206 JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



the use of the horse. In the early stages the lameness may 

 be intermittent, the horse having spells of going lame, then 

 appearing sound for a time, again lame, etc. But as the 

 disease develops, lameness finally becomes permanent. Few 

 cases of this disease recover. 



Cocked ankle or knuckling, is a partial dislocation of the 

 pastern or fetlock joint, in which case the pastern becomes 

 more perpendicular than usual, throwing the joint forward 

 out of natural position. This is not always an unsoundness, 

 but is a defect, in that it causes stumbling and clumsy 

 action. 



A Quittor is a running wound, comparable with the fis- 

 tula, and is located at the hoof head. It is due to injury 

 to the inner structure of the hoof, such as might come from 

 a bruise, nail prick, injury to the frog, etc. There is swell- 

 ing, heat and pain at the seat of the trouble, associated with 

 pronounced lameness. Openings will occur at the hoof 

 head, where pus may escape. 



Thrush is due to the horn in and about the frog becoming 

 soft and porous, permitting infection. If the horse stands 

 in a damp stable, or under moist and unsanitary conditions, 

 thrush may occur. Dark pus of an offensive character 

 exudes about the frog. This is not an unsoundness, but is 

 a diseased condition that is quite common, and easily cured 

 in a sanitary stable where the affected parts are pared away 

 and disinfectants applied. 



Capped hock is a puffed-out condition at the point of 

 the hock, and is usually due to a blow against this part. 

 Horses that are shipped under close quarters often kick 

 and so cause capped hocks. The point of the hock accumu- 

 lates some fluid and, by treatment, this may in many cases 

 be absorbed and the hock take on a normal character. 

 Often, however, severe cases are incurable. A capped hock 

 is a blemish, rather than an unsoundness. 



Fistula is an abscess of more or less depth at the withers. 

 Swelling of the part, accompanied by fever, and the exuda- 

 tion of pus occurs. Some cases of fistula are very deep- 



