18 



MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



Thoroughpin occurs between the tendon and the upper point 

 of the hock. It consists of a soft swelling and may be easily 

 detected, as it can be pushed from side to side. 



Spavin. — There are three kinds of spavin — bone, bog, and 

 occult. Bone-spavin is the most common, and consists of a 



bony growth on the inside and 

 front of the hind leg just below 

 the hock. To detect bone- 

 spavin, stand in front and to the 

 side of the animal so the inner 

 outline of the hind leg may be 

 clearly seen. Bog-spavin occurs 

 in the natural depression on the 

 inner and front part of the hock 

 and consists of a soft swelling, 

 formed by the oil, which accumu- 

 lates from the joint. The term 

 "blood spavin" is sometimes 

 applied to the enlargement of the vein that passes across the 

 hock from the front. Occult-spavin is located in the joint and 

 is hard to detect. The usual method of detection is to lift the 

 suspected leg and then start the horse off quickly. 



Stringhalt is a marked jerking of the hind leg as the horse 

 travels. In some cases it is seen only when the horse first starts 

 and disappears after a few steps have been taken. 



Curb occurs on the back of the cannon just below the hock. 

 It may be easily detected by looking at the leg from the side, 

 as it is a variation from a straight line that should run from 

 the point of the hock to the fetlock joint. 



Forging and overreaching. — A horse is said to forge when 

 the shoes of the hind feet strike those of the fore feet, 

 making a characteristic sound. Overreaching is the striking 

 of the fore and hind feet in such a way as to injure the 

 horse. 



Fig. 20. — Peecheron Stallion 

 "Coco." A noted prize winner. 



