TB THE HORSE 



of view. Actually they are caused by an abnor- 

 mal accumulation of watery matter, accumulated 

 in a sac formed between the tendon attached to 

 the point of the hock and the skin. They are 

 usually due to blows either accidentally inflicted 

 or caused by the kicking of the horse, and it is al- 

 ways advisable to take special trouble to ascertain 

 whether an animal with this disfigurement is an 

 habitual kicker in harness. Badly bred horses 

 sometimes become the victims of a mange insect 

 which particularly favors the hind legs, and causes 

 the horse to stamp and fret ceaselessly in his 

 stable, especially during the night, and during the 

 autumn and winter. In his distress, he is ex- 

 tremely likely to damage the point of his hock 

 against the stall di\asion or wall. The ob\dous 

 remedy lies in exterminating the parasites, which 

 is easily done by washing the legs with soft soap 

 and water, and applying a few dressings of equal 

 parts of paraffin oil and sweet oil. When a horse 

 rubs one hind leg against the other, stamps and 

 kicks out, and shows every indication of extreme 

 irritation at the back of the legs between heel and 

 hock, as well as a scaly dry eruption, this para- 

 site should be suspected, as it is much commoner 

 than many people might suppose. 



