DISEASES AFFECTING BONES, ETC. 



of the spavin is not unknown, but as previously 

 stated, quite exceptional, so far as the writer is 

 aware. Hunters are no more subject to bone- 

 spavin than any other class of horse, but 

 hereditary predisposition is regarded by most 

 authorities as a significant factor in the de- 

 velopment of this trouble. In all probability 

 this theory bears some relationship, directly or 

 otherwise, to the conformation of the hocks. 

 There is a type of hock which appears to be 

 more prone to develop spavin than others 

 differently constructed. I now refer to the so- 

 called " tied-in " hock, or one that is narrow 

 at the head of the cannon bone. The reason 

 of this is explicable, on the ground, that the 

 column of support at this part is diminished 

 in area, consequently, the reception of injury, 

 such as that resulting from concussion, is 

 deficient in compensatory power. One or both 

 hocks may be spavined, but if both are 

 affected and there is very little difference in the 

 size, then it becomes a difficult matter to de- 

 termine the existence, or otherwise of spavin. 

 The size of the latter is no criterion as to the 

 pernicious influences that it will exercise, either at 



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