118 HORSE-BREEDING FOR FARMERS CHAP. 
off slowly and then sharply. If the seat of mischief 
is not then detected go through the same process 
with a man on his back, who must st stzll without 
touching his head, for the head often indicates the 
unsound limb. The head drops when the sound 
forefoot is on the ground, and lifts when the lame 
forefoot goes down, in order to put the weight of the 
head and neck on the sound foot. But the order is 
reversed if the horse is lame behind—that is, the 
horse’s head “bobs” on the lame side and lifts on 
the sound. The crupper may also show unsoundness 
by a “ wobbling ” or irregular balancing. 
In shoulder lameness, the leg is lifted and comes 
forward with difficulty with a tendency to “mow” 
or to describe a curve. 
Clean, well-lighted, well-ventilated but not 
draughty stables, clean habits in those attending 
to horses, good food and pure water, will keep 
off most diseases, maintain horses in health, and 
prove true economy. A little extra care in keep- 
ing the litter and bedding dry and sweet, a little 
extra trouble bestowed in grooming and washing 
horses’ feet out, will keep the skin healthy, and 
prevent the risk of thrush and cracked heels and 
many other evils that lead to loss and expense. 
Spavin (Bone Spavin) 
Spavin is a bony enlargement on the inner and 
lower part inside the hock; and the higher up the 
bony deposit is situated the more serious it is. A 
small spavin in an old horse that goes sound may 
be of little consequence, but any appearance in a 
