Secret of Hiding a Spavin.
It is an old “gyp” trick to beat one hock-joint with a stick so that it will swell and acquire the same size as the hock unsound from spavin. Caustic solutions injected under the skin at the seat of spavin also smooth the appearance of the joint.
If spavin is suspected, test for it by picking up the hind foot and holding it toward the stifle for two or three minutes so as to tightly shut the hock-joint. Then drop the foot and instantly have the horse trotted. If spavin, apparent or hidden (occult), is present the horse will hop off on three legs, or go much lamer than before.