584 
CONTRACTED TENDONS IN FOALS. 
and after some time show excessive uprightness of the hoof. The con¬ 
dition is distinguished from contraction produced by tendinitis by the 
absence of changes in the flexor tendons. 
Course and prognosis. In newly-born foals the abnormal position 
is usually seen on the first attempt to stand, but disappears under 
proper treatment in eight to fourteen days. Not infrequently these 
apparent cripples develop into very useful animals. Sometimes improve¬ 
ment occurs first in one limb, the other meanwhile retaining its 
Fig. 21S. Double-sided lviiucliling in u two yeur old colt (from a pliotourapli). 
abnoimal position. In calves the disease usually takes a favourable 
course. 
When appearing a couple of years after birth the disease takes a less 
favourable course, and may, indeed, never entirely disappear. In other 
cases improvement follows proper treatment, though complete cure, i.e., 
recovery of the normal position, is rare. 
Treatment. The great extensibility of the tendons in foals favours 
early and complete recovery. It is, therefore, important to practise 
forcible extension, and to such a degree that the tendons are stretched 
and the fetlock brought into an oblique position. For this purpose 
the foal is cast, the phalanges extended as far as possible and fixed 
