LAMENESS, FROM VARIOUS CAUSES. 



371 



or in defective flexible power of the hock-joint ; the other, the effect 

 of acute inflammation of the spavined parts, or else of ulceration 

 of the joints, consists in a sort of spasmodic catching up of the 

 spavined limb the moment the heel of the foot comes down upon 

 the ground, something after the manner of string-halt. Stiffness 

 may not unfrequently be observed even in the horse's side move- 



SPAVINED IN OFF HIND LEG— RINGBONE IN ALL THE PASTERNS. 



ment in his stall. With such characteristic lameness as this, and 

 with spavin present as well, evidently hot and tender to pressure, 

 there can exist no doubt about the case. Where, however, the 

 lameness is but slight, although a spavin is present, yet, from the 

 absence of any heat or tenderness in the swelling, as well as from 

 its duration, many doubts arise as to the cause of the lameness. 

 In such a case as this, we should take advantage of the well- 

 known fact of the fluctuating or evanescent character of spavin 

 lameness, to which end it is advisable to have the horse under 

 examination hard ridden or driven, or otherwise exercised, until 

 he be in a profuse sweat, and afterward kept standing tied up in 

 a stall, until he be cold and stiff in his joints, and then trotted 

 out again. A knowing vender of a spavined horse would take 

 care to ' warm ' him by a good ride or drive before he took him 

 to show to the presumed purchaser; and then, while under ex- 



