56 JUDGING HORSES 



hock. It consists of a soft swelling that .may b* 1 pushed 

 from side to side. 



104. Curb. Curb, which occurs just below the hock 

 and to the rear is a thickening of the ligaments in that 

 region. By looking at the leg from the side it may be 

 easily noticed as it is a variation from the straight line 

 which should run from the point of the hock down towards 

 the end of the cannon. 



105. Bone Spavin. The most common trouble of the 

 hocks, and the worst of all, is bone spavin. To detect this, 

 it is best to stand in front of the horse and take a position 

 so that in looking back the inner outline of the hind leg 

 may be seen very clearly. This is a bone deposit which 

 nature has thrown out to strengthen an otherwise weak 

 joint and when it has developed it ties the joint so that it 

 interferes with the proper action of the horse. The hind 

 leg instead of coming down on the heel as it should in a 

 sound limb, is thrown forward so that the toe reaches the 

 ground first and the stride is unnaturally shortened, and 

 lameness frequently results. Occult spavin, that is where 

 the deposit is not aparent to the eye but hidden in the 

 joints, is very hard to determine ; the usual method of de- 

 tection is to lift the suspected leg and then starting the 

 horse quickly observe the result when the foot reaches the 

 ground. Undue shrinkage indicates the presence of spavin 

 in this form. 



106. Bog Spavin. Bog spavin is usually associated with 

 thoroughpin and it is very similar to the latter ; differing 

 from it only in location. In the natural depression that 

 occurs on the inner and front part of the hock, the oil from 

 the joint accumulates and forms a soft swelling commonly 

 known as bog spavin. The term blood spavin is sometimes 

 applied to the enlargement of the vein that passes across 

 the hock from in front. This, however is not an unsound- 

 ness. 



107. Unsound in Wind. After giving all the parts care- 

 ful inspection for soundness, the horse should be driven 



