The reader who has studied the anatomy of the limb, and informed himself of the origin, attachments, and divisions of this structure (figs. 356 and 366), will be prepared to learn that the ligament may be sprained in one of its branches, in both, or through its body at a point before its division takes place; or it may be ruptured or torn away from the sesamoid bones so completely that the fetlock-joint, losing its support, descends towards the ground. In slight sprains the reverse is the ease; instead of the fetlock-joint coming to the ground and the toe inclining upward, the patient will endeavour to impose weight on the latter, and straighten the limb more or less in the effort.

Race-horses and hunters most frequently suffer by this accident in the fore-legs, and among draught-horses it is more often noted in the hind-limbs.

Injury to these weight-bearing structures is always a serious matter, and calls for so much time and patience that animals of little value seldom repay treatment. This is especially the case where, as sometimes occurs, it is associated with fracture of the sesamoid bones.

Every degree of lameness may be associated with injury to the suspensory ligament. In all but the very slightest cases more or less swelling appears at and about the seat of injury. There is heat in the part, and pain is provoked by pressure. To relieve the ligament from traction when standing the fetlock is maintained in a semi-flexed condition. In the severer cases the entire limb, from the knee downward, becomes more or less enlarged, and there is an entire inability to support weight.

Treatment

Where the ligament is seriously sprained a dose of physic should be given at once, then a high-heeled shoe should be applied to the foot and the patient put into slings. Hot fomentations should be applied to the part three or four times daily, and hot-water bandages in the intervals. This will have the effect of reducing existing inflammation, after which irrigation with cold water will give tone to the vessels and restore healthy action. A long bandage firmly applied to the leg from the knee downward will give needed support to the fetlock-joint, which will be rendered still more efficient if a thick pad of cotton-wool or tow be placed in the space between the fetlock and the heel.

As soon as possible the patient should be removed from slings and allowed to lie down. Firing or blistering, or both, should be resorted to in' clue course with the twofold object of inducing absorption of superfluous material from the seat of injury, and of thickening the skin so as to afford a bracing support to the part.