230 



The Diseases of Animals 



as high as possible, then held in this position for a 

 few minutes, and then the horse is started at once into 

 a sharp trot, the lameness will 

 be found to be more severe. 



A careful examination of the 

 inside of the hock-joint, either by 

 feeling or comparing it with the 

 other joint, will show an enlarge- 

 ment, or bunch, that may vary 

 in size, according to circum- 

 stances. The size of the bunch 

 does not indicate the severity of 

 the disease. The most severe 

 cases of spavin (occult) may oc- 

 cur without any bunch or en- 

 largement. When standing, the 

 horse usually rests the spavined 

 leg by carrying the foot slightly 

 forward and bending the hock- 

 joint a little. Figs. 43, 44. 



In treating spavins, the ob- 

 ject is to hasten the welding to- 

 gether of the joints. In order 

 to do this, all movement in the 

 joint is to be stopped as far as 

 possible. If the joint is badly 

 inflamed, reduce the inflammation 

 by fomentations of hot water, ap- 

 plied two or three times daily for twenty minutes at a 

 time. A high-heeled shoe should be applied, to prevent 

 straining the joint. The heel of the shoe should be 



Fig. 43. Bone-spavin, shown 

 at the arrow. 



