SPAVItt. 307 



order to make quite sure that there is no undue angularity, rigidity, or 

 enlargement on the seat of spavin. 



The examiner should first stand in front and view the hock, as seen by 

 looking between the fore-legs. Any enlargement on the inside, especially 

 on the anterior part, will be well seen from this point. Next, he should 

 shift his position a few paces to the side, so as to catch a somewhat side 

 view of the inner front of the structure. In this position any enlarge- 

 ment in front will be easily detected. He should next view the hock from 

 behind, looking between the legs. Any enlargement on the posterior part 

 of the inner side will then be apparent. Lastly, he should move about a 

 couple of paces to the side, and he will notice any undue angularity about 

 the interior edge of the hock. 



No enlargement, however, though on the seat of the disease, can safely 

 be said to be spavin, until by manipulation it has been ascertained to be 

 bone. Without such manipulation other enlargements, such as a dis- 

 tended vein, or a thickening of the integuments resulting from a blow, 

 may be mistaken for spavin. 



In many cases, however, as has been explained above, there is little or 

 no external enlargement, and we can then only infer the existence of a 

 spavin by the peculiarity of the lameness, or by abnormal heat about the 

 part. In examining a horse suspected of occult spavin, it is a good plan 

 to lift the hind leg and forcibly flex it up to the thigh several times. 

 After this the horse should be trotted slowly, when, if he has a spavin, 

 he will probably show lameness. 



The action, the true and perfect flexion or otherwise of the hock, and 

 the level carriage or otherwise of the hips, should be most carefully 

 observed. The action in many of the worst cases of spavin, namely those 

 between the bones, often affords the only indication of the disease. The 

 peculiarities in action caused by spavin have been detailed above. 



613. Conclusion. 



In the adult horse, when we can make sure that he is and has been 

 doing fair work, the existence of a spavin, if it does not cause lameness, 

 need not be a bar to the purchase of an animal otherwise suitable. 

 Lameness does not often recur under such circumstances. 



In young horses, the question of the advisability of a purchase must 

 chiefly turn on the conformation of the hocks. If the hocks are good, and 

 especially if the intending purchaser does not require the horse for hard 

 work immediately, a purchase may perhaps be made, though of course at 

 a reduced price. 



