424 SOUNDNESS. 



Curb constitutes unsoundness while it lasts, and perhaps while 

 the swelling remains, although the inflammation may have sub- 

 sided ; for a horse that has once thrown out a curb is, for a while 

 at least, very liable to do so again, to get lame in the same place 

 on the slightest extra exertion ; or, at all events, he would there 

 first fail on extraordinary exertion. A horse, however, is not re- 

 turnable, although he should spring a curb five minutes after the 

 purchase ; for it is done in a moment, and does not necessarily in- 

 dicate any previous unsoundness or weakness of the part. =^ 



Cutting, as rendering a horse liable to serious injury of the 

 legs, and indicating that he is either weak, or has an awkward- 

 ness of gait inconsistent with safety, produces, rather than this, 

 unsoundness. Many horses go lame for a considerable period 

 after cutting themselves severely ; and others have dropped Irom 

 the sudden agony, and endangered themselves and their riders. 

 As some doubt, however, exists on this subject, and as it is a very 

 material objection to a horse, cutting, when evid nt, should have 

 its serious consequences provided against by a special warranty.! 



Enlarged Glands. — The enlargement of the glands under thf^ 

 jaw has not been so raiuch considered as it ought to have been in 



13 to whether it constitutes unsoundness or not, which is not to be wondered at, 

 seeing that many crib-biters will perform their work for many years without 

 hindrance or inconvenience. Crib-biting is now, however, regarded as an 

 unsoundness, on the principle that though at the present time the horse may 

 be equal to his work, yet, at a future period, it may render him unequal to 

 its performance, by causing indigestion, loss of flesh, and weakness. It is 

 better that the question should be thus set at rest, as the value of the ani 

 mal is very materially diminished by being a crib-biter, which is owing not 

 80 much to real injury, as to the disagreeable habit, and to the fact that if 

 the animal is in a stable with other horses, they are very likely to learn the 

 habit. 



Wind-suching must come under the same rules as crib-biting, which re- 

 sembles it so far as the swallowing of air is concerned, the animal, howeverj 

 being enabled to do it without the necessity of laying hold of the manger. 



* Note by Mr. Spooner. — Curb constitutes unsoundness, unless it is well 

 known that the horse has stood the ordeal of work for some months since 

 the curb was thrown out, or any treatment adopted for it. As this infor- 

 mation, however, can seldom be satisfactorily obtained, the possible effects 

 of a curb should be guarded against by a special warranty. 



f Note by Mr. Spooner. — We cannot agree with the text in considering 

 this an unsoundness. It is a visible defect, and therefore can readily be 

 observed, and pointed out, and objected to, in proportion to the amount 

 of the evil which may be very severe and unlikely to be remedied, or 

 slight, and owing either to improper shoeing, or youth, awkwardness, or 

 weakness. To consider it, therefore, as an unsoundness, there being neither 

 alteration of structure nor function, would be to open the door to perpetual 

 disputes, and render the alr.eady vexed question of soundness still more 

 vexatious. At the same time, if the cutting is considerable, and evidently 

 arises from naturally defective action, and is of such a nature as not to ad 

 jnit of a remedy, we should noi hesitate, in such a case, to pronounce the 

 animal unsound. 



