32 SOUNDNESS IN HORSES. 



Capped lioch. — The form of capped liock wliicli con- 

 sists of a serous sac at the point of the hock, "is not 

 an unsoundness, if not causing lameness, and arises 

 generally from the horse striking the point of his hock 

 against some hard substance. It very often indicates a 

 kicker, either in harness or in the stable, is unsightly 

 when large, and depreciates the value of the animal " 

 (Williams). I would add, that the enlargement, so as 

 not to be an unsoundness, should be small, and should 

 present no symptons, whatsoever, of inflammation. Such 

 a capped hock never interferes with the usefulness of a 

 horse. 



Chapped heels. — See " Cracked heels." 

 Contraction of the foot — The term, " contracted foot," is 

 applied to a hoof which is narrower than natural, from 

 side to side, in comparison to its length. If the con- 

 traction is at the heels, the horse is said to have 

 " contracted heels." If the foot is of the proper form, 

 but is smaller than its fellow, the animal has what is, 

 usually, called " odd " feet. If both feet are smaller than 

 what is usual to meet with in horses of the size of the 

 animal in question, the term " small," instead of " con- 

 tracted," should be used with reference to them. A horse 

 may have naturally narrow feet — like those of a mule — 

 which should not be regarded as a sign of unsound- 

 ness ; provided always, that the animal goes true and 

 level, and shows no signs of disease. The same remark 



