5 82 
INFLAMMATION OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. 
section of the perforans and perforatns tendons, particularly in heavy 
horses, may be removed by wearing a long bar-shoe. If needful, an 
iron crutch, with fork-shaped arms reaching to a point just below the 
fetlock-joint, may be affixed to the heels, to afford the joint a surface 
on which to rest. The apparatus termed an “ orthosom ” is of similar 
character. Sometimes the suspensory ligament is contracted, causing 
the fetlock to remain upright, even after complete division of the 
perforans and perforatns tendons, a condition which experience tends 
to show is incurable. It occurs not only after strain and thickening 
of the suspensory ligament, but also after severe and old-standing 
‘‘ knuckling over.’' 
Horses which are “ knuckled over,” if worked slowly and on soft 
ground, may be made useful for a long time by applying a long-toed 
shoe, though this will not cure or even effect improvement in the original 
disease. Tendinitis occurring during infectious 
disease, especially during influenza, requires 
special attention, while, to prevent relapse, such 
animals should not be too soon put to work, or 
otherwise exerted ; during the convalescent stage 
particular caution is called for, and the tendons 
may be bandaged with advantage. 
If, during the course of any of these diseases, 
inflammation of the tendons or tendon sheaths 
occurs, mild stimulation and bandaging con¬ 
stitute the best primary treatment. When pain 
is severe, luke-warm disinfectant foot-baths often 
relieve it. In other cases, warm moist appli¬ 
cations and moderate pressure on the diseased 
tendons may be resorted to. Sometimes the 
condition disappears with unexpected rapidity, 
but generally returns in the same or some other spot, and may often 
involve both limbs. The degree of swelling and pain forms an index to 
the gravity of the condition, which sometimes resists blistering, and 
even firing, and not infrequently proves incurable. In other cases, and 
especially where there is no marked anatomical change, recovery may 
occur after many months. 
CONTRACTED TENDONS (“ KNUCKLING OYER”) 
IN FOALS. 
In English pure-bred stock, less frequently in other breeds, new-born 
foals are sometimes unable to move on account of excessive “ knuckling ” on 
the fore limbs. The upright position of the fetlock prevents the flexors 
taking their proper part in sustaining weight. This peculiar deformity 
Fig. 217.—Special shoe for 
“knuckling.” 
