COMMON UNSOUNDNESSES AND VICES 177 



If it does not interfere with the worlc of the horse it need not be 

 considered a serious unsoundness. 



BOWED TENDONS 



The tendons situated behind the cannon bone, in both the 

 front and hind legs, are subjected to severe strains from violent 

 efforts or sudden jerks. When the injury is pronounced more or 

 less swelling and soreness is present. The swelling usually extends 

 from the knee down to the fetlock, and occasionally even farther. 

 It is always characterized by heat and is often quite painful. A 

 lameness develops in proportion with the severity of the injury. 

 The tendons relax and bulge or bow out. They may not resume 

 their normal position even after the acute inflammation subsides, 

 in which case the bowed condition remains and is considered a 

 permanent unsoundness. Treatment consists in the application 

 of blisters. If these fail to bring results, the parts may be strength- 

 ened by the use of the firing iron. 



COCKED ANKLE 



A horse is said to have a cocked ankle when he "knuckles over" 

 at the fetlock joint. This occurs when the slope to the long pastern 

 is rendered less obhque and the bone assumes a more upright 

 position than normally. Close examination shows inability to 

 extend the joint to the usual degree. It is a deformity caused by 

 structural changes in the tendons and ligaments about the joint 



Fig. 50. — Cocked ankle. This deformity is also known as "knuckling." 



from heavy work of all kinds. In young horses it may be the 

 result of weakness in these parts. If the cause of the condition can 

 be found it should be promptly removed. Special shoes with low 

 heels and long toes help in many cases. As in other similar dis- 

 eases, the actual cautery may be given a trial (Fig. 50). 



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