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They prove excellent Drudges, and will travel incredible Journeys. They are troubled with very few Distempers, neither do the cloudy-fac'd grey Horses go blind here, as in Europe. As for Spavins, Splints, and Ring-Bones, they are here never met withal, as I can learn.
The degree of lameness varies, and does not depend altogether on the size of the bony enlargement. Large ring-bones interfere with the movement of the tendon. Lameness is most pronounced when weight is thrown on one foot, the later phase of the step being shortened and the pastern more upright. Some cases improve with rest, but the lameness returns when the animal is given hard work.
All around the coronets of most of the horses, in consequence of their being so continually punctured with the spines of this terrible grass, it has caused a swelling, or tough enlargement of the flesh and skin, giving them the appearance of having ring-bones.
Long, weak pasterns that are predisposed to strains, upright pasterns, especially if small, and exposed to concussion and jarring, and crooked feet that distribute the weight on the part irregularly are important factors in the production of ring-bones. The external causes are sprains or any injury to the region. Lameness is nearly always present.
As a last resort boots and button rings may be used for the purpose of preventing serious injury to that part which is struck by the foot. Not all ring-bones involve the articular surfaces. The periarticular, or false ring-bone, is a chronic inflammation of the bone near the articular surface. The bony enlargement varies in size.
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