CHAP. II.] SPAVINS TRACED : CURE. 465 



As almost every one knows, by misusing young 

 colts in the manner just described, they become 

 cat-hammed, if they do not derive that particular 

 mal-conformation from parentage, as before hinted 

 (p. 444), and is more scientifically accounted for in 

 the first chapter of Book I., page 50. Generally 

 it happens that horses so formed are good, easy 

 goers, brisk and active ; but though well adapted 

 for light weights, are utterly incapacitated from 

 undertaking horseman's weight at speed, until they 

 are full mouthed. If heavily mounted, or hard 

 driven early in life, they invariably throw out a 

 curb or spavin. The shoeing-smith frequently 

 contributes to the contraction of bone-spavin with- 

 out knowing it, by turning up the heels of the shoes 

 in frosty weather unevenly. In the same manner, 

 when the inside heel preserves its roughness longer 

 than the outer heel, it is clear that this last must 

 bear lowest, and further contribute to the evil 

 strain that cat-hammed horses are ever liable to, 

 about the hock. 



Symptoms. — Inflammation is scarcely percepti- 

 ble at first, or any other symptom ; and as it is 

 vitally necessary that we should apply the remedy 

 thus early, we must employ the discriminating test 

 described at page 457. If the existence of adhe- 

 sion, which constitutes bone-spavin, be not dis- 

 covered in the manner proposed, the disorder 

 proceeds until it may be perceived upon comparing 

 the hocks together. At first the inflammation is 

 but trivia], when the horse is also lamest ; but when 



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