222 NAVIX ox THE HORSE. 



describing the treatment ; for, until the causes of this destruct- 

 ive and universally prevalent malady are generally understood 

 and appreciated by our farmers and breeders, we can not expect 

 them to take those precautionary measures which are necessary 

 to prevent its occurrence. 



For the purj)ose of investigation, the causes of spavin may 

 be considered in two classes : predisposing causes, or such as 

 render the system in a proper condition for developing spavin; 

 and exciting causes, or such as immediately cause the disease 

 to commence. 



Among the predisposing causes, that which overshadows all 

 others is hereditary predisposition ; that is, the colt inherits 

 from its parents a peculiar liability to spavin, so that the 

 slightest exciting cause will be sufficient to bring on the disease, 

 or it may commence at any time without any other cause than 

 the hereditary predisposition, and progress to its most de- 

 structive termination. 



Indeed, it is conceded by the ablest writers that the disease 

 itself is hereditary — transmitted to the offspring by a spavined 

 parent, just as a large-headed shank-bone, or large joints gen- 

 erally, in the parent, will beget the same type in the progeny, 

 (offspring). 



It is hardly necessary for me to say that nearly all this 

 hereditary mischief is the result^of putting mares to spavined 

 stallions, or breeding old, broken-down, stove-up, or spavined 

 traps of mares. Such mares are only lit to raise mules from, 

 the mule being proof against disease, and almost so against 

 hereditary taints, and just as profitable to the breeder as the 

 very best colts, which he can not reasonably expect from his 

 old or diseased mares, even though he should breed them to 

 the best stallions. 



Certain breeds or stocks of horses seem peculiarly liable 

 to spavin. This should be taken into consideration by breeders ; 

 for, though the horse himself may not be affected, if the pre- 

 disposition exists in the family, his colts will be liable to it. 



