40 The Ailments of Horses* 



Either of these may be the seat of 

 capped hock. 



The " capping " of tlie hock may be 

 formed out of the thickened skin, or 

 tissues subjacent to this, to " dropsy " 

 beneath the skin (commonest form of 

 capped hock), dropsy between tlie bone 

 and tendon, or disease of the tendon or 

 the point of the hock. If the tendon, 

 where it plays over the point of the 

 hock. 



Causes. — Some form of external 

 bruising. 



Very often capped hock is a sign of an 

 inveterate kicker, but its j^resence may 

 be purely of accidental origin. 



In reality, it constitutes unsoundness. 



When purchasing a horse, care must be 

 exercised to avoid deception with reference 

 to its origin. 



Symptoms.- Look very carefully at 

 the points of the hocks, standing a little 

 to one side, when it will readily be 

 observed. If the point or points of the 

 hocks have just been bruised, then 

 there will be increased heat, pain, and 

 swelling. Not so with an old capped 

 hock. When the disease is located in 

 the tendon it has a very hard feel ; 

 on the other hand, dropsy beneath the 

 skin and tendon confers an elastic re- 

 sistance. 



Lameness may or may not be present. 

 Usually not. 



Treatment. — Supposing that the injury 

 has just happened, and that the tip of 

 the hock feels sw^ollen and hot, then 



