X] 



THE ORGANS OF LOCOMOTION 



135 



or more of the joints composing the hock. It is commoner in 

 comparatively young than in old horses, and particularly in 

 those having weak or ill-shaped hocks which are placed too far 

 back or taper off too much towards the loA\er extremity. It 

 occurs as a result of high hock action on paved or hard roads, and 

 in Hunters may be caused by the strain of jumping. When 

 anchylosis has taken place lameness frequently ceases, so that the 

 hastening of anchvlosis should be the aim of all treatment. 



Fig. 64. Photo of spavin. 



Sometimes however the inflammatory action extends to 

 the astragalus and damages the articular cartilage of the true 

 joint. These cases are incurable. 



Splints generally occur on the side of the cannon bone of the 

 fore leg, or between the cannon and splint bones. They are 

 much more common on the inside of the limb and are 

 generally restricted to the upper third of the bone. They may 

 occur so high as to involve the knee joint, causing lameness. 

 They are not so common in the corresponding positions on the 

 hind leg but may occasionally occur. Like other exostoses they 

 result from inflammation. They are sometimes brought about 



