DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 277 
enlargement on the inside. When inside and not showing on 
the outside in the form of an enlargement it is called an 
occult spavin. There are high-up and low-down, or what are 
commonly called jack spavins. 
Causes. — Bone spavin is the result of the same conditions 
as those of ringbone. It runs in some breeds to be spavined 
— it is hereditary and makes its appearance for generations, 
hence the necessity for breeding from good, sound stock. 
Although it runs in some breeds, there are other well marked, 
accidental causes, and in these cases breeding from such may 
be done with safety. We refer to such accidents, including 
hard work, as a kick or other injury — severe sprain, etc. — 
which affects the joint. 
Symptoms. — These are clear and easily noticed as a 
general rule. Inquire into the history of the case, how long 
the animal has been lame and how he acts when traveling. 
If the horse steps shorter than natural and strikes the toe first 
in putting down the foot, if he is 
very lam^ in starting off after stand- 
ing for a while, or being kept in the 
stable over night, if he improves 
after going a mile or so, and if the 
farther he goes the less he shows 
the lameness, look for a spavin. If 
there is an enlargement it can easily 
be seen, but if an occult spavin 
there will be no enlargement, mere- 
ly heat and soreness of the parts. 
When these symptoms are present 
it is certain to be a spavin. After a time the muscles of the 
hip on the lame side waste away, because of not being 
properly used. Do not let this symptom mislead as to where 
the lameness is. As the enlargement grows the lameness will 
increase. 
Treatment. — Treat as a ringbone. Try to cause the 
diseased joint to become united and form what is called 
anchylosis of the joint. The soreness and lameness will then 
disappear, but on account of there being no movement in the 
joint, the animal will not have as free use of the leg as he 
had before. He may be very serviceable, however, for a 
number of years after being cured. A high-up spavin is very 
much harder to cure than a low-down or jack spavin, as it 
Fig. 44. — A Bone Spavin. 
