266 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



COCKED ANKLE 



A horse is said to have a cocked ankle when he "knuckles over" 

 at the fetlock joint. This occurs when the slope of the long 

 pastern is rendered less obhque and the bone assumes a more up- 

 right position than normally. Close examination shows inability 

 to extend the joint to the usual degree. It is a deformity caused 

 by structural changes in the tendons and ligaments about the 

 joint from heavy work of all kinds. In young horses it may be the 

 result of inherited weakness in these parts. If the cause of the 

 condition can be found it should be promptly removed. Special 

 shoes with low heels and long toes help in 

 many cases (Fig. 66). Severe cases can be 

 relieved only by dividing the shortened 

 tendons (tenotomy). 



WINDGALLS 



Windgalls are soft, non-sensitive, puffy 



Fig. 6 6.— Cooked swellings filled with synovial fluid. They 



ankle This deformity ap p e ar about the fetlock joint and other 



is also known as iJ - , * 



"knuckling." parts where tendon sheaths are located. 



These enlargements vary in size, from a 

 hazelnut to that of a hen's egg, or larger. In old horses they 

 are a sign of hard work. Foals develop windgalls from general 

 weakness, but they disappear without treatment when the 

 animals get older. If no inconvenience is given the horse, 

 little attention is required. They rarely diminish the use- 

 fulness of the animal unless they become indurated and con- 

 verted into fibrous tissue. Little success follows the removal of 

 the fluid from windgalls. Massage and bandaging are helpful 

 in reducing them. It is not wise to apply a blister with the hope 

 of getting absorption of the serous fluid, as experience teaches 

 that no permanent benefit results from such treatment. The 

 presence of windgalls that do not interfere with the horse's move- 

 ments need be regarded only as blemishes. 



CURB 



Curb is a swelling, or bulging backward, at the back of the 

 hock, about 6 inches below its point. It is caused by anything 



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