SOUNDNESS EVALUATION

86- Spavins ( 10 ) [42 ,46]

Basically a disease of the hock, these come in an assortment as Blood, Bog, Bone, and Blind. The names give a clue what to look for. A Bog shows up as a soft swelling with a fluid that moves when pushed with a finger. A Bone is a hard growth. Blood is an enlarged vein. Blind you cannot see. All occur in front, slightly below, or to rear of hock.

To be on the safe side with Spavin, hold up a hind leg at a time towards the belly, with the hock joint well bent for a minute. Release, then have the horse trotted away.

Defaults in conformation prone to Spavin are Sickle Hocks, Cow Hocks, and standing straight in the rear.

87- Capped hock ( 10 ) [79 ]

A Bursitas similar to Capped Elbow, located on the point of the hock, and sometimes accompanied by a Curb. Lameness is mild, and could almost be classified as a blemish, except that this is a result of the horse kicking at a wall or trailer gate, a vice, that by itself should be a reason not to buy.

88- Stifle ( 10 ) Stringhalt, & Shivering [45,63]

Any number of conditions can effect the function of the stifle joint. The most common, a catching, or locking in place, when the hoof is extended towards the rear. The test for this is to stand to the side of the hindquarter, and locking hands as shown in the illustration, quickly pull the leg backwards. Then turn the horse in a short circle toward the limb tested.

As the symptoms of Stringhalt and Shivering are somewhat similar, and intermittent, now is a good time to check these two again. Watch what happens to the hind leg when it is pushed, pulled, walked after being held for a moment, and backed.

89- Lameness of the hip ( 10 ) [43,63]

As with the shoulder, poke and prod for anything sensitive. Look for a difference in appearance of one side of the horse with the other. A Knocked Down Hip looks flat when compared with one that is sound.