8 PURCHASING FROM THE STABLES. 



amining attentively. A spavin on the head of the 

 splent-bone, on the inner side of the lowermost part 

 of the hock, is often productive of no lameness if situ- 

 ated well forward, not even though it be as large as 

 a marble ; therefore this, although the most frequent 

 seat of spavin, is not so bad as that which lies a little 

 higher up, for here is the principal motion of the hock, 

 and the smallest ossification always causes more or 

 less lameness. You must discover if there is the 

 slightest difference either in the feel or appearance of 

 the hocks in these two places (for a horse is seldom 

 spavined in both hocks in exactly the same manner), 

 and if there is, pause before you conclude the bargain. 

 Should there be any difference on the outside of the 

 hock, blows, lacks, or hurts have most probably pro- 

 duced it, not strains or over work, although spavin is 

 occasionally found in this part likewise.""" 



If the least swelling or enlargement exists in any 

 part of the back of the hock, below the point, 

 which may be detected by carefully observing if they 

 are both alike, you must reject him also ; for this will 

 denote a strain, perhaps a curb. 



CAPPED HOCKS are a great objection ; they proceed 

 from blows, hurts, or contusions from kicking, rarely, 

 it is said, from a strain ; but are apt to enlarge on 

 work. When the hocks are but very slightly capped 

 (for if one is capped the other is generally found so 

 too), they may give the appearance of the bones of 

 the points being long. Don't be deceived in this way, 

 but feel if there is anything like a tumour there. 



* During an experience and practice of twenty-eight years, and during 

 which period I have had thousands of horses through my hands, I have never 

 seen spavin on the outside of the hock, nor do I think any one else. ED. 



