THE HORSE BUYING AND SELLING. 603 



STRINGHALT is readily detected by the awkward jerk or 

 catch of the leg. It is usually supposed to arise from inflam- 

 mation of the sciatic nerve, or an excess of energy. It may 

 increase to an unsoundness, and while it usually detracts very 

 little from the usefulness of the animal, it injures the sale greatly. 



GREASE, OR SCRATCHES, like cracked heels, usually is caused 

 by bad grooming, or neglect in filthy stables and yards, attended 

 with grass feeding, and want of regular exercise. They argue a 

 low state of the system. When long neglected, they become 

 obstinate, and some horses of a sluggish nature bike on the ail- 

 ment every spring or winter. In case of long standing, it is an 

 unsoundness. If of recent appearance, it can be easily cured, 

 and then the animal is ranked sound. 



SWOLLEN LEGS argue a tendency to dropsy and farcy, and is a 

 sure sign of debility. They are difficult to cure, and horses 

 long afflicted with this are useless for any but slow work. 

 Mild forms of it, called " stocking," appear from long standing 

 still. Young horses are more subject to it from this cause 

 than old ones. Hence the young horse should be allowed the 

 freedom of a box-stall or yard when not in use. It is a symp- 

 tom of weakness, and, in mild form, disappears with exercise. 



ELEPHANTIASIS OR LYMPHANGITIS is kindred to stocking, but 

 an aggravated form of long standing. It is a species of surfeit, 

 showing plethora. It usually appears in one hind leg, sometimes 

 in both. It may develop by the horse standing from Saturday 

 to Monday, when the animal is fat and surfeited. The lym- 

 phatic glands of the leg become inflamed and weak, unable to 

 perform their functions, and the fluid oozes through or infiltrates 

 the cellular tissue and makes the leg like that of the elephant. 

 No cure. 



ENLARGED JOINTS are most common among horses running in 

 the meadows, or those used for hunters. When the enlargement 

 is free from heat, and has become hard and does not interfere 

 with the action and capacity for work, the horse may be con- 

 sidered sound. The enlargement is a blemish. If, however, 

 the joint becomes feverish from hard exercise, it is an un- 

 soundness. 



