EXAMINATION OF THE LEGS AND FEET 383 



With reference to the former an increase of size is sometimes found 

 to result from an overfulness of the joint capsule with synovia, which pre- 

 sents itself as a fluctuating swelling, or a more firm swelling may exist 

 in one or another part of the joint or over its general circumference, as 

 a consequence of a past injury, or there may be sudden displacement, luxa- 

 tion, or " slipping out " of the patella or knee-cap, followed or not by 

 an equally sudden return to its natural position. Some animals inherit 

 a form of development of the stifle which permits this dislocation and 

 return of the bone at uncertain periods. It is possible, therefore, that, 

 however careful an examination may be conducted, this serious defect may 

 not be detected. In some cases it is brought on by weakness, following 

 upon influenza and other debilitating ailments, and may not show itself 

 while the animal is under inspection. From whatever cause it may arise 

 it impairs the usefulness of the animal and renders him unsound. 



The Hock. — Passing from the stifle to the hock, we have here to 

 notice in the first place the " point", which should be free from every form 

 of swelling. Sometimes, as a result of injury, enlargement of this part 

 is found to exist. The enlargement will vary in its character in diflerent 

 cases, and also in its relation to legal soundness. A capped hock, as it is 

 termed, may consist of nothing more than a little fluid infiltrating the 

 loose tissue beneath the skin, and causing no present or prospective inter- 

 ference with the horse's action or power to work, in which case its presence 

 is not inconsistent with a state of soundness; but it would be otherwise 

 if the swelling were inflamed and painful, and caused the animal incon- 

 venience, or if it involved the synovial sac which intervenes between the 

 tendon and the point of the bone, as the one plays over the other. 



From the point of the hock downwards to the fetlock-joint the posterior 

 border of the leg should descend in a straight line. It sometimes, however, 

 happens that this rule is departed from even in the absence of disease. 



When the head of the outer splint-bone is more than usually developed, 

 as sometimes occurs, a bulging is formed behind the hock which gives the 

 appearance of a curb, and has on many occasions been mistaken for one. 

 The bulging caused by a true curb stretches across the back of the leg, 

 while the projection formed by the bone is confined to the outer side, where 

 the bone is situated. Moreover, when the fingers are passed over a curl), 

 it is found to yield somewhat to pressure, whereas the bone is hard and 

 resisting. 



Curbs vary very considerably in size. Some are observable and dis- 

 tinguishable at once, but others are small and only just raise the line of 

 the leg. 



Although horses having curbs must be regarded as unsound, it must 



