AND MALFORMATIONS OF THE FP]ET. 115 



A calkin should be turned up wide and made of 

 steel. If made, as is often the case, narrow or 

 little more than a spike, it soon wears down and 

 ceases to be of any use. Besides this, a kick from 

 a broad will be less severe than one from a narrow 

 calkin. 



Calkins on the outside may sometimes be used 

 with benefit in horses that turn their hocks out, as 

 a remedy against that defective formation. 



92. As regards shoeing, relief is given in cases of ^p^^'" 

 spavin by thickening the inside heel of the shoe, 

 which has the double effect of giving an artificial 

 support to that side, and again of lessening the 

 strain on the part affected by throwing the weight 



to the outer side. 



Calkins and higli-heeled shoes are not without 

 their effect in producing spavin, where at least any 

 predisposition to it exists. The hind quarter from 

 its formation, and especially from its length, is very 

 susceptible of strain at the hock joint ; and calkins 

 increase this tendency by artificially lengthening 

 the limb, and thus cause greater leverage, and also 

 an uneven and irregular bearing. 



93. Curb is an enlargement at the back part of Cmi). 

 the hock joint, caused by strain of the ligament, 

 which binds down the os calcis to the metatarsal or 

 great bone of the leg. 



8—2 



