CAPPED HOCK. 1017 



hock- joint and the work to be done. Animals with weak " tied-in " 

 hock joints, if put to regular work, are lame repeatedly, and may 

 become nearly useless. 



The treatment varies with the nature of the condition. In acute 

 inflammation, with marked lameness, refrigerants, &c, with iodine 

 ointment and massage, are indicated. Blisters and the actual cautery 

 are often necessary, after the acute symptoms have subsided, to 

 enable the affected limb to stand severe exertion or fast work. The 

 animals must be rested as long as they show lameness. For many 

 cases a few days' rest and the application of a calkined shoe may be 

 sufficient to enable the horse to resume work. Local treatment 

 can never completely remove old curbs, but for chronic swellings 

 with intermittent lameness, firing and blistering constitute the best 

 remedy. 



VIII.— CAPPED HOCK. 



Like curb, the term " capped hock " is collective, and includes all 

 swellings on the point of the hock, whatever their cause. Below 

 the skin covering the tuber calcanei in the horse is usually to be 

 found a mucous bursa, lying on the upper or posterior surface of the 

 tendon of the flexor pedis perforates ; under this, again, is a serous 

 bursa for the tendon, which glides over the summit of the os calcis 

 (Fig. 547, e). 



Capped hock may, therefore, be due to (1) Inflammation or 

 chronic thickening in the cutis or subcutis. (2) Hydrops of the 

 bursa subcutanea ; this is one of the commonest causes of capped 

 hock. (3) Swelling originating in the expansion of the flexor pedis 

 perforatus tendon where the latter covers the point of the hock, 

 forming a cap. (4) Hydrops of the serous bursa of this tendon. 



Causes. Capped hock results from external injuries produced 

 by kicks or striking against hard objects, from slips, violent exertion, 

 and occasionally as a sequel to purpura hemorrhagica. Confirmed 

 kickers and irritable mares often have both hocks capped — an 

 indication which it is well to note when handling such animals. 

 Horses addicted to standing with the hind legs against the wall of 

 the loose box sometimes show this defect on one or both hocks. 

 Horses often strike themselves against the side of the truck or vessel 

 when travelling by rail or water, and produce capped hock. 



Symptoms. Though the swelling is recognised at a glance, 

 especially if the hock be seen from the side, yet careful examination 

 and palpation are required to determine the exact cause to which 

 it is due, (Edema, and inflammation of the skin are easily detected. 



