168 THE HORSE 



front of it, jast below the outer cuneiforme bone. A horse 

 with such malformation is ever likely to spring a curb. 



Exostosis frequently occurs from inflammation of the 

 hock, on the inside of the joint, and is termed a spavin. 

 When this only occurs on the shank itself no real harm is 

 done, for, like any form of splint, when once it has fully 

 formed Nature gradually adapts herself to the altered 

 conditions, and the lameness which occurred whilst the 

 exostosis was forming gradually disappears. It is different, 

 however, when the spavin is situated on the small bones of 

 the hock (true spavin), for even if it does not anchylose the 

 joint, the delicate machinery is interfered with, and stiffness 

 in working is the inevitable result. Sometimes the small 

 bones, the naviculare, and the cuneiforme bones, are extra 

 developed, giving the impression to a casual observer that 

 some exostosis has taken place ; but the touch should at once 

 dispel that idea, and also the fact that both hocks are 

 exactly alike. Such are termed "rough" or "strong" 

 hocks, and are really a source of strength, instead of being 

 spavins. 



Flesh and Muscle. 



The bony framework having been disposed of, the next 

 point of consideration must be its covering, that tissue of 

 muscles we term flesh; but important as the muscles all are, 

 it is not necessary for the ordinary horseman to take notice of 

 more than a few, those chiefly concerned in locomotion, and 

 these alone will now be considered. It is the due estimate 

 of such which constitutes generally the difference between 

 a good and a moderate judge of a horse's capabilities. 



It will be patent to everyone that the head, which in 

 itself is a great weight, as any one can test for himself by 

 lifting one after it has been detached from the carcase in a 

 knacker's yard, must require very powerful muscles to 

 support it at the end of a long pole, such as the cervical 

 vertebrae represent, and therefore the neck must be 

 sufficiently strong. But the strength must lie in the 

 proper muscles, or else the neck becomes too heavily clothed 

 with flesh, some of which is not required and is a hindrance 



