COMMON AILMENTS OF THE HORSE 427 



a little mustard once a day for a few days. Care must 

 be taken to avoid complications. 



Sweeney shoulder. — This is a rapid wasting away of 

 the muscles on the outside of the shoulder blade. While 

 occasionally seen in horses of any age, it is more common 

 in young animals. It is .caused by straining, severe pull- 

 ing and jerking movements, such as in plowing stony 

 land. Idle horses when put to work are most subject to 

 the ailment. The nerves or blood vessels of the affected 

 part seem to be injured by the pressure of the collar. 

 The treatment is to remove the cause and give the horse 

 rest. The skin over the affected muscles should be 

 loosened from the tissue beneath by manipulation. Rub 

 the skin and muscles. Later, apply a mild liniment and 

 failing in this try a mild blister. At least two months 

 should be allowed for a complete recovery. In case there 

 is a wasting of the muscles of the shoulder, with severe 

 lameness, the cause should be sought in the foot. When 

 the cause of the lameness is located and removed the 

 muscles will resume their normal condition. 



Sore shoulder and neck. — ^Hard-working horses are fre- 

 quently troubled with sore shoulders and neck. This is 

 largely due to poorly fitting collars and certain kinds of 

 work especially when the load borne by the neck is great. 

 The treatment is to remove the cause. If nothing else 

 is at hand wash the parts with cold salt water and when 

 dry dust with finely pulverized, air-slaked lime. Oxide 

 of zinc ointment is good. This is made by mixing one 

 ounce of oxide of zinc with four ounces of benzoated lard. 

 If the parts become callused, apply a dull red blister, 

 which will absorb the callus. It will be necessary to rest 

 the horse while applying the blister. 



Foul sheath in geldings. — This is an accumulation of 

 material from the glands of the sheath which often hin- 

 ders the free passage of urine. The sheath may become 

 stopped up and the retained urine increase the trouble. 

 In such cases the sheath should be well cleaned with 



