IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. ^ 351 



in 1830, it appeared that tlie horse was suhject to 

 ophthalmia, and no doubt was expressed as to this 

 amounting to unsoundness : the only question at 

 issue being, whether the disease existed at the time 

 of sale, or had been brought on by the mismanage- 

 ment of the plaintiff's servant. 



The vice of crih-hiting was fully discussed in 

 Broennenburg v. Haycock, Holt, N. P. C. 630. Mr. 

 Justice Burroughs, before whom the cause was tried, 

 said that he considered it a mixed case of law and 

 fact. "It is," says his lordship, " a mere accident, 

 arising from bad management in the training of the 

 horse ; and it is no more connected with unsoundness 

 than starting or shying." 



I can find no other authority upon the point; and 

 as I do not know what veterinary evidence was given 

 on the trial, I cannot guess whether his lordship is 

 wrong as a lawyer, or as a farrier. I have not a doubt 

 in my own mind, that crib-biting constitutes unsound- 

 ness, so long as the doctrine is held to be law, that in- 

 dications of approaching disease fall under that term. 

 A crib-biter will never retain his condition; and a horse 

 that will not retain his condition, is never fit for con- 

 stant work. Veterinary surgeons are divided as to 



