THE HIND-LEG yj 



The more common or serous form of capped 

 hock is simply an abscess, and is usually caused 

 by the parts becoming contused from the animal 

 kicking in its stable. They are not a source of 

 - lameness as a rule, unless they become very 

 large. They are unsightly, and usually brand 

 the animal as a kicker — at least in the stable. 



Thoroughpin. — Search is next made for 

 thoroughpin, which is a bursal enlargement, or 

 swelling at the upper and back part of the hock 

 laterally. It is usually caused by dropsy of the 

 sheath of the flexor pedis perforans tendon, or 

 disease of that tendon itself The fluid w^hich is 

 contained in the swelling may be forced through 

 by pressure with the hand from side to side of 

 the hock, hence the term Hhoroughpin.' 



Thoroughpin causes lameness, but my ex- 

 perience is that it does not do so often, unless 

 it is very large. 



From the hock the examination is continued 

 down the back or flexor tendons, and what has 

 already been said about these tendons in the 

 fore-limb holds good in those of the hind-leg. 

 Splints are very rare behind, but one does 



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