Horse Leg

The fetlock joint often found to be a seat of lameness, this joint isput under great strain when the horse jumps, canters fast orgallops. In such work there are regular periods when the entireweight of both horse and rider is supported on one leg. Hardgoing increases the effects of concussion and deep, wet goingincreases the wrenching effect on the joint. This may result in thestraining of the fetlock joint, where heat, pain and swelling mayhe present, or where puffy enlargements, known as 'wind galls',may appear.

A mild strain of the fetlock joint usually responds to rest, coldhosing or poulticing. Persistent or severe lameness in this arearequires veterinary attention.

Damage to the sesamoid bones, or the sheathes surroundingthem (sesamoiditis), the suspensory ligament, or the tendons inthis area, requires rest and veterinary treatment.

Splints These are small, hard lumps of bone appearing on thesplint hones, which are the vestigial remains of two toes that lieeither side of the cannon bone. Splints do not necessarily causelameness, and once they are hardened, whilst unsightly, they donot usually cause any trouble, especially when they are on the side of the cannon bone. If, however, they form at the back of thecannon bone and interfere with the hack tendons, surgery may henecessary to remove them. Rest is usually sufficient to overcomethis problem in most cases, and a mild, working blister may assistthe healing process.

The most common cause of splints is the galloping and jumpingof young horses before they are capable of coping with strenuouswork.

Tendons and ligaments The suspension and locomotion of thehorse depend upon a series of tendons and ligaments. In thehorse's natural state this suspensory system is very efficient.When the horse is domesticated and put under the strains of competition riding or hunting the system frequently breaksdown.

Tendons are the strong bands of sinew that operate the jointsby the action of the muscles. Ligaments are the strong bands offibre that hold the joints together. Both these types of fibrousbands can he strained with various degrees of severity. Suchstrains always require veterinary attention. There are manysophisticated veterinary techniques for the repair of strainedtendons and ligaments, but there is only one really effectiveremedy and that is rest. One year's rest in the case of a severestrain may show some improvement but two years is far morelikely to give lasting results. Prevention is much better than cure,and the possibility of tendon strain can be reduced to theminimum by careful preparation and training and the avoidanceof very hard or very deep going.

The knee This is a complicated joint and whilst it is prone to theeffects of concussion most in to the knee are caused by falls.The condition known as 'chipped knees' arises from the horseslipping or stumbling on to his knees causing injury andunsightly, lasting scars. These scars may mean that the animal isprone to stu m1,1 lug, which isa fault in some horses. Any injury toa joint that involves the loss of 'joint oil' is serious and requiresveterinary attention. Puncture wounds to the knee can be seriousand require professional treatment.

The elbow Lameness in the elbow is rare and is usually caused bydirect, external injury. An unsightly condition known as 'cappedelbow' occurs at times. This is a bursa! enlargement around thepoint of the elbow caused by insufficient stable bedding, or by theheels of the fore shoe coming in contact with the elbow when thehorse lies down. The fitting of a 'sausage boot' around the pasternat night may help to prevent this injury.

The shoulders Lameness in this area is rare but may occur if amuscle involved in the articulation of the shoulder is damaged.Rest is probably the best remedy but veterinary advice should besought.

The stifle joint The stifle is the equivalent to the human knee jointand has a patalla or knee cap. The condition known as a `slippedstifle' is not uncommon and occurs when the horse's hind leg isfully extended behind. It causes a locking of the patella andprevents the horse returning his hind leg to its normal position.The condition can he rectified with veterinary help but repeatedslipping of the stifle can result in permanent damage.

The hock This large, complicated and important joint is putunder great strain in the competition horse when he is jumping,galloping or making turns at speed. The hock is prone to arthriticchanges, the best known being the so-called `spavins'. These areeither 'hone' or 'hog' spavins. The bone spavin is a hard swellingon the inside of the front of the hock caused by the growth of newhone. The bog spavin is the result of an inflamed joint producingmore joint oil which causes bulges at three different places: oneon the inside of the front of the hock and the other two, on either side, higher up the joint. These are serious causes of lamenessand seldom respond well to treatment.

The capped hock is an unsightly bursa) enlargement at thepoint of the hock. It is caused by insufficient or unsuitable stablebedding. It is unlikely to cause lameness.

The curb This is an unsoundness which shows as a swelling on theback of the cannon about a hand's breadth below the point of thehock. It is caused by overwork, particularly in younghorses where the tendon that runs down the back of the cannonbone from the point of the hock has been strained. At first thehorse may be lame but after about two to three weeks he shouldbe sound and very light work can by resumed. Cold hosing helpsbut blistering should he avoided. Normal work can be resumed inabout three months but strain should always be avoided. A curb is a sign of weak hocks and horses showing a tendency towardscurbs should be avoided for competition work.

Thoroughpin This is an unsightly blemish in the hock joint.Whilst it is unlikely to cause lameness it may indicate a weaknessin the hock. It is a distention of the sheath of the deep flexortendon where it passes over the arch of the hock. It shows asswellings on both sides of the joint about level with the point ofthe hock. Pressure on one swelling will push the sinovial fluidcausing the swelling to move from one side of the joint to theother. Various treatments are available, but are not as a rulelasting.

Cracked heels and grease These two separate conditions result insore patches forming in the hollow of the heel and at the back ofthe pastern. Usually caused by the horse standing in damp coldconditions or by careless washing of the legs, the affected areasbecome chapped and sore, causing lameness in severe cases. Theaffected areas should be kept clean and dry. Veterinary adviceshould be sought.