48 CANADIAN HOKSE AND HIS DISEASES. 



out curbs " after a hardly-contested race, an extraordinary 

 leap, or a severe gallop, and sometimes from an awkward 

 step on the road. Many horses are predisposed to curb, 

 from the shape of the hock, having " curby hocks " — that is, 

 the hock narrow from back to front, with the os calcis stand- 

 ing prominently forward. 



Symptoms. — A swelling suddenly appears behind the 

 hock after a hard run, which is hot and tender. The lame- 

 ness is sometimes considerable, but often very slight. It is 

 best seen by looking at it sideways ; the least curve here is 

 suspicious. 



Treatment. — The treatment does not differ from any 

 other ligamentous sprain ; as remarked by Youatt, " There 

 are few complaints in which absolute and long-continued 

 rest are more requisite than in curb." The part must be 

 well fomented with hot water, and well rubbed several times 

 a day. Bandages, soaked in some cooling lotion, and kept 

 cool with cold water, or salt and water, until the inflam- 

 mation is subdued, when the biniodide of merc ury oint- 

 ment, or equal parts o f biniodide and cantharidine oint ments, 

 may be freely rubbed in, and repeated until the lameness is 

 removed, and the enlargement reduced. The animal must 

 not be put to work too soon, as repeated sprains make it 

 more serious. 



Many horses have cur bs_thr ough life, and never g o lame 

 from them. However, curbs in all cases are unsoundness. 



