RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 163 



BOG SPAVIN 



Bog Spavin is a condition in which the capsular ligament of the 

 hock joint is distended by joint oil (synovia), appearing as a soft swell- 

 ing on the inner sides of the hock, just above the site of bone spavin. 

 This disease occurs in two forms, (1) without any inflammation or 

 lameness; (2) a hard, painful swelling with accompanying lameness. 

 The causes are premature overwork; defective conformation due to 

 heredity ; the swelling being soft and cool ; it may be due to overfeed- 

 ing, such as for show purposes. In such cases cold water compresses 

 and a good hand rubbing for 20 to 30 minutes before taking before the 

 judges will often remove the enlargement for a short time; treatment 

 is usually unsatisfactory, pressure by the use of a Bog Spavin and 

 Thoroughpin truss being the best. 



THOROUGHPIN 



Thoroughpin off hind leg. 

 Photo by Author. 



Thoroughpin is rarely absent when Bog Spavin exists, and is due 

 to the pressure of the fluid constituting the Bog Spavin on the bursae 

 of the perforans tendon, which is thus pushed out of place. This lesion 

 appears as a swelling at the back part of the hind leg, just above the 

 joint of the hock and in front of the hamstring. It can be pressed from 

 side to side with the finger. The treatment is the same as, for bog 

 spavin. In draft stallions it may be due to a sprain of the tendons, a 

 serious condition. 



