SPAVIN. 991 
or cow-hocks. A sickle-hock is not a diseased joint, but it is one 
which the majority of horsemen have stigmatized as very liable to 
become diseased. Weakness, it 
it is only natural to imagine, such 
a malformation indicates; but, 
so far as the author’s experience 
goes, creatures thus formed often 
continue sound when limbs of 
model shape give way. 
It is now our duty to inform the 
reader how to examine a horse for 
spavin. In this operation there 
are four points of view to be taken 
—hbehind the animal, though al- 
ways at a safe distance from the 
heels; in the front, but not close 
to the horse, yet so near that the 
examiner must bend to view the 
hocks between the fore legs; and 
from both the sides. In all these positions, it is prudent now to elongate 
the distance and now to approach nearer; then to move the head about, 
and occasionally to step to the right or to the left. In short, it is advisable 
to get as many different points of sight as possible; for in one, and only 
in one, may a spavin be detected on the hock, which, seen from any other 
spot, shall look perfectly clean. At the same time, from every point 
care should be taken to compare one hock with the other; if the slightest 
difference in point of size can be detected, it is fair to suppose one is 
enlarged by the commencement of disease. Any indication of this sort 
is always to be sought for. The disease may have just begun, but it is 
impossible to say where it may stop. The spavin may be very small; 
yet who can assert its growth is perfected? In the examination for 
spavin, however, allowance should be made for the age of the horse. 
Spavins, in young horses, may be regarded with alarm; in old animals, 
they generally are perfected, and, however large they may be, probably 
they will grow no bigger—on the contrary, as the years increase, they 
are usually diminished, being absorbed; but the bones, once locked 
together, are never subsequently unloosed, although all the swelling 
should entireiy disappear. 
The examination having been up to this point properly performed, 
there is yet another test to be adopted before the animal is trotted forth ; 
here a well-trained and attentive groom is of every value—one who will 
keep on the same side as you may be upon, and who will follow your 
A SICKLE-HOCKED OR COW-HOCKED HORSE. 
