UNSOUNDNESS 245 



Splints. — Splints appear as small tumors of various shapes 

 and sizes along the metacarpal bones, usually at the junction of 

 the large and small metacarpals. They are generally more seri- 

 ous when located near the knee. Occasionally there appears 

 what is known as a pegged splint, in which the growth extends 

 across the back of the cannon, beneath the suspensory ligament. 

 It is important to avoid mistaking for a splint, the nor- 

 mal enlargement on the inferior extremity of the inner meta- 

 carpal. 



The lameness which results from splints is recognized by lo- 

 cating the splint and noting sensitiveness on pressure over this 

 point. The horse walks nearly or quite "sound," but trots 

 very "lame," especially on hard ground. He is apt to get 

 worse after long exercise and is worse on rough, hard road. 



There is a natural tendency to recover. For this reason lame- 

 ness from splints is rarely seen in aged horses. 



"When the splint appears very close to the knee, or in the 

 pegged form, there is less prospect of natural recovery, and, 

 with the latter form, lameness is very apt to be permanent, 

 unless relieved by surgical means. 



Curb. — A curb is a result of injury or strain of a short liga- 

 ment at the back of the hock joint, and is characterized at first 

 by a hot, sensitive swelling just back of the lowest part of the 

 hock joint. After the period of swelling and inflammation sub- 

 sides, there is apt to remain a hard tumor, particularly on what 

 is known as curby hocks. In cases of young animals with other- 

 wise good legs, proper treatment may reduce the enlargement to 

 slight size or practically remove it. 



Capped hock. — This is a soft enlargement, on the point of the 

 hock, and is produced by bruises. Some horses get it by back- 

 ing up against the stalls and striking so as to injure the point 

 of the hock ; bruises may be received during car shipment. The 

 first swelling may usually be reduced by prompt treatment, but 

 upon slight injury it returns and after several attacks is apt 

 to be permanent. A capped hock does not injure a horse for 

 actual use, but it is unsightly, and materially reduces sale value. 



Shoe boil.— Shoe boil appears as an enlargement on the point 

 of the elbow or superior extremity of the ulna. It is very simi- 

 lar to capped hock in cause, character of structures involved, 

 and subsequent history. Shoe boils are unsightly and injure 

 sale, but do not cause lameness. 



