CAPPED HOCK, ETC. flf^ 



tairly suppose that the muscles whose tendons are inserted into the point 

 of the hock exert an energy equal to 4000 lbs. Let us further suppose, 

 that an inch is added to the point of the hock, which will be an addition ot 

 one-third to its length : a muscular power of less than 3000 lbs. will now 

 etiect the same purpose. The slightest lengthening, therefore, of the 

 point of the hock will make an exceedingly great difference in the muscular 

 energy by which the joint is moved ; and a difference that will wonderfully 

 tell in a long day's work. On this account, the depth of the hock, or the 

 length of the bone of which we are speaking, is a point of the greatest 

 importance. 



There is, however, a limit to this. In proportion to the length of this 

 bone must be the space which it passes over in order sufficiently to bend 

 the limb ; and in that proportion must be the contraction of the muscle ; and 

 consequently the length of the muscle, that it may be enabled thus to 

 contract ; and, therefore, if this bone were inordinately lengthened, there 

 would require a depth of quarter which would amount to deformity. A 

 hock of this disadvantageous length is, however, rarely or never met with, 

 and it is received among the golden rules in judging of the horse, that this 

 bone of the hock cannot be too long. 



CAPPED HOCK. 



The point of the hock is sometimes swelled. A soft fluctuating tumour 

 appears on it. This is an enlargement of one of those mucous bags of 

 which we have spoken, and which surrounds the insertion of the tendons 

 into the point of the hock. It is seldom accompanied by lameness, but yet 

 it is a serious business. It is usually produced by blows, and, in the 

 majority of instances, by the injury which the horse inflicts upon himself 

 by kicking : therefore a horse with a capped hock is properly regarded with 

 a very suspicious eye. The whole of the hock should be most carefully 

 examined, in order to discover whether there are other marks of violence, 

 and the previous history of the animal should, if possible, be obtained. 

 Generally the kicking is in harness, but some horses have the habit of 

 kicking in the stall ; it is possible, however, that lying on a thin bed, or no 

 bed, may bruise the hock, and produce the swelling, or it may even result 

 from sprain of the hock ; but we repeat that it is far oftener the conse- 

 quence of external violence. 



Here again it is exceedingly difficult to apply a bandage ; and puncturing 

 the tumour, or passing a seton through it, would be a most injudicious and 

 dangerous practice. Blisters, repeated as long as may be necessary, are 

 the proper means to be employed. • Sometimes the tumour will disappear of 

 itself, but at others it will attain a very large size, or will assume a callous 

 structure that will bid defiance to all the means we can employ. 



MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS. 



In the inside of the hock, or a little below it, as well as at the bend of 

 the knee, (see h, page 254,) there is sometimes a scurfy eruption, called 

 Mallenuers in the fore-leg, and Sallenders in the hind-leg. They 

 seldom produce lameness, but if no means are taken to get rid of them, a 

 discharge proceeds from them which it is afterwards difficult to stop ; 

 and certainly they have an unsightly appearance, and generally argue 

 bad stable management. A diuretic ball should be occasionally given, and 



