SPRAIN or STRAIN
,—is a preternatural extension, and forcible elongation, of the tendons, beyond the power of immediately recovering their previous elasticity; or a sudden twist of some particular joint, by which the ligamentary junction sustains an injury, and produces lameness. Whenever they happen in the hip, stifle, round-bone, or shoulder, they then become serious considerations; the injured parts being seated too deep for the effect of external applications. In such cases it is seldom of use to lose time, and encounter disappointment, by persevering stimulants; time and rest constitute the best foundation for permanent relief. Horses having encountered such accidents, should be turned out in a still and quiet pasture, where they may be free from alarm and disturbance; and this should be adopted before any stiffness is brought upon the joint, by too long standing in one position; which they mostly do, when confined in a stable as invalids. When at unrestrained liberty, it is natural to conclude, he adapts the gentleness of his motion to the state of his case, and exerts himself no more than a proper respect to his own safety may render secure. It is a self-evident fact, that a restoration of elasticity or strength of the part, is more likely to be obtained by rest, and the efforts of nature, than any superficial or topical applications that can be made.
Strains (or LAMENESS) in the shoulder require nice investigation to discriminate between such as arise from accident, rheumatic affection, or chest-foundering. It is remarked, that when a horse has sustained a severe injury in the shoulder, by wrench, slip, twist, short turn, or any other accident, the pain prevents him from bringing the leg on that side forward, in a parallel line, or in an equal degree with the other; which being sound, is much more firmly set to the ground, with an evident intent to save from pain the side that is lame. When a horse in this situation stands still, the leg of the lame shoulder is almost invariably placed before the other; and if he is trotted in hand, he generally brings forward the leg of the shoulder affected with a kind of circular sweep, and not in a direct line: if any attempt is made to turn him short on the lame side, he instantly dreads it, and becomes almost repugnant to the exertion: when compelled to make it, he will almost sink on the lame side, to support himself entirely on the sound one.
Bleeding should in such accidents immediately precede every other consideration; it unloads the vessels, prevents local stagnation, and sometimes a general stiffness of the quarter in which the injury has been sustained. Where either the season of the year prevents, or an opportunity to turn out cannot be obtained, the only alternative, hot fomentations, and stimulative embrocations, must be adopted. In strains of the hip, the horse in general draws his leg after him with a painful reluctance; and if impelled to a trot, is observed to drop upon his heel. If the injury is in the stifle, by treading on the toe, his motion is a kind of hop with the side affected. Strains of the hock are easily discovered, by a sort of limping twist in that joint at every motion of the leg. Lamenesses of the hip, stifle, and hock, are more likely to be assisted by external applications, judiciously prescribed, than those which are more deeply seated.
The ligamentary junction of the pastern joints are sometimes greatly weakened by incessant work and little rest; in unerring proof of which, they frequently make sudden drops, as if falling to the ground. The knees of many are affected in the same way, and overhang the shank-bone and fetlock-joint; the moment a tendency to which is perceived, any horse should be turned out to enjoy the rest he is so individually entitled to, for want of which salutary and humane attention, very many good and useful horses have been completely ruined and destroyed. There is no part of a horse more liable to strains, than the back sinews of the forelegs; they are materially concerned in every description of labour, and are always in proportional danger. Whenever these happen, there is no difficulty in making the discovery; there is an evident enlargement, with inflammatory tension; and if one leg only is affected, it is generally placed before the other, and rather upon the toe. In slight cases of this kind, fomentations of hot vinegar, and strengthening embrocations, assisted by rest, may produce a restoration; but, in general practice, without blistering, firing, or both, a permanent cure is seldom obtained.