216 JUDGING JACKS, JENNETS, AND MULES 



the synovial sacs and the entrance of foreign matter, resulting 

 in an acute inflammation or synovitis. This form of lame- 

 ness can usually be very easily detected, and the cause 

 recognized. It is very serious under all circumstances, and 

 frequently results in loss of the animal. 



Curb. — This is a result of an injury or strain at the back 

 of the hock-joints, and is characterized at first by a hot, 

 sensitive swelling just back of the lowest part of the hock- 

 joint. After the period of swelling and inflammation sub- 

 sides, there is apt to remain a hard tumor, particularly on 

 what is known as curby hocks. In cases of young animals 

 given proper treatment the remaining enlargement may be 

 very slight or may practically disappear. 



Capped Hock. — Capped hock is not usually a cause or 

 condition of lameness; but is mentioned for other reasons. 

 This is an unusual prominence at the point of the hock, 

 produced by bruises. Some horses get it by backing against 

 the stalls, so that they injure the point of the hock. Other 

 cases are produced in car shipments, or from a natural 

 tendency. The first swelling may usually be reduced by 

 prompt treatment, but it returns with very slight provoca- 

 tion, and after several attacks is likely to be permanent. 

 This abnormality does not injure horses for actual use, but 

 it is unsightly, and materially reduces the sale value. 



Shoe Boil. — This appears as an enlargement in the point 

 of the elbow or superior extremity of the ulna. It is very 

 similar to capped hock in cause, character, and subsequent 

 history. Shoe boils are unsightly and injure sale, but do not 

 usually cause lameness. 



Other Important Examinations. — The poll should be 

 examined for evidences of enlargement, roughness or scars, 

 which are the result of fistula or poll evil. The poll and 

 back of the ears should be examined for sitfasts, due to 

 pressure from the bridle or halter. If the sitfast has been 

 present an animal is likely to ofFer some resistance when 

 the hand is passed over the region of the trouble. 



Ears. — The ears in a well-bred animal should be lean, 

 clean, and covered with soft, fine hair. The ears should be 

 freely movable, this being a good index to temperament. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



