BOXE-SPAYIX. 223 



We come now to consider the existing causes of spavin. Re- 

 curring again to the structure of the hough, it will be remem- 

 bered that the inner splint-bone bears nearly the entire weight 

 thrown on one of the wedge-bones, and also that it is situated 

 near the center of the hind parts, and from these circumstances 

 it has a great weight to sustain. Hence, when the leg is sub- 

 jected to any undue exertion, this disadvantage is greatly in- 

 creased and an injury to this part is most likely to take place. 



By letting young colts follow the dam when traveling on 

 hard roads, thus exerting and jamng its joints more than they 

 can bear, will give rise to inflammation at the union of the 

 splint and shank-bone, and produce spavin. Allowing it to 

 follow the dam on the farm all day, when she is at work, will 

 have the same effect. Allowing boys or dogs to run colts, 

 making them jump fences or logs, or kick violently, is another 

 manner of producing this mischief. 



Setting horses to severe drudgery when too young, or hard 

 pulling at any age, especially in the hands of a ci^'uel or pas- 

 sionate driver, pulling up hill, and breaking or slipping, run- 

 ning through a tough swamp or mire, and especially kicking 

 and missing the object, will cause spavin, as also bad shoeing. 



But it must not be forgotten that a horse may escape spavin, 

 even though exposed to any or all of these exciting causes. 

 Nature has "clothed the horse with strength," and when free 

 from hereditary weakness he is not only capable of enduring 

 his ordinary labor, but also of passing through many hardships 

 unharmed. But it is not so with one having the hereditary 

 predisposition ; with him the disease is only lying inactive, 

 waiting an opportunity to develop itself. 



I have been thus elaborate in discussing the causes of spavin 

 so that farmers and breeders may be induced to guard against 

 propagating this unsoundness, which is now doing more to 

 injure the value of our horses than any other to which the 

 horse is subject. And this becomes the more necessary from the 

 fact that but little can be expected from the most skillful treat- 



