128 EXAMINATION OF HORSES 
When both hocks have been ‘causticked, and only one 
of them has had a spavin, and the incisions have both 
been behind and below the spavin place, you will still 
have the two cicatrices and enlargements over the seat 
‘of spavin in one or other if not both hocks. Indeed 
I scarcely see how you can be deceived, after you have 
once had your suspicions awakened, and your minds 
educated what to look for. Firing is always obvious. 
Setons, to be of use, it is thought, ought to remain in 
three weeks, and if so, you have thickened cicatrices 
in two places—above and beneath the spavin place. 
Blistering leaves the hair stronger over the place, if it 
does nothing further. The hair is seen not to lie well 
over the parts. There is nothing in the way of active 
treatment for spavin that does not leave evidences, 
always to be found when looked for by one who knows: 
what to look for. a 
We frequently come across clean hocks that have been 
fired ; hocks having not the faintest trace of spavin; then 
what are we to do? What I have always done, when the. 
horse is sound in other respects and has well-formed 
hocks, has been to pass the horse without even a 
comment on the firing marks. Some really practical 
veterinarians, in firing a spavined hock, fire—but more 
slightly—its fellow hock at the same time, although it 
may have no spavin ; because, they say, horses so often_ 
throw out spavin on the sound hock during the time the 
fired, spavined hock is being pained and rested, on 
account .of their resting too much on the sound leg at 
