The flexor tendons of the legs are liable to a variety of accidents. Injuries to these structures, according to their severity, are denominated: strain of the flexor tendon, clap of the back sinews, sprain of the back sinews, and breaking down.
The first accident is common enough, and springs from the horse being forced to perform extraordinary work on uneven ground. Else it is caused by the irritability of the rider; tugging now at one rein, then at the other; forcing a timid animal into strange contortions, and at the same time elevating the head, thereby throwing all the strain upon the muscles. This is a spectacle repeatedly presented to him who walks about town. An angry rider is seen sawing, without compunction, at the mouth of some patient horse. The spectators look on complacently.
There is nothing offensive to them in an enraged man venting his anger on an unoffending creature. Were the act generally reprehended, it would not be so frequently exhibited; but the only emotion the contemplation of another's brutality appears to elicit, is a desire in the passengers to provide for their own security.
The main cause, however, of the most prevalent of these sad deformities is that of the shaft-horse descending a steep declivity with a load behind it. The weight would roll down the descent: this the horse has to prevent, and the chief stress is then upon the back tendons. The injuries to such parts are generally of a chronic character. The strain seldom occasions decided lameness. But the horse being harnessed to the shafts, the cause is in daily operation. The part injured is being constantly excited. Thus, without the development of a single acute symptom, the tendons are stretched—a low kind of inflammation is generated—and this action being kept up, the sinews gradually lose their elasticity, and shorten.
When strain of the fore leg is received, the animal goes oddly, but is not lame. However, if put into the stable and taken out the next morning, the horse is found to be stiff and apparently very cramped. The halting action may disappear upon exercise; but assuredly it will again be present on the following dawn. The proprietor may resolve to work "the brute" sound. Such a speculation with disease may occasionally answer; but, on the large scale, it is a losing game, for it more often fails than succeeds: the limb, on work, commonly does not amend. The symptoms are aggravated in every way; and what was curable in the first stage is apt, after the lapse of time, to degenerate into an intractable malady. The many horses to be seen in the London cab ranks, with the fore limbs permanently contracted, are evidences as to the result of such very knowing treatment.
When a horse slightly strains the flexor tendon, do not expect to discover the seat of the affection till several hours have elapsed. Then pass the hand gently down the injured limb. A small swelling may be detected. The enlargement may feel soft, slightly warm, but hardly tender. Bind a linen bandage round the leg rather tightly, and keep this constantly wet with cold water. For the three first nights, have men to sit up in the stable and perform that operation. After that time, if everything goes on well, wet the limb only during the day.
Throw up the horse till more than recovered, and do not put it to full work till some period after that event. Give immediately four drachms of aloes. Allow only two feeds of corn per day; but do not turn out to graze, under the idea that it saves cost and gives a chance that the animal may be taken up sound. At grass, the horse must walk many miles to eat poor food, sufficient to support life. This kind of motion will not suit a strain, which does best with absolute rest. Keep, therefore, in a stall, and do not begrudge the necessary meat to support the life which has suffered injury, and is now enduring pain, in consequence of exertion made in your service.
CLAP OF THE BACK SINEWS.
When the accident is more severe, and the sprain more decided, it is spoken of as "clap of the back sinews;" this is a serious affair. The usual fate of the wretched animal thus maimed is to be sold to the highest bidder. It passes from a carefully-tended stable to some wretched out-shed; and its new master is made happy, if the crippled horse can only limp, and somehow get through a day's labor. No pity is wasted upon agony; "the beast," as it is now called, has to live worse, work harder, and drag out a miserable existence with the heavy burden of an almost useless limb.