182 



COMMON DISEASES. 



gesting heaves. The flank and lower part of the abdomen must 

 be examined for possible ruptures. 



Stepping behind the horse the two hips are compared for 

 evidences of fractures, or what is commonly known as hipped or 

 hip-shot. This disorder docs not interfere seriously with the 

 horse's working ability, but gives the horse a very awkward ap- 

 pearance and materially lessens the selling value. 



FIG. 67. NAVICULAR DISEASE. (.1/. II. R.) 



1, Normal navicular bone. 



2, Exostosis (bony enlargement") with fracture. 



3, Exostosis with extensive ulceration of the articular surface. 



4, 5, 6, 7, Varying types of exostosis. 



The hocks must be examined for bog and bone-spavins, 

 thoroughpins, and curbs ; and the point of the hock for what is 

 known as capped hock. The same examination is made of the 

 cannon, ankle and pastern as for the front limbs. 



The feet should all be examined for evidences of contraction 

 at the heels; for flatness or convexity of the sole, founder, navicu- 

 lar disease, and other diseases of the feet which are easily recog- 

 nized. Among these should be named quarter and toe-cracks, 

 and serious injuries to the crown of the hoof by sharp caulks. 



In motion. — The horse should be examined while walking 

 and trotting. The movements of the neck and head arc studied 

 as he comes toward the observer; then, as he passes by the move- 

 ments of the limbs are noted as to the height to which they are 

 raised; the bend of the joints, whether easy and natural or other- 

 wise. The way in which the foot lands upon the ground, whether 



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