THE SKELETON. 67 



of tlioso in-pguliirities, liave to sustain increased 

 strain ami are therefore most exposed to ruin, tlieu 

 there is a disposition to that defect. In this case, 

 ue may call it a necessmij defect. On the other side, 

 blemishes not resulting from the structure, but 

 brought about by casual injury, by overburdening 

 or false distribution of the weight on the part of 

 the rider, we may designate as casual defects. 



If a horse, whose weak fore legs succumbed un- 

 der the throng of a superior hiudhand, shows en- 

 largement of the tendons, galls, or crooked knees, 

 then such blemishes will be necessary ones. If we 

 find the same blemishes on a favorably built fore- 

 hand, and which is perhaps superior to the hind- 

 hand, we may consider them as the results of casual 

 events or brought about by a bad rider. They 

 may not reappear in future. We see how diffei-ently 

 we have to judge the same blemish on two difl'erent 

 horses, how erroneous it is to regard every defect 

 as serious and to insist on buying only a horse free 

 of any blemish. 



The greatest skill, in judging horses, consists in 

 letting pass a blemish at the right time. Never 

 scruple about casual defects, not rendering the 

 animal unserviceable, but take good care never to 

 buy a horse affected with- a necessary defect, even if 

 ever so little developed. Examine carefully the 



