springhalt (springhalt)

[Also, corruptly, string - halt; convulsive movement of the muscles of either hind leg in the horse, by which the leg is suddenly and unduly raised from the ground and lowered again with unnatural force; also, the nervous disorder on which such movements depend, and the resulting gait. One would take it, That never saw 'em pace before, the spavin Or springhalt reign'd among 'em. 5865