366 EXAMINATION OF HORSES AS TO SOUNDNESS 



2. Assuming one or both of these to exist, to what extent, if at all, do 

 they interfere, or are they likely to interfere, with the services of the 

 animal and to depreciate his value? 



Many animals show obvious effects of disease yet are not one whit the 

 worse for it. 



Some while actually suffering from disease are still capable of perform- 

 ing a considerable amount of work without inducing pain, and, although 

 unsound, are in a certain measure useful. 



That form of bony growth on the legs of horses termed " splint" exists 

 almost universally, and in a very large majority of cases the animals so 

 affected pass through life without suffering inconvenience from it after it 

 has formed, and sometimes even when it is of very considerable size; and 

 the same may be said of some other bone tumours. 



A horse having a cataract in his eye would be legally unsound, but for 

 certain purposes might be as serviceable as one whose eyes were of crystal 

 brightness. Numerous other cases of the kind might be adduced, but these 

 will suffice to illustrate what the writer wishes to convey. 



The other class of cases, where serviceableness becomes possible during 

 the existence of actual disease, finds its best illustration in that affection of 

 the breathing organs termed roaring and whistling, in which certain of the 

 muscles, whose office it is to open the entrance to the windpipe, undergo 

 a slowly progressive wasting, during which their action becomes impaired 

 and the free entrance of air to the lung hindered. Here, however, sooner 

 or later work becomes impossible, and the useful animal becomes useless. 



As to whether a horse is " sound " or not is quite beyond the powers of 

 the most able and experienced veterinarian to say. The most he can do is 

 to affirm the absence of any outward visible signs of unsoundness, but so 

 differently are phenomena interpreted by different individuals that even 

 here he is frequently met by contradiction from his equally able confreres. 



PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS 



In proceeding to examine a horse as to soundness, there are certain 

 observations which require to be made before the animal is removed 

 from his stall or box, or in any way interfered with, and it is always 

 desirable during this time to note the general state of the box itself. 



The posture or position in which the horse habitually stands may 

 be of the first importance in directing the course of enquiry, and should 

 be carefully observed. In this connection some regard will be paid to 

 the manner in which the horse disposes of the weight on his limbs. One 

 fore -foot habitually in advance of the other, although not necessarily 



