CAPPED-HOCK, &c. 273 



fairly sup])ose that the muscles whose tendons are Inserted into the point 

 of the hock exert an ener<^y equal to 40001bs. Let us further suppose, 

 that an inch is added to the point of the hock, which will be an addition 

 of one-third to its length: a muscular power of less than 3000lbs. will now 

 effect the same purpose. The slightest lengthening, therefore, of the 

 point of the hock will make an exceedingly great difference in the muscular 

 energy by which the joint is moved; and a difference that will wonderfully 

 tell in a long day's work. On this account, the depth of the hock, or the 

 length of the bone of which we are speaking, is a point of the greatest 

 importance. 



There is, however, a limit to this. In proportion to the length of 

 this bone must be the space which it passes over in order suffi- 

 ciently to bend the limb; and in that proportion must be the contraction 

 of the muscle ; and consequently the length of the muscle, that it may be 

 enabled thus to contract ; and, therefore, if this bone were inordinately 

 lengthened, there would require a depth of quarter which would amount 

 to deformity. A hock of this disadvantageous length is, however, rarely 

 or never met with, and it is received among the golden rules in judging 

 of the horse, that this bone of the hock cannot be too Ions:. 



CAPPED IIOCK. 



The point of the hock Is sometimes swelled. A soft fluctuating tumour 

 appears on it. This is an enlargement of one of those mucous bags of 

 which we have spoken, and which surrounds the insertion of the tendons 

 into the point of the hock. It is seldom accompanied by lameness, but yet it 

 is a serious business. It is usually produced by blows, and, in the majority 

 of instances, by the injury which the horse inflicts upon himself by kicking : 

 therefore a horse with a capped hock is properly regarded with a very 

 suspicious eye. The whole of the hock should be most carefully examined, in 

 order to discover whether there are other marks of violence, and the previous 

 history of the animal should, if possible, be obtained. Generally the kicking 

 is in harness, but some horses have the habit of kicking in the stall : it is 

 possible, however, that lying on a thin bed, or on no bed, may bruise 

 the hock and produce the swelhng, or it may even result from sprain 

 of the hock ; but we repeat that it is far oftener the consequence of exter- 

 nal violence. 



Here again it is exceedingly difficult to apply a bandage; and puncturing 

 the tumour, or passing a seton through it, would be a most injudicious and 

 dangerous practice. Blisters, repeated as long as may be necessary, 

 are the proper means to be employed. Sometimes the tumour will dis- 

 appear of itself, but at others it will attain a very large size, or will assume 

 a callous structure that will bid defiance to all the means we can employ. 



MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS. 



In the inside of the hock, or a little below it, as well as at the bend of the 

 knee, (see A, page 254,) there is sometimes a scurfy eruption called 

 WALLENDERs in the fore leg, and sallenders in the hind leg. They 

 seldom produce lameness, but if no means are taken to get rid of them, a 

 discharge proceeds from them which it is afterwards difficult to stop ; 

 and certainly they have an unsightly appearance, and generairy argue 

 bad stable management. A diuretic ball should be occasionally given, and 



T 



