56 SPEAINS. 



straight. If the case be difficult to decide, the animal's age, style 

 of going, and the form of the other hook, should be carefully con- 

 sidered. As a rule, a horse should not be passed sound, if any 

 abnormal conformation is confined to one hock ; although, had 

 both been symmetrical, yet slightly differing from the usual shape, 

 little, if any, exception might be taken. 



The term " curby-hocks " is an ill-defined expression, sometimes 

 used as synonymous with " sickle hocks," and which then means 

 that the hocks are bent, i.e., that they cannot be straightened out 

 as fully as usual. 



Men wishing to sell a horse with a curb, sometimes try to make 

 out that the swelling is simply the result of a blow. The truth of 

 this assertion may be readily tested by noticing if the swelling is 

 superficial or deep-seated. If of the latter nature, it may be 

 concluded that it is due to the presence of curb. Horses some- 

 times knock their hocks near the seat of this injury when jumping 

 stone walls, or from kicking in harness. 



In severe curb lameness, the animal, to avoid throwing pressure 

 on the inflamed part, may keep the limb raised. 



HEREDITY. — Animals which have suffered from curb, ought 

 not, as a rule, to be used for stud purposes ; for the conformation 

 that renders a hock liable to this injury, is often transmitted to 

 the offspring. 



TREATMENT.— A high-heeled shoe (Fig. 4, p. 27) should be 

 put on, in order to place the part in a state of rest. The rough- 

 and-ready method of applying biniodide of mercury ointment, at a 

 strength of 1 to i, in the first instance, and well rubbed in, is 

 probably the best. By adopting it, the horse will generally be fit 

 for work as soon as the effect of the blister has subsided. A 

 solution of 30 grains of corrosive sublimate to 1 oz. of spirits of 

 wine is preferred by some to the biniodide of mercury application ; 

 but it has the disadvantage of being more liable to blemish than 

 the other. In chronic cases, there is nothing so effective as firing, 

 which may be done in horizontal lines, or Ijy puncture. The plan 

 of fomenting the part, giving a dose of physic, which would be 

 advisable in most cases, and applying a blister when the local heat 

 has disappeared, entails far greater loss of time than the other, 

 and as a rule is not so effective. 



LEGAL ASPECT OF CURB.— Legally, a curb is an unsound- 

 ness whether or not it causes lameness. A horse with a curb may 

 be passed as practically sound, if its presence does not affect his 



