DISEASES OF THE HOCK. 277 



-nd the construction of this part of the frame is a matter worthy 

 of more regard than is generally paid to it. 



This part of the thigh should likewise be long. In proportion 

 to the length of the muscle is the degree of contraction of which 

 it is capable ; and also in proportion to the contraction of the 

 muscle is the extent of motion in the limb ; but it is still more 

 necessary that this part of the thigh should have considerable 

 muscle, in order that strength may be added to such extent oi 

 compass of motion. Much endurance would not be expected from 

 a horse with a thin arm. A horse with thin and lanky thighs 

 will not possess the strength wliich considerable exertion would 

 sometimes require. 



THOROUGH-PIK 



Mention has been made of wind-galls and their treatment. 

 A similar enlargement is found above the hock, between the ten- 

 dons of the flexor of the foot and the extensor of the hock. As 

 from its situation it must necessarily project on both sides of the 

 hock, in the form of a round swelling, it is called a thowugh- 

 fin, a Fig. 44. It is an indication of considerable work, but is 

 rarely attended by lameness. The mode of treatment must re- 

 semble that for wind-galls. Although thorough-pin cannot, per- 

 haps, be pronounced to be unsoundness, it behoves the buyer to 

 examine well a horse that is disfigured by it, and to ascertain 

 whether undue work may not have injured him in other respects. "^ 



THE HOCK. 



This is a most important joint, occasionally the evident, and 

 much oftener the unsuspected seat of lameness, and the proper 



etep very short with the affected limb, being unable to extend it. The lat- 

 ter symptom will be also present when the ligaments of this joint have been 

 strained, which, though very unfrequent, is yet occasionally the case. 



The treatment in these cases consists in applying fomentations and cooling 

 applications to the part affected, until the inflnmmation is subdued; which, 

 if severe, may be farther assisted by bleeding from the vein inside the thigh, 

 and so relieving the vessels in the neighborhood of the joint. When the iu ■ 

 flammation is subdued, a blister on the joint will be desirable in cases or 

 strains, but will rarely be required when a blow is the cause of injury. 



* Note hy Mr. Spooner. — The usual seat of thorough-pins is below, and 

 in advance of the point of the hock, and it consists of distension of the cap- 

 sular ligament at this part, and often a giving way or rupture of its connec- 

 tions. It precisely resembles bog-spavin, which occurs at the lower and 

 front part of the same joint. These affections may occur independently, but 

 more frequently are found together. Though seldom productive of lame- 

 ness, a weakness and stiffness of the part is often the consequence. The 

 best treatment is either the application of the firing-iron, or the repeated 

 rubbmg in of the ointment of oidine and mercury. A seton over the part 

 has been found useful 



