BOG SPAVIN. 291 



already deposited it may be detected by the fingers on 

 making a careful examination, and when found feels hard ; 

 such a case is hkely to cause trouble, hence the practitioner, 

 when examining a horse as to soundness, should always make 

 a very careful examination, and be cautious in giving an 

 opinion in regard to a bog spavin. As a rule in heavy 

 horses bog spavin is not considered as constituting an un- 

 soundness, unless there is heat, calcareous deposits, or lame- 

 ness, etc., present, and clearly attributable to the bog spavin. 

 On the other hand the presence of a bog spavin, in a light 

 animal, or an animal used for fast work, in any stage what- 

 ever, and whether accompanied or not by calcareous de- 

 posits, heat, lameness, etc., must be considered as constituting 

 an unsoundness, and such an animal should be rejected on 

 examination. 



Causes. — Bog spavin is usually caused by hard and fast 

 work, irregular or too little exercise, high feeding, etc., 

 in other cases it may be produced very easily, as by a short 

 drive ; especially is this the case where an animal is pre- 

 disposed to it. Young horses are more liable than old and 

 mature animals. Occasionally after a heavy horse has been 

 caused to exert himself, and is allowed to stand in the 

 stable all night, in the morning a puffy tumour may be 

 discovered on the antero-internal aspect of the hock joint, 

 and on being examined it is discovered to be a true bog 

 spavin. 



Treatment. — In many cases it is not deemed worth while 

 to treat a bog spavin. That is, where it occurs in a heavy 

 horse, and seems to do no harm, and as symmetry and 

 beauty are not much cared for in such horses, as long as it 

 constitutes nothing more than an eyesore, it is rarely 

 treated. If plethoric, the animal should be reduced to a 

 slight extent, a laxative may be administered and fol- 

 lowed by diuretics. Hot and cold applications, preferably the 



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