43 



one of the worst 'species of lameness with which 

 the animal can he aflHcted. It is, liowever, 

 of less importance in a hind leg than in a fore 

 leg, and this arises from the ohliciuity with 

 which the hind leg alights on the ground, so 

 that less flexion and elasticity are required in 

 the lesser pastern joint of the hind leg, than in 

 the fore leg. 



BONE SPAVIN 



Takes place on the upper end of the hone of 

 the hind leg, adjoining the lower and inside 

 part of the Hough, where it forms a round 

 bony excrescence. 



The hough is more frequently the seat of 

 lameness than any other part of the hind leg. 

 Young horses, whose houghs stand obliquely, 

 a form which is commonly termed cow-hough- 

 ed, are particularly subject to this complaint. 

 The lower part of the joint of the hough is 

 composed of several small bones, which, though 

 they are exactly fitted to each other, and oc- 

 cupy one common cavity, yet possess a distinct 

 separate motion, independent of each other. 



The utility of this conformation consists ia 

 furnishing greater elasticity to the joint than 

 it would have possessed, had it been composed 



G 



