22 Horses and Horsemastership. 



SPAVIN is an exostosis or bony excrescence situated 

 on the inner and lower aspect of the hock. The ten- 

 dency to this trouble is increased b}^ any peculiarity or 

 defective conformation in the structure of the joint. 



By reason of the defective conformation any undue 

 pressure, or concussion, or sprain of the ligaments, 

 usually results in the formation of spavin. As a rule, 

 the more visible the spavin the less important it is, but 

 a spavined horse should always be eyed with suspicion. 



The treatment in the primary stage, when lameness 

 supervenes, is absolute rest in a loose box. In this, as 

 in all troubles involving the formation of bony deposits, 

 it is a great mistake to tie a horse up in a stall, except, 

 of course, during the active stage of blistering, when if 

 the horse were allowed to have his freedom great danger 

 would be run of his gnawing at the blistered part, and 

 of the blistering agent getting into his mouth, or even 

 eyes. 



The hock should be subjected to the influence of cold 

 water, applied by means of a hose pipe, several times a 

 day until the inflammation subsides. If, after a week 

 of such treatment, the lameness still exists, then the 

 more drastic action of a stiff blister must be resorted to. 

 If that fails, firing will have to be done. 



In examining a horse for spavin the hocks should be 

 closely compared the one with the other, and if any 

 difference is apparent, steps should be taken to ascertain 



