CHAPTER V 



Strains of the fetlock joint are almost invariably 

 productive of such decided lameness, that even the 

 knavery of a professed horse-chanter is at fault to 

 hide it. Sometimes, however, partial cures have 

 been effected, though not to that degree that the 

 horse becomes safe for the saddle, or qualified for 

 severe work, even in harness. I believe that the 

 disease consists in the fracture of a small ligament ; 

 but neither the cause nor the cure of it is my present 

 inquiry, but what perceptible traces of it may be ex- 

 pected. If the horse does not show lame, I know of 

 no other test by which to try him than the compara- 

 tive size of his two legs at this joint ; and, as it must 

 be a well practised eye that can discover a differ- 

 ence, unless too conspicuous to allow the horse to be 

 offered as sound, there is no other course than mea- 

 suring the joints with a straw, as I before recom- 

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