AS TO SOUNDNESS. 159 



CERTIFICATES. 



A good certificate ought to contain three paragraphs, 

 namely : — 



The first to clearly define the horse. 



The second should set forth what is found. 



The third should contain the opinion. 



Example : 



Alphabeta Street, Edinburgh, 



yiene 2nd, 1 8 74. 

 To-day I have examined a chestnut cob gelding, 

 having two white hind stockings, and named Tom, the 

 property of Mr. Squeers, of Dotheboy's Hall, Yorkshire. 

 I find he is six years old : that he has curby hocks ; 

 and has wind-galls on his fore legs. 

 I am of opinion he is sound. 



Flexor T. Endon, M.R.C.V.S. 



The certificate may be regarded as belonging to the 

 horse at the date on which it is written, and your client's 

 name kept out of it. In all cases you must clearly 

 define the horse by his breed, peculiarities, and name 

 (if he have one), and if possible always his present 

 owner's name. In case of disputed ownership, as when 

 a horse is sought to be returned, you may say, " At the 

 request of Mr. So-and-So." If your second paragraph 

 contain mention of a known legal unsoundness, then 

 you have to state in your third paragraph, "The horse 

 is therefore unsound," and leave out the word opinion 



