CAUSES OF UNSOUNDNESS. 121 



in capped-hock. One or both hocks may be affected, 

 and the size of the enlargement varies. Many horse- 

 men look upon capped-hock with considerable sus- 

 picion, believing that it may be taken as evidence 

 that the animal is a kicker in harness. But it may 

 be done in the stable by knocking the points of 

 the hocks against the stall posts, or else done in 

 lying and rising. A frequent cause is kicking during 

 transit by train. If the capped-hock is a recent 

 one, there will be a considerable degree of heat, 

 pain, and swelling about it, whereas, if the disease 

 is of any standing, there is neither heat, nor pain 

 in the part. Capped-hock is capable of arising 

 at any moment, and a horse purchased as sound 

 might be found in this state on arrival. The 

 purchaser must, however, prove that the hock was 

 capped at the time of the sale to him. 



Curb. 



This is a swelling or enlargement two or three 

 inches below the point of the hock, and appears to 

 be the resvilt of a sprain, or some other injury to 

 the ligament running down the back of the hock. 

 A " curb " varies in its size, from that of the finger- 

 nail to a well-marked prominence, readily discernible, 

 when viewed in profile. The slightest convexity 

 can be seen in this manner. Veterinary surgeons 



