. AS TO SOUNDNESS. 125 
¢ 
leading symptom. And yet some attach much import- 
ance to it. If the toe of thé hind shoe is more worn 
than common it may be from 
1, Spavin causing pain and stiffness. 
2. Spavin causing stiffness but no pain. 
3. Slight contraction of hind tendons and ligaments. 
4. Habitual “ near” action. \ 
- There are other causes, but if you are satisfied that other 
“causes than spavin will cause the toe of the shoe to be 
— unduly worn, then it is at best only a symptom and needs 
‘mhuch further evidence. Some horses with good clean 
hocks are. very liable to wear their shoes at the toe, and 
you must not forget that the hind shoe is always worn 
more in this situation, and that shoeing smiths, always 
make extra provision for it by putting an extra quantity 
of iron in this part or upon it. When however the toe of 
the foot itself is worn, then the defective action is very 
pronounced ; but still, this is a symptom and not a sign 
-of spavin. I cannot too strongly impress upon you the 
advantage of the sense of touch on which nine-tenths of 
your evidence should be placed. Throughout my pro- 
fessional life there is one operation for the cure of spavin 
which has always been a favourite with mé, believing as I 
do that it is almost a certainty that a three months’ rest 
in a loose box will of itself “cure” spavin ; and I should 
met mention it here except to warn you that this opera- 
‘tion is performed on the sownd hock to induce an enlarge- 
ment over the seat of spavin so as to make both hocks 
