FACTS FOR FARMERS. SPLINTS IN HORSES. (Land and Water.)

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 193, 5 August 1873, Page 2

FACTS FOR FARMERS. SPLINTS IN HORSES. (Land and Water.)

A spunt may be described as a bony enlargement, situated on the inner side of tho shank bone, huh its true nature will "be better understood if we first shortly refer no the normal structure of parts. The cannon bone which puns from the knee to the fetlock, has on either side of its posterior surface a long narrow bonr, called the splint bone. These two small bones extend from the knee-joint downwards about twothirds of the length of the larger bone, to whioh, in young horses, they are joined by short filamentous fitwes. In old horsae, however, they are united by bone matter ; in other words, as horses grow older, the uniting fibres are gradually converted into bone. When this bony change ooours at one spot too rapidly, and not only unites the two bones, but forms a prominent bony deposit above the level of the bones, then we have what is known as a splint. Splinta are found mostly in young horses, because bony deposition is a normal action in them. They are only deposits in excess, not extraneous bodies— nature's effort to hasten the solid union of two bones. This excessive action is caused by the strain thrown upon partially developed structures by premature ■ hard work. Young horses are put to work at 2or 3 yean old, with a weight upon their backs on a hard road. Thus strain and jar is caused, and splints are common. Lameness from splints is seldom seen, save when they are growing, and is then due to the> tension upon the fibrous covering of the bone. A splint which has completed its growth seldom causes lameness ; but this depends upon its situation. A splint close to the knee is always unsafe, as it may implicate the joint, and a Urge splint may extend so far back as to interfere with the free action of the tendons at the back of the leg. The further fsonj the koee, ami the nearer the front of tho bone, wo find a splint, the less fear is there of any injury arising. The fact that splints are usually found on the inner side of the leg may be explained by the consideration that that side is more directly in the line of weight, and i their absence in the hind legs is due to the weight of the body resting in greatest proportion upon tho fore ones. When a young horse fh-sfc shows signs of splints he should be allowed to rest, and cold water bandage* applied to the legs. For all splints rest is the greatest essential ; without it a horse may become sound, but witli the- risk, of having a large permanent splint. The swelling present on the leg of a horse lame from sph'nt must; not be looked upon as all bony enlargement ; most of it it only & thickening of the soft tissues covering the part, and due to the focal inflammation. This will" subside, bnl> the bony enlargement will not. The removal of the splints is simply a piece of quackery. Rest and cold water will iillow the soft swelling to be rea'bsorbed, and providing there is no fresh irritation, as too quick a return to hard work, the union of cannon and splint bones will be completed without any great excess of bony deposit. When the lameness induced by splint has disappeared, it is good policy, before working the animal, to mildly blister the part, as this gives more rest, and favors fehe normal action. In other words, it increases the action going on in the parts throughout — -not at one spot— and this hardens the completion of the bony union between the bones. Firing we consider quite unnecessary ; so also un operation which consists in dividing the fibrous covering of the bone with a view to allay the- tension, and pain-. Thfr is treating a symptom instend of attempting the removal of u cause. A small sprint on tho leg of an aged hone it of no consequence. Large splints on both legs are deoidvdly objectionable, as indicating a tendency to osseous deposition or weakness of the joints and bones which nature attempts to strengthen by throwing out more bone matter. Splints on horses under five yetrs old indicate some risk of soundness, as they may increase in size and tWs interfere with, tho- action* Of course upon their situation depends their value. A splint " well out of the way " may be 5 expected to cause nothing wore than a little temporary lameness at most. Though we look upon the removal of splints cfs quackery, we do not say it is impossible. The soft swelling ©f splints will always subside with time and proper treatment, and possessors of secreb remedies have often obtained praise for reducing this sort of swelling in cases whero bony deposition had not quite ceased — where, in fact, actiiro changes wore •till going on, and local congestion caused considerable prominence. Old- ppliiits lfffris been removed. But we tnko it that the removal of the bony prominence was not worth the time and pain and danger inourred ; and certainly the loss of hai" entailed is to a practical man a& great a blemish, as a- splint which does not cause lameness. By applying strong caustics, as arsenic, corrosive sublimate, and chloride- of ainc, it i» possible to produce an immense slough,, whioh if it destroy the bone, causes a layer- of" it to be thrown off. If the slough included the ligaments of the knee, or the sheath of the back tendons, the horse would, be spoilt, if not actually destroyed. We> therefore, strongly advise everyone to avoid attempts to remove old splints. As in most affections of the leg, so in spKn* we should to the shoeing. When the foot is not in proper proportion the leg must necessarily be out of its true position, li the inside of the hoof be too high, or the inner side not level with the outer, more or less jar to the leg is probable. Both as a preventive and curative measure wo should take care that the shoeing is properly performed.

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