! 181 
the two splint bones. At its origin from the head of the canon bone, it is 
quite thin ; but it soon becomes enlarged, and at the lower part it divides 
into two branches, which are attached to‘the two small bones at the back of 
the fetlock. The branches unite together again in front of the joint. The 
purpose of this ligament is to limit the degree of extension of the fetlock. 
Many horsemen are acquainted with the site and appearance of this ligament 
on the side of the leg, between the tendons at the back, and the canon bone 
in front. It is not certain whether it is elastic or not. Probably it is not. 
Ina well-formed animal it is seen to stand out boldly and unmistakably, more 
especially in well-bred horses. Often it is obscured by the presence of 
additional tissue, and ‘this is more especially the case in heavy draught 
horses. Although this ligament may be sprained at almost any point, the 
usual spot where the injury is inflicted, is at its division into the two branches 
above spoken of. The tendons at the back of the leg are two in number, 
They pass from their insertions into the muscles above, downwards behind 
the ligament we have been speaking of. They are termed the perforated 
flexor, and the perforating flexor tendons respectively. The former more 
superficial one divides, and the two portions are inserted into the two sides of 
the small pastern bone. The latter or perforating tendon passes between the 
two branches behind both pastern bones, over the navicular bone, and is- 
attached to the back of the coffin bone. This is the tendon often involved 
in the disease of the navicular bone. The check ligament is a powerful 
band originating from the head of the canon bone, and becoming firmly 
attached to the perforating tendon, about midway between the ends of the 
canon bone. 
It is. worthy of note that, whereas sprain of the suspensory ligaments is 
of more common occurrence among horses used for fast work, especially 
when galloping on hard ground, sprain of the check ligament is more 
frequently met with among-heavy draught horses. In the latter, however, 
this accident is by no means common, and, when it does occur, it generally 
happens in descending a hill with a heavy load behind. Those cart horses 
with oblique elongated pasterns are more subject to this injury. Of the 
tendons the perforating is the one most subject.to sprain. This tendon is 
not uncommonly strained, owing to fast riding over heavy country, whereas 
both the ligaments and this tendon are often injured, in going down hill with 
a heavy weight behind, or in galloping. It should be remarked that, when 
the progression is very fast, sprain most generally affects the suspensory 
ligament of the fore leg. Contrary to what has been observed in cart 
horses, it has been noticed that in racers with elongated and oblique pastern 
-bones, there is less risk of spraining the suspensory ligament. With upright 
pasterns, there is of necessity great risk of spraining the ligament, more 
especially when descending a hill. Racing men do not view with equanimity 
‘the risks run by such an animal, should the course have any sharp descents. 
Sprain. of the ligaments, one must bear in mind, is much more liable to 
occur when the muscles are exhausted, or are in an atonic or weak condition. 
Animals which often sprain the suspensory ligament, when used for racing, 
' 
