbs. 

 It is often associated with upright pasterns. Heavy horses are 

 more disposed to it than light ones. When \\e consider the 



