Yet there are other sorts of splints which often are very serious affairs. That the reader may comprehend these, let him attend to the next engraving.
1—Represents a splint which has involved the bones of the knee, and which has left the horse only the joint formed by the lower end of the radius to progress with. This is a sad business. The action is injured for life; and death, or a cart, is the lot of the wretched animal so diseased.
SPLINTS OF A SERIOUS KIND.
1. A splint involving the bones of the
knee-joint.
2. A splint interfering with the action of the
back sinews.
3. A small splint situated under the tendon of
an extensor muscle.
2—Shows fine points of bone, so placed that they would impinge upon the suspensory ligament, if not upon the flexor tendons. Lameness, in its acutest form, would thereby be caused wherever the limb was bent. The lameness, probably, would last till death, as splints in this situation are rarely discovered during life.
3—Denotes an enlargement, probably produced by a blow received during a leap, or given by an impatient groom. It is placed directly under one of the extensor tendons. In consequence of this minute substance, the severest agony is endured, or the most marked lameness exhibited, whenever the leg is advanced.
The great majority of these maladies may result from the present rage for high action, and the too general practice of pushing the horse beyond his speed. Racers and hunters commonly have splints: almost every roadster exhibits them. Few draught-horses are without them: they are all but universal. It may be easy to detect or to feel a full-sized splint; but it is rather difficult to discover these tumors when they are small, or when they are just beginning to develop themselves. At that period they are most painful. They may be mere deformities when fully formed; but, when growing, though not to be seen, they are apt to cause decided lameness.