greater at a trot than
at a walk and that the animal usually fails to bend the knees freely and
grows worse with exercise. The last mentioned condition is also present
with corns, but an examination of the foot will determine the question
of their existence. In young horses splints are sometimes mistaken for
coffin-joint lameness or navicular disease. To avoid this error, it
should be remembered that, when brought on by navicular disease, the
action of the limb improves with exercise; also that horses of five
years of age or less very rarely suffer from coffin-joint disease. Some
horses, owing to unusual development of the inner splint bones of the
fore legs may appear to have splints, although careful examination may
prove both limbs to be free from any bony deposit. When deciding such a
point, note if the two inner splint bones are of the same size. Any
swelling perceptible in a limb recently affected with splint-lameness is
usually attended by heat and pain.
TREATMENT: If there is heat present, foment with hot or cold water; when
heat has subsided, apply the following ointment: Red Iodide of Mercury,
two drams; Turpentine, twenty drops, and mix. Apply every forty-eight
hours until three applications have been applied. Rub in for twenty
minutes each time.
During this treatment use the horse for slow work on soft roads, etc. As
a rule the splints will not disappear at once, but will gradually. I may
add that common splints are not considered an unsoundness.
[Illustration: Photograph of four horses.]
PRIZE WINNING PERCHERON STALLIONS LYCEE 105934 (102746);
KAPON 97589 (90705); MICMAC 106083 (105208),
AND MARTELET 106199 (106199).
Owned by Oaklawn Farm, Wayne, Ill. (Dunhams)
SPASMODIC COLIC
CAUSE: Horses seem to be predisposed to this form of colic on account of
the great length of their intestines which are apt to be telescoped,
twisted or their circular muscular fibers spasmodically contracted.
Perhaps the principal cause is a change of food, sudden change of
temperature, constipation, drinking cold or too large a quantity of
water, especially if the animal is warm; overloading the stomach with
frozen or mouldy food. Worms frequently produce colic.
SYMPTOMS: If the animal is tied it will become uneasy, paw, point its
nose to the flank, twitch the tail, lie down and get up frequently. If
the animal is loose it will walk around, paw, kick at its belly with the
hind feet, make attempts to lie down,
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