32 SPRAINS. 



The study of the gallop teaches the following lessons, with 

 respect to sprain of the suspensory ligament and back tendons : — 



1. The leading fore leg is far more liable to these accidents than 

 the non-leading fore leg. Hence, in order to keep saddle-horses 

 sound as long as possible, they should be accustomed to lead with 

 one fore leg, as much as with the other. 



2. In giving work at the gallop or canter to horses with a fore 

 leg more or less infirm from sprain, they should be taught to lead 

 with the sound one, or be given as much work at the trot as 

 possible. At this pace the weight of the body is alternately 

 supported by the near fore and off hind, and by the off fore and 

 near hind. 



3. The steeper the ascent upon which work is given to horses, 

 the less strain will there be put on the back tendons and suspensory 

 liga.ments of their fore legs ; and vice versa. 



i. The faster the speed, the more strain will be thrown on the 

 tendons and ligaments. 



5. The more a horse is " collected," the less strain will there be 

 on the fore legs ; and the more, on the hind legs. 



6. In training racehorses with weak suspensory ligaments or 

 infirm back tendons, the only safe method for giving them fast 

 work is by short and repeated gallops. For instance, instead of 

 sending such a horse a mile gallop, he should be given three 

 " spins " of three furlongs each, with intervals of from a quarter 

 to half an hour, in order to allow the muscles to recover their 

 strength and tone. 



The existence of more or less perfect harmony between the 

 strength of the muscles of the fore and hind limbs respectively 

 may be taken for granted. If a horse were turned loose and 

 allowed to gallop at his own free will, the muscles of the hind 

 legs would become fatigued 'as soon, or nearly as soon, as those 

 of the fore. The diminished assistance afforded by the back 

 tendons to the suspensory ligaments in the fore legs, when their 

 muscles became tired, would be compensated for by the decreased 

 propulsion of the hind quarters. Put a rider into the saddle, 

 however, and this harmony is at once destroyed. The weight 

 being brought forward by the position assumed in riding, 'the 

 muscles connected with the back tendons of the fore legs will have 

 more work to do, proportionately, than the muscles of the hind 

 legs, and will consequently become more quickly fatigued. With 

 troop horses, the opposite is often the case ; being ridden on the 

 curb, and kept up to the bit by the pressure of the legs, they are 

 apt to relieve the forehand at the expense of the hocks. 



The harder the ground upon which a horse is worked, the more 

 suddenly does weight fall on the suspensory ligament, and the more 



