AS TO SOUNDNESS. 



of the horse it hivariably leaves behind it permanent and 

 observable pathological changes, such as alterations in 

 shape, and in quality of texture of the horny box, or it 

 leaves a badly balanced vascular system within this 

 structure. The altered physical conditions of the horny 

 box are — 



1. Laminated, shelly, diverging rings round the hoof. 



2. Diminished convexities of sole. 



There are others, but these are the most constant and 

 obvious. Should the feet we are now considering have 

 these two altered conditions, of course we have no doubt 

 in condemning the horse as unsound. Suppose we have 

 sound-looking feet, no matter of what size, we can at all 

 times test their vascular system by a battering canter on 

 a hard road. This will tax the capacities of the vascular 

 mechanism to its utmost, and it is only a vascular 

 mechanism that has never been damaged that can, after 

 such an ordeal, immediately resume a quiescent state. 

 After the canter tie up the horse in a cool shade for 

 twenty minutes, then trot him slowly in hand. If he has 

 had inflammation in his feet you will now find that he 

 goes on his heels and picks up each foot as soon as he 

 puts it down, or, as horsemen say, he will go "feely, Uke 

 a cat on hot bricks." You will alL no doubt, have ex- 

 perienced the painful and highly unpleasant jar or sting 

 when leaping from a height and alighting flat on your 

 feet when they are hot and swollen. The horse no doubt 

 feels this on moving, and this is why he goes on his heels* 



