LEGS OF THE HORSE, THEIR ACCIDENTS AND DISEASES. 



823 



IV. Blood Spavin. 



Causes. — Blood spavin is u distension of the saphena major vein as it 

 passes over the enUirgementof bone spavin. Th; vein is constricted and 

 the blood dammed up to a certain extent, causiig a distension of the 

 coats of the vein and giving the leg the appearance of having a very large 

 bone spavin on it. It seldom does any harm. 



How to know it. — Stand at the shoulder and view the hock as directed 

 for bone spavin, and you will see the enlargement in the same position as 

 the bone spavin. 



What to do. — Upon examination with the hand, the enlargement will 

 l)e found to be soft and readily rubbed down, which should be done often. 

 This is the only treatment of any virtue. 



V. Thoroughpin. 



This is of the same nature as bog spavin (distension of the 83010 vial 

 bursa) but occui's between the os calcis, forming the point of the hock, 

 and the rest of the joint. It seldom does any more harm than to form an 

 eyesore. Lameness from it is very rare^ 



Causes. ^Tt is produced by many of the same causes that are ascribed 

 to boir spavin, though the principal cause is hard work, consequently it 



ENLARGEMENT. 

 Forming: thoroughpin. 



DIAGRAM. 



Showing dissection of thor. 

 oughpin and bog spavin ; al- 

 so the junction of the two affec- 

 tions. 



is oflon seen in draft horses, hack horses, stage horses, and animals for 

 general utility. It is also often seen on stallions that are used for serv- 

 ing mares, the strain thrown on the hind legs being very great. It is 

 often seen in young growing colts when large and heavy for their age, 

 owing to the immense weight brought upon young and tender joints. 



How to know it. — Unsightly puffs are seen just in front of the point 

 of the hock. They are soft and appear to be filled with air ])ut it is syn- 

 ovial fluid that distends them. Thoroughpin usually accompanies bog 

 spavin^ but it may exist without the latter. 



