FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



ness of an animal so afflicted, — his age, the size 

 and location of the deposit, the work required, 

 his action and the peculiarities of his gait. Situ- 

 ated close under the knee, or in the form called 

 "pegged," splints almost invariably cause trouble, 

 interfering with articulation (possibly) in the one 

 case, and with the tendons in the other. The 

 very low placed splint is suspicious for the same 

 reason. Any splints on horses under five years 

 old are likely, owing to immaturity of the subject, 

 to cause trouble. A very large splint, wherever 

 situated, is also open to condemnation ; of course 

 for draught purposes, concussion being less, all 

 risks are smaller. High action not only produces 

 but often largely increases any deposit. Many 

 animals that "wind," "paddle," or "dish," will 

 brush a splint so lightly as not to cause a blemish, 

 but will produce an irritation and soreness which 

 results in lameness. Imperfect action is always 

 to be regarded with distrust. 



The presence of spavin — qualified frequently 

 under the complimentary title of " coarse hock " 

 — is becoming astonishingly common, and the 

 number of horses so afflicted which are in daily hard 

 work, and free from conspicuous or troublesome 

 lameness, is remarkable. The true " coarse hock " 



28 



