BUYING A HORSE 53 



Firing, Blistering, etc. — The stifle is very rarely diseased, 

 but it should be examined for enlargement, or any marks 

 of rowelling or blistering ; and the groin should not be 

 overlooked for rupture. 



The Hock — The hock is one of the most important 

 ioints in the animal machine, and should always undergo 

 the most rigid examination previous to purchase, as from 

 its complicated structure, and the work it has to perform, 

 it is the seat of lameness behind in nine cases out of ten. 

 When standing behind the horse, if one of the hocks is 

 diseased, the observer will perceive the bone does not 

 incline gradually, as in the sound limb, but there is an 

 abrupt prominence. Though to the unpractised eye this is 

 not always perceptible on comparing them, yet by passing 

 the hand down the inside of both hocks this abruptness 

 will be felt. If there is any tenderness or heat on pressure, 

 or the marks of recent cutting on the inside of the fetlock, 

 or unequal wear of the shoes, especially at the toe, you may 

 suspect spavin. Sometimes both hocks present an enlarged 

 appearance, though there is neither heat, pain, or lameness 

 (for hock lameness is frequently intermittent), such hocks 

 should always be looked upon with suspicion. They are, 

 in fact, unsound ; for though the animal may, with natural 

 malformation or morbid bone-growth, discharge his usual 

 functions through life, in careful hands, without a return of 

 lameness, yet the probability is he will fail if called upon 

 for unusual exertion ; and one day's violent exertion may 

 ruin him for ever. In this case the examiner must be 

 guided by circumstances. If the horse has excellences 

 which counterbalance the defect, the price is correspond- 

 ingly low, and the work required but moderate, he may be 

 serviceable for years, and worth his money. 



Certain forms of hock are prone to disease. Those 

 approaching each other are predisposed to spavin and curb; 

 those in which the point of the hock inclines too much 

 backward are liable to spavin ; and when the hock is too 

 upright, narrow and straight, it is subject to thoroughpin. 

 Capped hock is a soft fluctuating tumour on the point of 

 the hock, it is an enlargement of one of the mucous sacs 

 which surround the tendons inserted into that part. It 

 is produced by blows, lying on rough stones, or kicking 

 in the harness or stable. It is therefore frequently an 

 indication of vice. 



