DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 



enlargement on the inside. When inside and not showing on 

 the outside in the form of an enlargement it is called an 

 occult spavin. There are high-up and low-down, or what are 

 commonly called jack spavins. 



Causes. — Bone spavin is the result of the same conditions 

 as those of ringbone. It runs in some breeds to be spavined 

 — it is hereditary and makes its appearance for generations, 

 hence the necessity for breeding from good, sound stock. 

 Although it runs in some breeds, there are other well marked, 

 accidental causes, and in these cases breeding from such may 

 be done with safety. We refer to such accidents, including 

 hard work, as a kick or other injury — severe sprain, etc. — 

 which affects the joint. 



Symptoms. — These are clear and easily noticed as a 

 general rule. Inquire into the history of the case, how long 

 the animal has been lame and how he acts when traveling. 

 If the horse steps shorter than natural and strikes the toe first 

 in putting down the foot, if be is 

 very lame in starting off after stand- 

 ing for a while, or being kept in the 

 stable over night, if he improves 

 after going a mile or so, and if the 

 farther he goes the less he shows 

 the lameness, look for a spavin. If 

 there is an enlargement it can easily 

 be seen, but if an occult spavin 

 there will be no enlargement, mere- 

 ly heat and soreness of the parts. 

 When these symptoms are present 

 it is certain to be a spavin. After a time the muscles of the 

 hip on the lame side waste away, because of not being 

 properly used. Do not let this symptom mislead as to where 

 the lameness is. As the enlargement grows the lameness will 

 increase. 



Treatment. — Treat as a ringbone. Try to cause the 

 diseased joint to become united and form what is called 

 anchylosis of* the joint. The soreness and lameness will then 

 disappear, but on account of there being no movement in the 

 joint, the animal will not have as free use of the leg as he 

 had before. He may be very serviceable, however, for a 

 number of years after being cured. A high-up spavin is very 

 much harder to cure than a low-down or jack spavin, as it 



Fig. 44. — A Bone Spavin. 



