THE HOCK. 99 



the toe of the shoe, and the hoof, to see if they 

 are worn away by the horse dragging his foot 

 along the ground. 



Bone spavin, in whatever degree it may exist, 

 is decidedly an unsoundness. A spavined horse 

 may appear to do his work well for a long 

 period ; but, if closely observed, he will be found 

 to be always a little stifF, and that stiifness will 

 never entirely disappear ; though it may be pre- 

 dicted with safety, that it will sooner or later 

 end in downright lameness, unless the horse is 

 kept at work which never requires the full exer- 

 tion of his powers ; for the disease is of such a 

 nature as in most cases to remain stationary, if 

 the cause that first produced it is not re -applied 

 — over-exertion, and over-weight. 



JBog Spavin is a swelling in the front, and 

 rather to the inside of the hock, on the centre of 

 the joint. It is of the same nature as windgalls 

 and thorough pin, and only to be regarded in 

 the same light as these two indications of over- 

 exertion. 



Over the middle of the tumour, constituting 

 bog spavin, a vein runs, which, by the distention 

 of the bag beneath, is always pushed a little out 

 of its place, and then appearing more prominent. 



