30 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



hocks are due to defective conformation, and are developed 

 through horses being worked before they arrive at maturity. 



" Curbs " are occasionally seen in hunters at fairs ; but as 

 a rule they are not actual curbs, being only what is called 

 " curby hocks." The straight line from the point of the hock 

 downwards is not preserved, and there is a slight convexity. 

 This condition is generally associated with shortness of the 

 point of the hock, and a narrow, tied-in appearance of the 

 lower part of the joint. 



" Curby hocks " are weak, and horses with them should not 

 be bought, except at a much reduced price, and then only with 

 a view to light work. 



" Thoroughpins " and " bog-spavin " often go together. 

 They are generally seen in short fleshy hocks. If the 

 " thoroughpin " is hard and tense on pressure, with heat in the 

 part, it is better to leave the horse alone, especially if a four- 

 year-old. If a five or a six-year-old horse, and the hocks fairly 

 well shaped, and if the horse also goes perfectly sound, he 

 might be purchased at a price. Sometimes " bog-spavins " are 

 so large that, independently of unsoundness, they are a serious 

 blemish, and the horse's value is depreciated accordingly. 



Cataracts are very often seen in the eyes of hunters ; 

 although according to law a hunter means a horse sound in his 

 wind and eyes, they should always be looked for. In very 

 dull days a small speck in the eye is most difficult to see. It 

 is always a good plan to look for cataract as the horse is coming 

 out of the stable, with his head towards the door. Some 

 dealers will guarantee a horse to a certain extent : that is, 

 they will stand to the description they give ; others will sell a 

 horse to be a scimd one, and if he turns out to be unsound 

 they will take him back; but unless the seller is a reliable 

 man and well known to the purchaser, it is very much better 

 for the purchaser to find out as much as he possibly can for 

 himself, and take the dealer's information for what he considers 



