246 DISEASES OF BONE. 



logs ; although, sometimes, all four cannon bones are implicated. 

 Lameness from sore shins, like that from splints, is far more 

 oommon among young horses than among older animals; but 

 sore shins, unlike splints, are confined almost entirely to young 

 lace-horses. These animals get their work principally at the 

 gallop, in which pace the heel is brought to the ground at a 

 moment when the leg is stretched out to the front (Fig. 10) ; 

 consequently, as the shock is transmitted vertically upwards from 

 the heel, its effects will be felt at the lower part of the cannon 

 bone, i.e., at the seat of sore shins. In the trot, the heel meets 

 the ground when the cannon bone is in a much more upright 

 position than it assumes at the gallop — in fact, the foot comes as 

 nearly as possible, flat down ; hence, trotters seldom suffer from 

 sore shins, although they are subject to splints. Many two-year- 

 olds, and even three-year-olds, which are trained, suffer, at one 

 time or the other, from this ailm.ent. Almost all these animals 

 are put to work at far too early an age. 



Sore shins, unless taken in time, is a serious disease, which in 

 some cases proves fatal. 



SYMPTOMS. — Generally, the first symptom is that the horse 

 begins to go a little " short " in his gallop, especially, if the 

 ground be at all hard, although he may act as well as ever when 

 it is soft. On being pulled up after a strong gallop, he may be 

 found to walk in a very sore and tender manner; although hot 

 fomentations and a rest for a day or two may apparently set him 

 right. All that is required to develop the symptoms is to put 

 him to fast work again, without loss of time. He will then, 

 probably after the first gallop, be found to be hardly able to 

 hobble along at a walk. Above and in front of the fetlock joint 

 or joints, as the case may be, there will be a swelling which will 

 be elastic and fluctuating at first, then firm and " doughy," .will 

 " pit " on pressure, and finally become hard, on account of the 

 exudation becoming converted into bone. During the first or 

 acute stage, the swelling will be painful to the touch; the horse 

 will be lame and go very " short ; " there will be more or less 

 fever. The animal jvill keep shifting his feet, if both legs are 

 affected ; or point the toe and bend the fetlock joint, if only one 

 is implicated. 



TREATMENT. — Blister the part, in the first instance, with 

 biniodide of mercury ointment (1 to 4 of lard), which will almost 

 invariably effect a speedy cure, and generally prevent a recurrence 

 of the ailment. Give a mild dose of physic, and keep the horse 



