CURB. 



53 



less pushed out tif the straight line which they usually form down the back 

 of the hock, and a curb (Fig. 27) will be the result. If the head of the outer 

 .splint bone be the seat of injury, a jai^de (Figs. 84 and 85) will be the 

 conse(pi8nce. With respect to enlargement, from similar causes, of the head 

 of the cannon bone in producing curb, see page 246. The tendency to curb 

 will manifestly be increased (1) by the work being of a nature to severely 



Fig. 26. — Sound hock. 



[P^ig. 27. — Hock with curb. 



test the strength of the said lever ; (2) by the parts being unfitted, by disuse 

 or immaturity, to successfully resist violent strain; (3) by the surfaces of 

 ligiimentous attachment being comparatively small, as when the animal is 

 '' tied-in below the hock ; " (4) by the muscles of the gaskin being particularly 

 strong, so that the power in increased ; and (5) by the direction of the Aveight 

 forming a comparatively large angle with the lever, as would be the case in 

 a horse which has " sickle hocks." I refrain from citing comparative length 

 of OS calcis as a predisposing cause of curb ; for as far as I can see, its length 

 as a nile is proportionate to that of the bones below the hock. The gaskin 

 is the part of the leg between the hock and stifle. 



