DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 509 
bandage, rub the joint well with acid liniment. If the hole 
is very large and the bone is injured, it is best to destroy the 
animal at once. 
32. Tumors and Cancers. 
Thsse are rarely met with in horses, but are quite com- 
monly so in cattle. For this reason the subject is fully dealt 
with in Part III. 
33. Curb. 
This is a rupture and enlargement of the ligament that 
runs down the back part of the hock joint — this ligament re- 
ceives the name of calcaneocuboid ligament. 
Fig. 56.— Curb. 1. Sound Hock. 2 and 3. Curbs. 
Causes. — Horses that have crooked or curby legs are 
more liable to this than horses with straight legs. It gener- 
ally results from a severe sprain by slipping while drawing 
or driving, or from rearing up or backing forcibly with a 
heavy load or in deep snow. 
Symptoms. — It is easily detected by looking at the hind 
leg at the side. The enlargement at the back of the hock 
may be detected by running the hand down over the back of 
the hock joint. When the curb is first sprung on, the animal 
is lame, and, in traveling, he steps long, somewhat similar 
to ringbone lameness. After resting for a day or two, and 
then being driven, at first, he is not very lame, but after driv- 
ing a while he becomes very lame. When allowed to stand 
he rests the leg by standing on his toe and throwing the fet- 
lock forward. After a time the lameness disappears if not 
treated, but the enlargement remains. 
Treatment. — Get the soreness and lameness out of the 
ligament by bathing with lukewarm water and salt twice a 
