184 A HUNTING CATECHISM 



tion is being made. The proper manner to do 

 this is to raise the foot almost as high as the 

 elbow, and then hold the tip of the toes, bending 

 the fetlock a little back. The horse is then 

 helpless to resist, and very little effort is needed 

 to retain the foot in position ; but if the horse 

 is allowed to get his leg down on a level with his 

 knee, and is held by the pastern, he can snatch 

 his foot away, even from a very strong grasp. 



The most certain way of detecting whether a 

 spavin is likely to be troublesome is to pick up 

 that leg, and holding the hoof in both hands 

 press the leg up against the body for about a 

 minute, keeping the hock well flexed. Then let 

 the leg down, and have the horse immediately 

 trotted, when he will at once show lameness if a 

 spavin is in fault. A " bog spavin " is a soft 

 swelling in front of the hock. It is also called a 

 "jack spavin." Many good hunters have this, 

 and work on for years without suffering incon- 

 venience. 



Curbs are a great nuisance, especially with 

 young horses. As they get older they frequently 

 grow out of them ; but a horse with weak hocks, 

 having a piece cut out of the shank, as it were, 

 just below the joint in front, is always liable to 

 spring a curb. 



It is a sprain of the ligaments at the back of 

 the hock, about four inches below the point, 

 where a swelling may be felt, with heat and 

 soreness. It happens instantaneously, frequently 

 from a sudden slip in galloping, especially in 

 deep ground ; and very often also with a young 

 horse, from catching his toe when trotting along, 

 especially when tired. 



A lotion of salt and vinegar may be applied, as 



