Foot and Limb Troubles. 2o7 



lower part of the internal side of the hock joint. The 

 more serious bone spavins are those affecting the upper 

 row of hock bones situated towards the front of the joint 

 and affecting animals over six years old. Coarse hocks 

 may exist, and if no lameness and both are alike should 

 not be condemned. The result of this disease is often 

 stiffening of the joint. The causes of spavin are bad con- 

 formation, sprains, excessive work of the hind limbs, 

 result of jumping, high school work, tying in below the 

 hocks; this disease is sometimes seen in cattle and sheep. 

 Spavin is in many cases easily detected, due to the 

 enlargement, being accompanied by lameness, which is 

 characterized by a shortening of the stride, dragging of 

 the toe, which is unnaturally worn as a consequence, 

 lameness, which the horse will warm out of, but if stood 

 up for twelve to twenty-four hours will show quite 

 markedly, if recent there may be heat of the parts and 

 no enlargement, in fact in that form known as occult 

 (hidden) spavin no enlargement is shown at all. To de- 

 tect the enlargement the examiner should stand in front 

 and a little to the outside of the fore leg of the same side 

 as the hock to be examined, the hock should present a 

 somewhat wedge-shaped appearance, the base being up- 

 wards, by placing one's self in a similar position by the 

 other fore leg the other hock is seen and a comparison 

 made, the only safe way to detect the enlargement; if 

 suspected the examiner may flex (close the joint) the 

 hock up tightly and have the animal trotted off quickly, 

 which, if affected, will limp j)erceptibly. The hocks 

 should also be felt with the hands, the off hock with the 

 left palm, etc. The treatment is preventive and cura- 



