124 
SPAVIN. 
might have been something peculiar in the construction of their 
limbs to account for this ; at the same time there appeared a more 
than ordinary propensity in their vascular systems to osseous effu- 
sion. Growing young horses, and particularly such as are what 
we call “overgrown,” may be said to be predisposed to spavin, 
simply from the circumstance of the weakness manifest in their 
hocks, as well as other joints. When horses whose frames have out- 
grown their strength, with their long and tender limbs, come to be 
broke — to have weight placed upon their backs at a time when the 
weight of their own bodies is as much as they are able to bear — 
then it is that the joints in an especial degree are likely to suffer, 
and windgall and spavin to be the result. Indeed, under such cir- 
cumstances, spavin, like splent and other mutations of soft and 
elastic tissue into bone, may be regarded as Nature’s means of 
fortification against more serious failures. 
The Hock most disposed to Spavin appears to me to be 
the compact short-pointed hock which is placed at the extremity of 
a short muscular thigh, and upon the top of a lengthy leg. This is 
the kind of hock we frequently see in hunters of good repute, and 
in hackneys valued for their trotting powers ; and consequently 
there may be something in the work the hock is put to, as well as 
in its formation. We do not so frequently observe spavins in 
race-horses, and horses that have lengthy blood-like quarters; 
neither are “ sickle hocks” nor “ cow hocks” thereto disposed : 
this may arise from their experiencing less concussion than hocks 
of another description. After all, however, there is no hock of any 
form or kind that can be said to be exempt from spavin ; and 
many spavins will be found referable to injury which would pro- 
bably have produced them in any hock whatever. The horses of 
the cavalry are of a description which, taking them as a body, are 
disposed to spavin; and, formerly, when the manege and drill 
exercises were a great deal more violent and trying than they are 
at present, a great number of spavined horses might be found 
among them. Since, however, the pace has become moderate, 
and the halts less abrupt, and more time has been given to the 
cavalry recruit horse for the evolution of his natural powers, the 
disease has much abated in prevalence. 
The Exciting Causes of Spavin, after what has been said 
concerning the predisposing, will appear to be fairly inclusible 
under two general heads : — one being, extension, strain, sprain, or 
laceration of the fibrous tissues of the hock ; the other, concussion 
of its joints. Hard galloping or hard trotting, and sudden pulling 
up — springing into the leap or jump — pesading or croupading 
upon the haunches, heavy tugging draft, &c. ; — these are the 
actions most likely to cause such injuries, and they will be, 
