EXERCISE 72 



BLEMISHES, UNSOUNDNESSES, FAULTS, AND VICES IN HORSES 



Statement. In judging a horse both unsoundness and conformation are vitally important and 

 largely determine the placing the animal receives. Horses have many defects which lessen their value to 

 a greater or less degree. Some of the important defects are listed below. 



i. Blemish. A healed injury of the skin or of the parts immediately underlying it. Example: 

 Scars as a result of wire cuts. 



2. Unsoundness. Any condition that interferes with the animal's usefulness or which will make 

 the animal less useful in the course of time. The following forms are recognized : 



a. Temporary unsoundness. A condition amenable to treatment and without leaving after-effects. 

 Example : Lameness as the result of a nail puncture. 



b. Permanent unsoundness. A condition which interferes with, or may at any time interfere with, 

 the natural usefulness of the animal. Example : a bone spavin. 



c. Serviceably sound. This means that the animal is sound, but may carry a blemish, such as a 

 scar, which does not and will not interfere with its usefulness. 



3. Deject. This term refers more to a bad form with which the animal was born, though at times 

 it may be an acquired condition. Two varieties are usually recognized : 



a. Absolute defect. This may be as serious as an unsoundness and decrease the value of an 

 animal for all forms of service. Example : very narrow chest or small nostrils. 



b. Relative defect. Such a defect disqualifies for certain forms of service only. Examples : a 

 straight shoulder on a horse intended for speed, or a sway-back on a horse intended for carrying heavy 

 loads. 



4. Vices. These are mental rather than physical defects. The term "fault" is sometimes used to 

 designate a mild vice, as halter pulling, while a true vice, such as kicking or running, makes the animal 

 more or less unserviceable or dangerous. 



Object. To recognize the above defects readily. 



Materials. Horses showing examples of the various unsoundnesses and blemishes. 



Directions. Invite the local veterinarian to hold a clinic at the school and ask him to secure typical 

 examples of as many important blemishes and unsoundnesses as possible for student practice in locating 

 and recognizing them. Classify all unsoundnesses as temporary, permanent, and serviceably sound. 

 Classify all defects as absolute or relative. Use the following outline in making your classification : 



X ™F 



xM w- 



Fig. Ho. Types of blemishes, defects, and unsoundness 

 From left to right defects are indicated by x: bog spavin; bone spavin; splint; thoroughpin; curb; ringbone; sidebone. (Courtesy of 



the Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture) 



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